January 10, 2022

Top Dogs


Top Dogs
A photo you can hear. Wikimedia Commons, Rob Hanson

The Russian Cynological Society—an analogous organization to the American Kennel Club—recently released its list for the most popular dog breeds among Russian owners for 2021. The results may be surprising, but probably not.

Taking the number one spot, as for the last five years, was the German spitz, of which the Pomeranian is a popular sub-breed. In second place came the Chihuahua, followed by the Yorkshire terrier. The German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Jack Russell terrier, Central Asian shepherd, and French Bulldog all landed in the top ten.

Of note this year is an explosive rise in the popularity of the corgi, which made it into the top ten for the first time ever this year. Also seeing an uptick is the poodle, a dog known for its strong role as a companion animal.

While the Russian taste in dogs may tend towards the small (and yappy), one should remember that most Russians live in apartment buildings, where small dogs that require little exercise will be happier and easier to keep than large dogs that need a lot of space.

As for the spitz, even our favorite mustachioed dictator/president is a fan:

lukashenko and his dog
German spitzes are popular in Belarus, too, it seems. | The Russian Life files

 

You Might Also Like

Putin's Pooches
  • October 07, 2021

Putin's Pooches

On this, Vladimir Putin's 69th birthday, we are reminded that even authoritarian leaders are softies for good dogs. Maybe especially so?
Of Players and Puppies
  • December 13, 2021

Of Players and Puppies

St. Petersburg's Zenit soccer team had some adorable company on the field in a recent match.
The Goodest Boy in All of Russia
  • February 22, 2021

The Goodest Boy in All of Russia

There are a lot of really wonderful dogs in Russia, but this life-saving cutie has been named the best of all. 
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955