Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison

Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed ComparisonSmooth Haired Weimaraner is originated from Germany but Franzuskaya Bolonka is originated from France. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may grow 43 cm / 17 inches higher than Franzuskaya Bolonka. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may weigh 35 kg / 78 pounds more than Franzuskaya Bolonka. Both Smooth Haired Weimaraner and Franzuskaya Bolonka has almost same life span. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may have more litter size than Franzuskaya Bolonka. Both Smooth Haired Weimaraner and Franzuskaya Bolonka requires Low maintenance.

History

smooth haired weimaraner - historyThe Smooth Haired Weimaraner is a beautiful silvery-grey dog that was once bred for hunting way back in the 19th century.

He has always been described as an all-purpose gun dog bred from crossing different German and French hunting dogs with the Bloodhound.

History of this dog dates back to 1897. This is when a club was formed in Germany for the breed.

franzuskaya bolonka - historyThe 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.

Description

smooth haired weimaraner puppy - descriptionThe lean, well muscled Smooth Haired Weimaraner is athletic to look at, brimming with energy and vitality. The coat is smooth and short and is a magnificent steel grey to silver coat which even tends to be a blue-grey color.

The short coat makes the dog low maintenance. He is also a low shedding dog. He is a medium to large sized dog standing at between 57 and 70cm in height and weighing in the region of 25 to 40kg.

The tail has always been docked, giving him that distinctive, dignified appearance. The tail then measures about 6 inches in length.

These dogs are also excellent water dogs with their webbed paws. The ears of the dog are medium length and floppy and the eyes are light amber or a blue-grey color.

Temperament:

You just have to look at the Smooth Haired Weimaraner and you can see how he just loves being with his human owner all the time, so much so that he is known for separation anxiety. Sometimes he can become so distraught separated from his owner that he can even injure himself trying to reach his owner. Being separated for too long can cause him anxiety issues.

Certainly this dog is going to need the right kind of training and socialization to calm him. They’re also full of energy too and are going to require a good amount of exercise.

franzuskaya bolonka puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Characteristics

smooth haired weimaraner dog - characteristicsYour distinctive silvery-grey Weimaraner with his velvety ears and striking eyes is such a loving dog, desiring to be with his human family as much as possible.

They are also good with children. Their loving nature and eagerness to please will ensure that you have a fully integrated 4 legged family member in your home who wants to be involved with everything you're busy with.

Children friendliness

franzuskaya bolonka dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Health Problems

smooth haired weimaraner puppies - health problemsThere are some common dog illnesses that most dog owners fear, and hip dysplasia is one. Fortunately the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals tells us that Weimaraners aren’t prone to this dysplasia the way some dogs are.

One cause for concern however is bloat, and as a deep chested dog breed, the Short Haired Weimaraner can be prone to this life threatening illness.

Known also as gastric torsion, the stomach swells up and the dog becomes lethargic and restless. Immediate veterinary intervention is required. One way to diminish your dog’s chances of getting bloat is to rather feed him two smaller meals a day as opposed to one large meal.

Also, skin allergies are fairly common with these dogs. If redness appears on the skin or the skin is dry and itchy with a rash and he is losing his hair, you may well need to get your pet to the vet. It is why we always recommend giving your pet some raw meat added to the diet and this can help to prevent skin allergies.

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

franzuskaya bolonka puppies - health problemsMedical issues are not fully documented because of the rarity of the breed and the years of isolation in the Soviet Union.

Caring The Pet

Training:

smooth haired weimaraner dogs - caringEvery dog, especially the Smooth Haired Weimaraner with his anxiety issues, should be trained and socialized, and these dogs are easy to train because they’re intelligent and they want to please.

Grooming:

The short silvery coat simply requires a good brush-down twice a week to remove the few loose hairs there are. Even if you don’t need to brush him, just do it because of the type of dog the Weimaraner is.

He loves the closeness of owner and dog. It’s a good time to check him over for ticks and fleas, to feel for unusual lumps, to look inside his ears for signs of infection, to check his eyes too, that they’re bright and clear.

Diet:

If you feed your Smooth Haired Weimaraner commercially manufactured dog food, it needs to be one of the best ones with fairly high protein content. If feeding kibble, you can enhance the food by adding in some tasty home-made food. The Weimaraner’s stomach is easily upset so you want to add in easily digestible home-made food free of exotic spices and richness.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. Your Weimaraner will love such simple, good food and you can add a little to his dry kibble twice a week.

Also important is to add in some raw meat as this ensures a healthy skin. Make sure he has a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

Feeding the puppy

franzuskaya bolonka dogs - caringFeed 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Germany
France
Height Male:
57 - 70 cm
22 - 28 inches
22 - 27 cm
8 - 11 inches
Height Female:
57 - 70 cm
22 - 28 inches
18 - 24 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
1 - 3
Size:
Large dog
Toy dog
Other Names:
Weim, Grey Ghost
Bolonka Zwetna, Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, , Russian Lapdogs
Colors Available:
Silvery Grey
white
Coat:
Short, sleek and smooth
curly, wavy
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  3. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Irish Setter - Breed Comparison
  4. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Bracco Italiano - Breed Comparison
  5. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Portuguese Pointer - Breed Comparison
  6. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Perdiguero de Burgos - Breed Comparison
  7. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Irish Red and White Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Pachon Navarro - Breed Comparison
  9. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Grand Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  10. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  11. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac - Breed Comparison
  12. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  13. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Braque Francais (Gascogne Type) - Breed Comparison
  14. Spanish Pointer vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  15. Spinone Italiano vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  16. Talbot vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  17. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  18. Weimaraner vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  19. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  20. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  23. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  24. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  25. Morkie vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  26. Havanese vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  27. Pekingese vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  28. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  29. Russian Toy Terrier vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  30. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  32. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  33. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  35. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  36. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  37. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  38. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  39. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  40. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  41. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  42. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  43. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  44. Phalene vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  45. Shih Tzu vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  46. Silky Terrier vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  47. Snorkie vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  48. Toy Bulldog vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  49. Toy Mi-Ki vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds