Konni (russian: Конни, 1999 – 2014), full
name
A name is a term used for identification by an external observer. They can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. The entity identified by a name is called its referent. A personal ...
Connie Leod Paulgrave
(), also known as Connie, was a female black
Labrador Retriever belonging to the
President of Russia
The president of the Russian Federation ( rus, Президент Российской Федерации, Prezident Rossiyskoy Federatsii) is the head of state of the Russian Federation. The president leads the executive branch of the federal ...
,
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who holds the office of president of Russia. Putin has served continuously as president or prime minister since 1999: as prime min ...
. Konni was often seen at the President's side, including at staff meetings, and when Putin greeted world leaders during their visits to
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
.
Family
Konni, full name Connie Paulgrave, was born in 1999 at a
cynology Cynology (rarely kynology, ) is the study of matters related to canines or domestic dogs.
In English, it is a term sometimes used to denote a serious zoological approach to the study of dogs as well as by writers on canine subjects, dog breeders, ...
centre located at the
Ministry of Emergency Situations in
Noginsk
Noginsk (russian: Ноги́нск) is a types of inhabited localities in Russia, city and the administrative center of Noginsky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located east of the Moscow Ring Road on the Klyazma River. Population:
History
Fo ...
, where she was to be trained as a
search and rescue dog
A search-and-rescue dog is one trained to find missing people after a natural or man-made disaster. The dogs detect human scent and have been known to find people under water, under snow, and under collapsed buildings.
Applications
A dog w ...
.
Konni's parents were Henrietta Bush (mother) and Alkor Ross Bradford (father).
In December 2000, Konni was presented to President Vladimir Putin as a gift by
Sergei Shoigu
Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, ; tyv, Сергей Күжүгет оглу Шойгу, translit=Sergey Kyzhyget oglu Shoygu, . (russian: Сергей Кужугетович Шойгу; born 21 May 1955) is a Russian politician who has served as ...
.
On 7 December 2003, the day of the
2003 legislative election, Konni gave birth to eight puppies.
One pup named Darina was given to a pensioner in Novozolotovka,
Neklinovsky District
Neklinovsky District (russian: Некли́новский райо́н) is an administrativeLaw #340-ZS and municipalLaw #224-ZS district (raion), one of the forty-three in Rostov Oblast, Russia. It is located in the west of the oblast, immediatel ...
of
Rostov Oblast
Rostov Oblast ( rus, Росто́вская о́бласть, r=Rostovskaya oblast, p=rɐˈstofskəjə ˈobləsʲtʲ) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast), located in the Southern Federal District. The oblast has an area of and a populati ...
. Another pup, named Oscar, was given to a six-year-old girl in
Smolensk
Smolensk ( rus, Смоленск, p=smɐˈlʲensk, a=smolensk_ru.ogg) is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River, west-southwest of Moscow. First mentioned in 863, it is one of the oldest c ...
. Two pups were given to the
President of Austria
The president of Austria (german: Bundespräsident der Republik Österreich) is the head of state of the Republic of Austria. Though theoretically entrusted with great power by the Constitution, in practice the president is largely a ceremonial ...
,
Thomas Klestil
Thomas Klestil (; 4 November 1932 – 6 July 2004) was an Austrian diplomat and politician who served as President of Austria from 1992 to his death in 2004. He was elected in 1992 and re-elected into office in 1998.
Biography until 1992
Born ...
, as a symbol of
Austrian-Russian friendship.
When Klestil's widow, diplomat
Margot Klestil-Löffler, was appointed Austrian Ambassador to Russia in December 2009, the two dogsnamed Olya and Orhireturned to
Moscow
Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...
with her; Klestil-Löffler stated that the dogs helped her deal with her husband's death. Another of Konni's pups was employed by rescue services in
Vladikavkaz
Vladikavkaz (russian: Владикавка́з, , os, Дзæуджыхъæу, translit=Dzæwdžyqæw, ;), formerly known as Ordzhonikidze () and Dzaudzhikau (), is the capital city of the North Ossetia-Alania, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Ru ...
in
North Ossetia-Alania
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.
Etymology
The word ''north'' is ...
.
