Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Wirehaired Fox Terrier and the Smooth Fox Terrier were for over 100 years the same breed of dog. Now it is believed that they are two separate breeds with two separate ancestry. It is an English creation with Dachshunds, Fox Hound, English Hounds, and Beagle in their background. It is also believed that the Wales, Durham and Derbyshire extinct rough-coated black and tan working terrier. The white terrier breeds that exist today are related to the Fox Terrier. In addition, it is recognized that terrier breeds of today such as the Jack Russel, the Rat Terrier, and the Miniature Fox Terrier are descendants of the Fox Terrier.

They are one of the oldest of the terrier breeds dating back to the 17tth century in the British Isles. They were primarily farm dogs guarding against the fox and vermin. Like any terrier they go to ground – digging, growling, barking and lunging at the den until the animal comes out and the farmer killed it. The breed was made popular in England through their living with royalty. The Nots Kennel had a lot to do with this as well. King Edward VII’ Wire Fox Terrier came from the Notts Kennel. The Best Champion of Crufts in 1911 was a Wire Fox Terrier, and Queen Victoria had one as well. The Wire Fox Terrier finally became a family dog in the 1930’s. During this time there were feature movies and comic strips that feature a Wire Fox Terrier, such as The Thin Man and The Adventures of Tintin.

The late 1900’s saw the population moving off the farms, out of the country and into the cities. This caused a decline in the popularity of the breed. Keeping terriers born to hunt in the city proved a challenge in the beginning. Their popularity is influenced as well by the breeds success in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York – second only to the Crufts Dog Show in England. Adding to their early success at Crufts, the Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed has won more Westminster Best in Show than any other with 14. Only five dogs have won at Westminster more than once and one of those is a Wirehaired Fox Terrier. A Smooth Fox Terrier won it three times.

The Franzuskaya Bolonka in France is known as the Tsvetnaya Bolonka in Russia and in Germany as the Bolonka Zwetna. All of these translate to Colored Bolognese. It is known as the “Pride of Russia” and was rediscovered by the Russians following the thaw of the Cold War. It is also sometimes translated as a colored lapdog.

The Bolonka is a rare breed in the toy category with ancestors in the Bichon Friese line. This little dog looks very much like the national dog of Cuba – the Havanese. In addition to the Bichon other small dogs in this ancestral line include the Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle, and Pekingese as well as the French, Italian and German Bolonka. They are often confused with the Bolognese as both breeds appear in various countries and have many similarities.

In all countries the common name for this dog is the Bolonka. They have a variety of names and nick names depending on the country. In addition to being the “Pride of Russia” he is called a Russian colored Bichon, Czechs call it the Bareyny Bolonsky, the Germans since 1980 have called it the Bolonka Zwetna but the Nordic Kennel Union does not recognize the Zwenta only the Russian Twetnaya.

The French version is seen to be the original with its ancestry dating back to the 18th century when Russian nobles were presented with a Bolonka by Louis XIV of France, and others migrated with the army of Napoleon to Russia. They were still known as the Bolonka of France. Small dogs were not popular in Russia due to the need for dogs that could work on farms and/or hunt. Particularly during the Soviet years, they were considered unnecessary. No Bolonkas were imported to Russia during the Soviet regime, so only localized breeding took place. The goal of breeders in the Soviet Union was to develop a toy dog, lap sized with an apartment living temperament.

During the cold war the Russians sent a pair of breeding Franzuskaya Bolonka to East Germany and they began to develop the breed there as well. At the same time the colored versions of the Bolonka were being bred. The Franzuskaya Bolonka is recognized by the Verband Dur Das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDF) while the other colored breeds are not. The white Bolonka is not recognized by the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale as a breed separate from the Bolognese but as simply another version. Individual clubs throughout the world recognized one or more versions of the Bolonka. They are thought to be the rarest within the Bichon family.

Today’s Bolonka is owed by Prince William and Princess Kate, giving the breed more publicity than it has had in many years.

