The Russian Salon Dog: History, Development & Preservation

The Russian Salon Dog (Russkaya Salonnaya Sobaka), often affectionately known as the “Mermaid” or “Siren,” is a purebred companion dog developed in Russia beginning in 1995. The breed was created by Yulia Lakatosh, a respected RKF dog show judge, zootechnician, breeder, and geneticist, with the goal of developing a small, well-balanced companion dog possessing a distinctive appearance, beautiful flowing coat, excellent temperament, and consistent breed type.

Today, the Russian Salon Dog is known for its striking appearance, cheerful disposition, and adaptability as a companion. Its size and temperament allow it to thrive in a variety of homes, from families to single-person households, while retaining the characteristics envisioned during its development.

Development of the Breed

Like many established dog breeds, the Russian Salon Dog was created through a structured breeding program utilizing carefully selected dogs from existing breeds. Foundation breeds used during the development of the Russian Salon Dog included:

• Yorkshire Terrier

• Maltese

• Shih Tzu

• Long-Haired Chihuahua

• Long-Haired Russian Toy

• Chinese Crested Powderpuff

• Pomeranian

• Other carefully selected toy companion dogs of the Bichon family

Each contributed characteristics that helped shape the developing Russian Salon Dog. Over successive generations, dogs exhibiting the desired traits were selectively bred, while those that did not conform to the developing breed type were removed from the breeding program.

Through this process, the population became increasingly consistent in size, structure, coat, appearance, temperament, and overall type. Eventually, Russian Salon Dogs began producing offspring that consistently resembled other Russian Salon Dogs rather than the individual breeds originally used in their development. This process is commonly referred to as “breeding true” and is fundamental to the establishment of a distinct breed.

Today, Russian Salon Dogs are bred Russian Salon Dog to Russian Salon Dog within an established pedigree population and have their own breed standard.

This historical foundation list should not be confused with the Russian Salon Dog Club of America’s Other Color Variety (OCV) Program. The OCV Program is a modern preservation initiative designed to introduce carefully selected genetic diversity into a limited portion of the population while preserving established Russian Salon Dog type, temperament, health, and purpose.

The Development of Color

During the early development of the breed, two primary colors were established: Red and Cream.

As the breed developed, additional colors and patterns emerged, including black, brown, brown and white, black and white, marbled, and others. Genetically, Red Russian Salon Dogs belong to the sable color family, while Cream Russian Salon Dogs fall within the recessive red family.

Phenotype can vary considerably within these genetic color families. Some genetically Red Russian Salon Dogs, for example, may mature to an appearance that closely resembles Cream. This variation is part of the breed’s unique genetic and developmental history.

Russian Salon Dogs and “Color Yorkies”

As the Russian Salon Dog has expanded beyond Russia, questions have arisen regarding its origins and its relationship to dogs marketed internationally as “Color Yorkies.”

Because the Yorkshire Terrier was among the breeds used during the Russian Salon Dog’s early development—and because some Russian Salon Dogs and their descendants were historically marketed internationally under names such as “Color York”—confusion regarding the breed’s identity still exists.

In some cases, dogs sold or registered under Color York-type names may actually descend from Russian Salon Dog breeding stock. This historical crossover can make pedigree research and identification complicated and has contributed to misunderstandings about whether the Russian Salon Dog is simply a differently colored Yorkshire Terrier.

It is not.

The Russian Salon Dog was developed using multiple foundation breeds through a deliberate, multigenerational breeding program. The resulting population was selected toward its own consistent phenotype, temperament, structure, coat, and breed type.

This distinction does not diminish the value of dogs marketed under other names. It does, however, make accurate pedigree history and transparency particularly important. A color variety of an existing breed and a separately developed breed with its own breed standard, pedigree history, and established breeding population are not the same thing.

As genetic testing continues to advance, we may learn even more about the breeds and individual bloodlines that contributed to the Russian Salon Dog during its formative generations. That history should be embraced rather than hidden. Every established breed has an origin story.

What ultimately defines the Russian Salon Dog today is not simply the breeds from which it originated, but the consistent and predictable breed type produced through generations of selective breeding.

Recognition and International Growth

The Russian Kynological Federation (RKF) officially recognized the Russian Salon Dog in 2013. Since then, the breed has continued to expand beyond Russia, with Russian Salon Dogs and established breeding programs now present in multiple European countries and the United States.

Russian Salon Dogs participate in conformation events, breeding programs, and registered pedigree populations internationally. The breed has also been exhibited on the international stage, including at the 2024 World Dog Show.

In the United States, the breed remains relatively rare. The Russian Salon Dog Club of America continues working to expand breed recognition, preserve pedigree records, educate breeders and owners, and establish a healthy and sustainable American population.

Preserving the Russian Salon Dog

Members of the Russian Salon Dog Club of America (RSDCA) are dedicated to preserving the Russian Salon Dog as it was originally envisioned and developed.

Responsible preservation requires more than simply producing puppies. It requires maintaining accurate pedigrees, selecting for correct breed type and temperament, conducting appropriate health testing, educating breeders and owners, protecting genetic diversity, and making breeding decisions with the long-term future of the population in mind.

Our mission is not only to promote the Russian Salon Dog, but to safeguard its history, integrity, identity, health, and future as a distinct companion breed.

Transparency is an essential part of that responsibility. Understanding where a breed came from does not weaken its identity—it helps us understand how that identity was created and how best to preserve it.

The Russian Salon Dog’s story is still being written. By respecting its history while carefully planning for its future, we can ensure that the beauty, temperament, and distinctive character envisioned at the breed’s creation remain recognizable for generations to come.

— Russian Salon Dog Club of America (RSDCA)