Relationship with Vladimir Putin
![Vladimir Putin and Koni-1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Vladimir_Putin_and_Koni-1.jpg)
Since Konni became part of the Putin family, she was featured largely in the life of the President, and was regularly at her master's side.
In 2007, organisers of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum, which is a regional meeting of the
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-governmental and lobbying organisation based in Cologny, canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded on 24 January 1971 by German engineer and economist Klaus Schwab. The foundation, ...
, wrote to the
Presidential Administration
The term administration, as used in the context of government, differs according to the jurisdiction under which it operates. In general terms, administration can be described as a decision making body.
United States
In American usage, the ter ...
requesting a photograph of the President for his accreditation badge, and the Putin Administration sent back to the organisers a photograph of Putin sitting in an armchair next to a fireplace with Konni lying at his feet.
Answering a question at a press conference, Putin stated that, like everyone else, he too has occasional bad moods, and explained:
"In those situations I try to consult with my dog Konni, who gives me good advice."
Konni responded to simple commands given to her by Putin, including "down!" (''lezhat''!), "sit!" ( ''Sidet'!''), "heel!" (''Ryadom!''), "go!" (''Fas!'') and "bark!" (''Golos!''), in addition to shaking hands.
Although Konni was, for the most part, allowed to attend meetings with Putin, on occasion she was kept away from such functions. ''
Rossiyskaya Gazeta
' (russian: Российская газета, lit. Russian Gazette) is a Russian newspaper published by the Government of Russia. The daily newspaper serves as the official government gazette of the Government of the Russian Federation, publishi ...
'' recalled an incident in 2003, when journalists travelled to Sochi to discuss various issues with the President. Upon arrival at
Bocharov Ruchei
Bocharov Ruchey (russian: Бочаров Ручей) is the summer residence of the President of Russia. It is located in the Tsentralny City District of Sochi, Russia.
The Bocharov Ruchey residence was commissioned by the People's Commissar ...
, Konni, who was described as cheerful and inquisitive, greeted the journalists. When it came time to start the meeting, Putin's security detail stopped Konni from following him. As the journalists and Putin started walking down the staircase, Konni rushed towards them and began to bark loudly at Putin. As a result, Irena Lesnevskaya, the President of
REN TV
REN TV (russian: РЕН ТВ) is a Russian free-to-air television network, was founded on 1 January 1997 by Irena Lesnevskaya and her son, Dmitry Lesnevsky, who had been running REN TV as a production house for other national Russian television ...
, asked "So who else here can so bark at the President?". Konni, in what appeared to be an expression of dissatisfaction for not being allowed to "participate" in the meeting, then continued barking, and refused several orders by Putin to come to him, leading Lesnevskaya to ask, "So who else can disobey the President?".
In the public eye
In December 2004, Konni was taken to a children's
New Year
New Year is the time or day currently at which a new calendar year begins and the calendar's year count increments by one. Many cultures celebrate the event in some manner. In the Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar system to ...
's Eve party at the
State Kremlin Palace
The State Kremlin Palace (russian: Государственный Кремлёвский Дворец), formerly and unofficially still better known as the Kremlin Palace of Congresses (Кремлёвский Дворец съездов), is a ...
by Putin.
While Putin was on stage giving a speech to the media, politicians and the public, Konni managed to escape from her holdings and joined her owner on stage.
Konni gained fame when
Detskaya Literatura
Detskaya Literatura ( rus, Детская литература, r=Detskaja literatura, lit. "Children's Literature"), formerly Detgiz and DETIZDAT, is a Soviet and Russian publishing house for children's literature. It was established on Septembe ...
, one of the oldest publishing houses and the largest publisher of children's books, published a book in 2004, entitled ''Connie's Stories''. The 60-page book written by Irina Borisova in English, chronicles the life and adventures of a Black Labrador named "Connie"; at the end it is revealed that Connie (Konni) is the President's dog.
Konni gained additional public exposure when she was present at an April meeting with Putin and
President of Belarus
The president of the Republic of Belarus ( be, Прэзідэнт Рэспублікі Беларусь; russian: Президент Республики Беларусь) is the head of state and head of government of Belarus. The office was cre ...
