Vladimir Putin’s Four-legged Gifts

An Akita Inu puppy named "Yume" will be sent to Moscow on Friday as a gift from Japan’s Akita prefectural government to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yume, a female, was born three months ago.

In November 2010, then Prime Minister Putin received a Bulgarian shepherd named Baffi from his Bulgarian counterpart, Boyko Borisov.

"I gave the puppy to Putin as a present. I hope this typical Bulgarian breed will bring him joy," the Bulgarian Prime Minister said.

A Bulgarian shepherd is a strong guard dog measuring 60-70cm in height. Dog handlers describe the dogs as calm, friendly, energetic, and attentive.

In 2008, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin received an Amur tiger cub for his birthday.

When still a cub, Masha lived at Novo-Ogaryovo residence. Vladimir Putin said this was the most extraordinary birthday gift.

Later the tigress was transported to the Gelendzhik Zoo.

In 2005, Putin became the owner of a horse, Vadik.

Vladimir Putin received the horse in Tatarstan, where the President’s Cup international horse racing competition is held.

Russia’s most famous dog is Putin’s Black Labrador, Koni.

Koni is a purebred Labrador with rich hereditary lines. Its parents are Henrietta Bush (mother) and Alkor Ross Bradford.Photo: Vladimir Putin and anchor of the NBC television’s Today show Matt Lauer during an interview in Novo-Ogaryovo.

Koni was bought by Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry from a Russian Retriever Club and trained at a cynology center of the 179th rescue team. In 2000, Russian Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu gave the dog to the president.Photo: Putin meets with the representatives of Russian youth movements on July 24, 2007, in Zavidovo, an official presidential residence.

Koni has children and even grandchildren. In March 2004, Vladimir Putin gave one of her puppies to a girl named Katya from Smolensk.