“I don't know. I just call her Precious,” was Cindy’s comment when we got one of our first Coton puppy and the veterinarian asked her name. She was in for her first health checkup after arrival to her new home. The vet was not familiar with the breed, and she and Cindy were discussing the breed’s looks and temperament. “Precious” about sums up how we feel about our Cotons and the Italian Bolognese dogs. They are precious, sweet, and THE MOST loving dogs we know! They truly are “our darling dogs”.
We have been friends for over 20 years and have had many adventures together, but one of the most rewarding has been raising Coton de Tulear and Italian Bolognese dogs. After breeding her pet Yorkie, and enjoying the puppies, Cindy suggested one day, “We should consider raising a rare breed dog.” Thus, began the search. We wanted one with no genetic defects; it had to be small, adorable, and we didn't want to cut off any ears or tails or anything. After much research we found the Coton de Tulear and the Italian Bolognese. Both were perfect and we purchased our puppies and began the experience of rare breed dog owners and breeders. A little later, Sarah, Cindy’s daughter, decided to
raise a couple of puppies too, since she enjoyed her mom’s puppies so much. Now
we all have a few females and share our males.
What fun we've had! In the words of one of our customers, “These aren't dog-dogs. These are babies, companions, the sweetest dogs in the world.” And we agree!
We both live on acreages and we give our dogs lots of attention.They live in our homes and have access to big yards everyday.They come and go as they want and receive affection and love from us, our kids, and grandkids! When you receive one of our puppies, you receive a socialized, happy, playful companion.
Cindy and Glenda
We are often asked the differences in the personalities of the Coton de Tulear breed and the Italian Bolognese. It's difficult to describe because they are both such wonderful dogs. They are very similar in many ways and yet each has their own characteristics specific to the breed. Cotons and Bolognese come from the Bichon family. Both breeds have sturdy, little bodies. They are not afraid of children and make great family pets. They are both endearing, charming, and light hearted. They are highly intelligent, love to play games and love their families. They can be clownish and love to twirl and dance. They both have hair, not fur, are non-shedding with little pet dander, and are odorless. They don't make you or your furniture smell. Neither one has ear-piercing barks that are sometimes common to little dogs. They are not yappy! Bolognese and Coton de Tulear are non-shedding, Hypoallergenic dogs.
Coton de Tulear are known for their light, cottony-like coats. The coats are usually straight or slightly wavy. Cotons almost look like a miniature sheep dog, peeking at you with their dark beautiful eyes from under their long bangs. Cotons, specifically, are cheerful and charming. They are known as the anti-depressant dog. They are calm and yet very confident. They pat their paws on the floor and perform humorous antics. They are like a big dog in a small body. Cotons are hardy, robust, enthusiastic and celebrate your homecoming after separations. They exude happiness and harmony. Even though they love you to pieces, they also have an independent spirit.
Bolognese have crimpy, silky like coats. They have been raised for centuries for no other purpose than strictly companions for people. Therefore, they are the ultimate companion dog and are loyal, love your attention, and are abundantly affectionate. They have very strong attachments to humans and love pleasing you. They are even tempered, highly intelligent and love to be trained. Their winsome ways captivate your heart. They instinctively perform what is called the bolo dance in which they stand upright and dance around, rolling their paws in the air to greet you. They are calm and friendly and love you unconditionally.
Both of these rare breed dogs are elegant, beautiful, intelligent companions. So many of our customers have said about both breeds, "I can't imagine being without one of these dogs ever again." It's so true.
ABOUT COTONS Coton means “cotton of Tulear”. Tulear, a port city on the island of Madagascar, is where the rare, ancient, pure breed Coton originated more than three centuries ago. The Coton is a member of the Bichon family and is rightfully called “The Royal Dog of Madagascar”. When France claimed Madagascar in the 17th century, the French aristocracy surrounded themselves with uncommon treasures, one of these being the little white playful dog who loved to dance upright and show off. It was made law that non-noblemen were not allowed to own Cotons and even today, it is a rare breed and usually owned by residents of distinction on Madagascar. There are many old legends about the Coton’s survival, how it came to Madagascar, and its unusual intelligence.
Coton de Tulear: A History
(Summarized from Coton de Tulear by Wolfgang Knorr)
The Coton de Tulear, known for its light, airy, cottony-like coat, makes the Coton stand out from almost all other breeds. The Coton originated from the idyllic island of Madagascar off the southeast coast of Africa where the temperature never drops below 68 degrees F., a pleasantly warm climate. Cotons were originally found in the port of Tulear, hence the name Coton de Tulear. Madagascar used to be popular center of trade for seafarers and merchants and many times these travelers carried small, Bichon type dogs on their ships. The Coton is presumed to have evolved from these Bichon-like native dogs.
After France claimed Madagascar in the 17th century, the island paradise became home to the French aristocracy. The aristocratic ladies fashionably surrounded themselves with uncommon treasures, so it soon became unlawful for a commoner to own a Coton. It was a privilege reserved for those of noble birth. The first "cotton dogs" were actually given as presents to the regents of the island realm and the small Madagascan jewel became known as the "dog of royalty".
There are several legends about the Coton survival on the island, intriguing and colorful. It is presumed that many Cotons at first lived freely in their native country and they had to fend for themselves to survive. Cotons had to learn to outfox their natural enemy on Madagascar, the crocodile. If a Coton had to cross the river, it would bark loudly to attract all the crocodiles in the vicinity, and then once the crocs arrived, the dog would run about 330 feet down the bank, and swim across the river unharmed. Cotons to this day are highly intelligent problem solvers and great thinkers.