,
Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (as transliterated from Russian language, Russian; also transliterated from Belarusian language, Belarusian as Alyaksand(a)r Ryhoravich Lukashenka;, ; rus, Александр Григорьевич Лука ...
, in
Sochi
Sochi ( rus, Со́чи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg) is the largest resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi River, along the Black Sea in Southern Russia, with a population of 466,078 residents, up to 600,000 residents in ...
.
Konni's visibility in the meetings of Putin with world leaders led to the publication by ''
Ogoniok
''Ogoniok'' ( rus, Огонёк, t=Spark, p=ɐɡɐˈnʲɵk, a=Ru-огонёк.ogg; pre-reform orthography: ''Огонекъ'') was one of the oldest weekly illustrated magazines in Russia.
History and profile
''Ogoniok'' has issued since . I ...
'' of a satirical series of
comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings, often cartoons, arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions. Traditionally, throughout the 20th and into the 21st ...
s that features Konni as an advisor to Putin on matters relating to the
foreign relations of Russia
The foreign relations of the Russian Federation is the policy arm of the Russian government, government of Russia which guides its interactions with other nations, their citizens, and foreign organizations. This article covers the foreign polic ...
.
![Awww cute Koni](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Awww_cute_Koni.jpg)
In July 2006, in an online conference organised by
Yandex
Yandex LLC (russian: link=no, Яндекс, p=ˈjandəks) is a Russian multinational technology company providing Internet-related products and services, including an Internet search engine, information services, e-commerce, transportation, maps ...
and the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...
, Putin revealed that Konni ate two to three times a day and had a penchant for
porridge
Porridge is a food made by heating or boiling ground, crushed or chopped starchy plants, typically grain, in milk or water. It is often cooked or served with added flavourings such as sugar, honey, (dried) fruit or syrup to make a sweet cereal, ...
with meat. During the same online Question and Answer session, Putin reiterated a request that he had previously made on his website for people not to feed Konni, stating:
"Sometimes, Konni leaves a room full of journalists with a very pleased expression on her face and biscuit crumbs around her mouth... Please do not feed my dog."
In December 2007,
Sergey Ivanov updated Putin on the progress of the Russian
Global Navigation Satellite System
A satellite navigation or satnav system is a system that uses satellites to provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning. It allows satellite navigation devices to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude/elevation) to high pre ...
GLONASS
GLONASS (russian: ГЛОНАСС, label=none, ; rus, links=no, Глобальная навигационная спутниковая система, r=Global'naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, t=Global Navigation Satellite System) is ...
, when Putin enquired whether he would be able to buy a device hooked into GLONASS that would allow him to keep track of Konni. Ivanov advised Putin that collars for pets would be available in mid-2008. The collar was demonstrated to Putin on Konni on 17 October 2008, making Konni the first recipient of a GLONASS-enabled pet collar.
Russian politics
In February 2005, the We Youth Movement, a member of
The Other Russia coalition, started a campaign to promote Konni for President. It was the opinion of the group that no matter who won the
2008 Russian Presidential election
Presidential elections were held in Russia on 2 March 2008, and resulted in the election of Dmitry Medvedev as the third President of Russia. Medvedev was elected for a four-year term, whose candidacy was supported by incumbent president Vladimir ...
the operating
Head of State
A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and l ...
would remain the same, and hence Konni would make the best candidate.
Georgy Satarov
Georgy Aleksandrovich Satarov (russian: Георгий Александрович Сатаров; born August 22, 1947 in Moscow), is a Russian mathematician, politician, political scientist and a former aide to Russian President Boris Yeltsin (1 ...
, a key member of ''The Other Russia'', believed that if Putin were to have endorsed Konni as his successor, then 40% of the electorate would have voted for the Labrador, given that 40% of the people would have voted for whomever Putin endorsed for the election.
Russian foreign affairs
![Vladimir Putin 21 January 2007-1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Vladimir_Putin_21_January_2007-1.jpg)
Konni became a symbol of friendly meetings between the Russian President and
various world leaders, and was allowed to attend official government meetings.
