Elena Domnina, an instructor and administrator at Krasnoyarsk’s oldest dog breeding club, shared insights into her lifelong involvement with dogs, highlighting popular breeds, responsible dog ownership, and the joys and responsibilities of having canine companions. Domnina’s family pioneered corgi breeding in Siberia and has experience with various breeds, including bull terriers. She emphasized the importance of responsible breeding and ownership, while also sharing anecdotes from her personal life.

Domnina dispelled the stereotype of certain breeds like bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers as inherently dangerous, explaining they can be wonderful companions with proper training. She noted that any dog can be potentially dangerous, akin to wolves, and that responsible breeding aims to minimize aggression. She also shared her experience of being bitten by different breeds, emphasizing that negligent owners often contribute to negative incidents.

Having grown up around dogs, Domnina’s mother founded one of the first dog breeding clubs in Krasnoyarsk in the early 90s. She returned to dog breeding as an instructor, assisting current and potential owners with breed selection, document registration, and dog care. She highlighted the importance of branding puppies for identification and pedigree confirmation and how that process is performed.

Domnina discussed the current trend of “designer breeds” like Maltipoos, cautioning that they are not recognized by the Russian Kennel Federation (RKF) and may have unstable traits due to their mixed genetic heritage. She also noted the popularity of small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Pinschers, and French Bulldogs, due to their easier and cheaper maintenance.

Domnina provided practical advice for prospective dog owners, including verifying RKF puppy cards, contacting the indicated club, and avoiding online scams. She advised caution with designer breeds lacking RKF confirmation. Finally, she also mentioned the average monthly expenses for a dog range from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles, also highlighting the time commitment and emotional fulfillment that dogs bring to people’s lives.