The Wirehaired Fox terrier is a sturdy dog with features quite similar to the Smooth Fox Terrier. It is symmetrical with a short back, round, dark eyes, a body that is shorter and ears that are v-shaped. He is medium sized with a flat skull that narrows as it approaches the nose. The nose is black, and the muzzle also tapers to it. The breed has a high, docked tail outside the United Kingdom. The tail is natural in the United Kingdom. They don’t have a broad or narrow chest, but it is deep. Laid back shoulders and a short back are signs of good breeding. Their legs are strong, and their feet have tough, cushioned pads.

The Franzuskaya Bolonka is neither heavy boned nor fine boned. They are a toy breed with a moderate bone structure. The ears are neither long nor short and they have tails that touch the back at the tip. Like others in the Bichon family the Franzuskaya Bolonka does not shed. He is a sturdy little dog and the male has a distinct beard and moustache that the females of the breed do not. They have long coats that are wavy and curly. The Franzuskaya Bolonka is of course only white. The Russian version might be brown, red, black, wolf-gray, gray and of course white.

Children friendliness

The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is good with children but if teased and frustrated he could bite. Children should know how to play with them and not to tease them.

Special talents

He is great at performing tricks, tracking, agility, watch dog, competitive hunting or field trials.

Adaptability

The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is quite adaptable and can live anywhere. He is not a big dog but remember he is very high energy.

Learning ability

The breed is very smart but being independent thinkers, they can be difficult to train at times. Consistency and patience are needed when training the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. They get bored easily and if training sessions are not fun you will lose them. This is a breed that loves people but need constant supervision and companionship.

Children friendliness

The Bolonka is great with kids, just avoid too intense play.

Special talents

The Bolonka is a playful, lap dog with a lot of love to offer

Adaptability

Good adaptability great in the city in apartments and great in the country as well

Learning ability

They are very smart and love to learn. Being firm but beyond firm is also kind.

This is basically a healthy breed, but there are some potential issues that could arise:

1. Cataracts
2. Causes a cloudiness and can cause blindness
3. Luxating Patellas
4. “Floating Kneecaps” – dislocated kneecaps. Causes lameness and arthritis
5. Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome
6. Causes a very serious muscle loss in the dog’s legs
7. Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
8. Causes lameness and arthritis
9. Epilepsy
10. Causes seizures
11. Shoulder Dislocation
12. Causes pain and arthritis
13. Mast Cell Tumors
14. Cancer – could be fatal
15. Post Nasal Drip
16. Just annoying
17. Deafness

This is possible in white terriers

The Franzuskaya Bolonka is susceptible to dental issues as well as

1. Luxating Patella
2. Can cause lameness and arthritis
3. Hip Dysplasia
4. Can cause lameness and arthritis
5. Liver Shunts
6. Serious and sometimes fatal bypassing of the liver by the circulatory system
7. Thyroid Issues
8. Difficult to diagnose but easy to treat with medication
9. Corneal Abrasions

Medical issues are not fully documented because of the rarity of the breed and the years of isolation in the Soviet Union.

Feeding the puppy

Give them two meals maybe three per day. Total food per day divided into the number of meals is 1/8-1/4 cup day.

Feeding the adult

Once again feed one-two meals per day and don’t overfeed. Total of ½ cup day

Games and Exercises

Being a terrier, the Wirehaired Fox Terrier needs a lot of exercise. He is energetic and playful. He loves to play ball, take interesting walks, and play in fenced areas. He needs to be in either a fenced area or on a leash as he will chase any small animal that he sees moving. But if you leave him unsupervised in a fenced area, don’t forget he is a terrier. He is likely to dig under or climb over a fence that isn’t entirely secure.

He loves earth dog trials, agility, tracking, hunting, flyball, and running. He hardly ever walks. He can play ball chasing for hours if you let him. Exercise is bonding for you and your Wirehaired Fox Terrier.

Feeding the puppy

Feed at least 3 meals a day. Feed one fourth of a cup daily split into three meals of a high quality puppy food.

Feeding the adult

Feed at least 2 meals per day. Feed one half of a cup daily split into two meals of a high quality dry food.

Points for Good Health

Fairly healthy breed due to isolation during cold war

Games and Exercises

The Franzuskaya Bolonka is developed as a lap dog but that does not mean he doesn’t need daily exercise. He loves to play but play gently and not for any length of time. They like to chase balls, play hide and seek and any tricks you want to teach them.