A popular anecdote was when the
Chancellor of Germany
The chancellor of Germany, officially the federal chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany,; often shortened to ''Bundeskanzler''/''Bundeskanzlerin'', / is the head of the federal government of Germany and the commander in chief of the Ge ...
,
Angela Merkel
Angela Dorothea Merkel (; ; born 17 July 1954) is a German former politician and scientist who served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021. A member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), she previously served as Leader of the Oppo ...
, met President Vladimir Putin, Putin brought Konni to their meetings. On 21 January 2007, the two leaders met at
Bocharov Ruchei
Bocharov Ruchey (russian: Бочаров Ручей) is the summer residence of the President of Russia. It is located in the Tsentralny City District of Sochi, Russia.
The Bocharov Ruchey residence was commissioned by the People's Commissar ...
, the President's summer residence in
Sochi
Sochi ( rus, Со́чи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg) is the largest resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi River, along the Black Sea in Southern Russia, with a population of 466,078 residents, up to 600,000 residents in ...
, and at the beginning of their meeting Konni wandered into the room, leading Putin to ask Merkel, who reportedly has a "deep-seated fear of dogs", "The dog does not bother you, does she? She's a friendly dog and I'm sure she will behave herself." Merkel responded in
Russian
Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including:
*Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries
*Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...
, a language in which she is fluent, "She doesn't eat journalists, after all." Konni then proceeded to sniff the
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
Chancellor, and sat at her feet. Merkel was reported to have shown "apparent discomfort". Putin later said that, after learning of Merkel's fear of dogs, he apologized to her. Merkel's explanation of Putin's behaviour is reported in George Packer's December 2014 profile of Merkel in the New Yorker magazine.
"I understand why he has to do this — to prove he's a man," Merkel said. "He's afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this."
When
US President
The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...
visited Putin's residence at
Novo-Ogaryovo
Novo-Ogaryovo (russian: Ново-Огарёво), also transliterated as ''Novo-Ogarevo'', is an estate in the Odintsovsky District of Moscow Oblast, located by the Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway west of the city of Moscow. It operates as the ...
, Konni was there to greet both leaders. Putin was reported to have remarked to the visiting President that Konni is "bigger, tougher, stronger, faster, meaner – than
Barney
Barney may refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Barney (given name), a list of people and fictional characters
* Barney (surname), a list of people
Film and television
* the title character of ''Barney & Friends'', an American live actio ...
," which aides to Bush said was "a mark of a friendship strengthened by a little needling."
Canadian Prime Minister
The prime minister of Canada (french: premier ministre du Canada, link=no) is the head of government of Canada. Under the Westminster system, the prime minister governs with the confidence of a majority the elected House of Commons; as such ...
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper (born April 30, 1959) is a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. Harper is the first and only prime minister to come from the modern-day Conservative Party of Canada, ...
later "drolly noted
o Bush
O, or o, is the fifteenth Letter (alphabet), letter and the fourth vowel letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the English alphabet, modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in ...
'You're lucky he only showed you his dog.'"
At a meeting with Putin in Sochi in March 2003, and again in April 2005,
President of Belarus
The president of the Republic of Belarus ( be, Прэзідэнт Рэспублікі Беларусь; russian: Президент Республики Беларусь) is the head of state and head of government of Belarus. The office was cre ...
Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (as transliterated from Russian language, Russian; also transliterated from Belarusian language, Belarusian as Alyaksand(a)r Ryhoravich Lukashenka;, ; rus, Александр Григорьевич Лука ...
, who regarded Konni as a "friend", attempted to call the dog to him; however, Konni did not respond, except for yawning at the Belarusian President on several occasions, before getting up and instead going over to the journalists who had gathered to cover the meeting.
Death
In February 2015, it was reported in the press that Konni had died in late 2014, at the age of 15.
Gallery
File:Vladimir Putin and Koni-2.jpg, Vladimir Putin with Konni in Novo-Ogaryovo
Novo-Ogaryovo (russian: Ново-Огарёво), also transliterated as ''Novo-Ogarevo'', is an estate in the Odintsovsky District of Moscow Oblast, located by the Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway west of the city of Moscow. It operates as the ...
, 2002.
