Bichon vs. Bolonka — What's the Difference?

A bichon is a distinct type of toy dog; it is typically kept as a companion dog. Believed to be descended from the Barbet, it is believed the bichon-type dates to at least the 11th century; it was relatively common in 14th century France, where they were kept as pets of the royalty and aristocracy.

The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka (Russian: Русская цветная болонка), also known as the Bolonka Zwetna in Germany, or known simply as a Bolonka is a rare toy breed of the Bichon type, developed in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia, from the ancestors of smaller dogs such as the Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu, Pekingese and French Bolognese. They include the white variety, the Franzuskaya Bolonka, which is a variation of the Italian Bolognese.

A bichon frisé.

Any of a class of toy dogs with curly or wavy hair and long curled tails.

A Bichon Frisé.