Another legend tells of a shipwreck off the coast of Madagascar where a pair of Cotons were kept afloat by their luxurious coats and reached the island safely. How they made it through the shark infested waters around Madagascar remains unclear.
The first officially recognized Cotons in Europe and the United States occurred around 1974-75 when imported breeding stock arrived directly from Madagascar.
This rare breed continues to grow in popularity. Its bright, cheerful personality is so beloved by its owners that many of our customers report to us, "I will never be without a Coton again,"
ABOUT ITALIAN BOLOGNESE The Italian Bolognese is also a rare breed of nobility. Their name is taken from the northern city of Bologna, even though they possibly descended from the Bichons of Southern Italy. During the Renaissance, these playful little dogs were exchanged as presents among nobles. They were popular because of their fluffy, pure white coat, and vivacious, playful personality. They are very intelligent and quite the charmers. After receiving two Bolognese as presents, Philipe II, King of Spain from 1556 to 1598, wrote his thanks, saying, “These two little dogs are the most royal gifts one can make to an emperor.” Bolognese are totally devoted to the family. They love you and you love them!
The Italian Bolognese: A History
(Summarized from Bolognese by Wolfgang Knorr)
"Three black buttons in the middle of a cloud of white" is an apt description of the rare and beautiful Italian Bolognese. These playful, rare breeds have a somewhat obscure history. They were already known in ancient Egypt and Phoenicia and were probably brought to Italy by sea travelers during the 13th century. In the ancient Italian city of Bologna, these small, white dogs became a favorite of the aristocracy. Traders sometimes received the equivalent of the dog's weight in gold as payment, so they were quite valuable. The Bolognese were favorites of well-born Italian women and became mandatory fashion accessories. They were pampered, perfumed, and adorned. The Gonzagas, a noble family that ruled parts of Italy between 1328 and 1708, bred Bolognese in their estates. Cosimo de Medici (1389-1464), an influential Florentine citizen and an important patron of the Italian Renaissance, gifted at least eight pups to various nobles throughout Europe. Many historical personalities were proud owners of the little Italian Bolognese beauty: Madame Pompadour (1721-1764), Catherine the Great of Russia (1729-1796), and Maria Therese, Empress of Austria (1717-1780). Their popularity continued during the time of Kings Louis XIV and XV, well into the 19th century. Master artists Gozzoli and Durer immortalized them in paintings. Ordinary citizens had no chance to own one of these small dogs, so after the downfall of Europe's aristocracy, the revered dog also fell from favor. By the end of WWII, they had almost become extinct. The first modern Bolognese were registered by the kennel of Sna. Maristella Ogno in the late 1950's.
The first Bolognese to arrive in America is credited with Bert and Dorothy Goodale. They were respected breeders for 45 years at the time. Dorothy became very intrigued by the fact that the Bolognese was the only variety of the Bichon breeds that had not been imported to the United States. After contacting three European breeders and with much coaxing, it still took two more years to convince them to part with some of their stock. She was finally able to import the first Bolognese into the U.S. in 1986.
With less than a thousand Bolognese in the United States today, Bolognese are still a rare and precious breed, bred for centuries for only one purpose--to be a devoted, loving companion to people.
About Bolonkas
At My Darling Dogs, for several years we have enjoyed breeding Coton de Tulear puppies and Italian Bolognese puppies. It has been such a joyful and interesting experience in many ways--not only do we love these dogs and their wonderful temperaments, but we also have the good fortune of communicating with and sometimes meeting the families the puppies go to. At one point, we had read about a "colored Bolognese" (a misnomer), but that piqued our curiosity since a few times customers had inquired if Bolognese come in colors. We started researching and found out about the Bolonka--not a colored Bolognese, but a beautiful, rare lapdog of similar qualities. Since then, Cindy, Sarah, and I have all purchased a couple of Bolonkas each, and we are just starting to have a few Bolonka puppies.
Bolonka History
The Bolonka had its beginnings as far back as the early 18th century. King Louis IV of France presented the Bolonka as gifts to Russian nobility. Later, the ancestors of the Bolonka migrated to Russia with Napolean's army and they were known as the French Bolonka.
Russia was never known for its toy breeds, partly because of its harsh environment and its economic need for working dogs. Smaller breeds were considered superfluous and unnecessary, even more so during the Soviet Regime. During this time, dogs were not imported to Russia, so breeds were developed by selections from already existing breeds. The Russian Franzuskaya Bolonka was crossed with small colored dogs, and since 1966, they have been called Tsvetnaya Bolonka. Interest in the specific breed of Bolonka revived after the fall of the iron curtain. Tsvetnaya Bolonka means "colored lapdog".
The Bolonka has several different nicknames. They have been called Russian colored Bichons or Russian lapdogs. In Germany, the dogs are known as Bolonka Zwetna since the 1980's or Deutscher Bolonka. Both breeds have similar bloodlines. In the Czech Republic the breed is called Barevny Bolonsky Psik (Bolognais color). Sometimes they are mistakenly called Bolognese. The common name of the breed in all countries is Bolonka.
The Bolonkas have a life expectancy of 13 to 17 years. They are small dogs with sturdy little bodies, and in temperament comparable to Bolognese. They come in black, brown, gray, beige, red, and a mixture of black and tan, black and gray, and gray and tan. All colors are accepted except solid white and no more than 20% white markings are allowed in the standard. We have found them to be very personable, sweet, little companion dogs.
E-mail Cindy@MyDarlingDogs.com
Phone 208-739-2093