File:Vladimir Putin and Koni-4.jpg, Vladimir Putin enjoying a moment with Konni in Novo-Ogaryovo, 2002.
File:Vladimir Putin and Koni-6.jpg, Vladimir Putin exercising whilst Konni watches on, 2002.
File:Vladimir Putin 14 September 2003-1.jpg, Konni, President Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, with George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, Bocharov Ruchei, Sochi
Sochi ( rus, Со́чи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg) is the largest resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi River, along the Black Sea in Southern Russia, with a population of 466,078 residents, up to 600,000 residents in ...
, 2003.
File:Vladimir Putin 24 May 2006-1.jpg, Konni, Jose Manuel Barroso
Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods.
* Jose ben Abin
* Jose ben Akabya
*Jose the Galile ...
(left), Vladimir Putin, Javier Solana
Francisco Javier Solana de Madariaga (; born 14 July 1942) is a Spanish physicist and PSOE
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party ( es, Partido Socialista Obrero Español ; PSOE ) is a social-democraticThe PSOE is described as a social-dem ...
and Wolfgang Schüssel
Wolfgang Schüssel (; born 7 June 1945) is an Austrian People's Party politician. He was Chancellor of Austria for two consecutive terms from February 2000 to January 2007. While being recognised as a rare example of an active reformer in conte ...
, Bocharov Ruchei
Bocharov Ruchey (russian: Бочаров Ручей) is the summer residence of the President of Russia. It is located in the Tsentralny City District of Sochi, Russia.
The Bocharov Ruchey residence was commissioned by the People's Commissar ...
, Sochi, 2006.
File:Vladimir Putin 7 March 2003-2.jpg, Konni sits in on a 2003 meeting with Vladimir Putin and President of Belarus
The president of the Republic of Belarus ( be, Прэзідэнт Рэспублікі Беларусь; russian: Президент Республики Беларусь) is the head of state and head of government of Belarus. The office was cre ...
Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (as transliterated from Russian language, Russian; also transliterated from Belarusian language, Belarusian as Alyaksand(a)r Ryhoravich Lukashenka;, ; rus, Александр Григорьевич Лука ...
at Bocharov Ruchei, Sochi.
File:Vladimir Putin and Koni-3.jpg, (From left to right) Lyudmila Putina, Austrian President Thomas Klestil
Thomas Klestil (; 4 November 1932 – 6 July 2004) was an Austrian diplomat and politician who served as President of Austria from 1992 to his death in 2004. He was elected in 1992 and re-elected into office in 1998.
Biography until 1992
Born ...
, Margot Klestil-Löffler and Vladimir Putin with Konni in Novo-Ogaryovo, 2004.
File:Vladimir Putin 13 June 2005-1.jpg, Konni greets then British PM Tony Blair
Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He previously served as Leader of th ...
at Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence in 2005.
File:Vladimir Putin 28 December 2004-2.jpg, Moscow, the Grand Kremlin Palace, at the Kremlin 2004 New Year's party.
File:Vladimir Putin 28 December 2004-1.jpg, Konni on stage with Putin after escaping from her quarters and gatecrashing the Kremlin 2004 New Year's party.
See also
*
List of individual dogs
This is a list of individual famous actual dogs; for famous dogs from fiction, see List of fictional dogs.
Actors
Advertising
* Axelrod, Basset Hound, appeared in commercials and print ads for Flying "A" Service Station advertisements in ...
*
List of Labrador Retrievers
This list of Labrador Retrievers covers notable individual dogs that belong to this breed. The Labrador retriever is the most popular breed of dogs (by registered ownership) in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The breed is except ...
References
External links
*
''Putin's Dog'' (Собака Путина) comic strip by ''Ogoniok''* Irina Borisova (2004). ''Connie's Stories''. Moscow:
Detskaya Literatura
Detskaya Literatura ( rus, Детская литература, r=Detskaja literatura, lit. "Children's Literature"), formerly Detgiz and DETIZDAT, is a Soviet and Russian publishing house for children's literature. It was established on Septembe ...
.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Koni (Dog)
1999 animal births
2014 animal deaths
Individual dogs in politics
Individual animals in Russia
Pets of Vladimir Putin