Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is a big animal lover, especially when it comes to dogs. From his own personal pets to the dogs he comes across in his travels, this is one Russian who clearly has a soft side for all kinds of pooches.

Russia039s Prime Minister Putin hugs a Bulgarian shepherd dog after receiving it as a present from Bulgaria039s Prime Minister Borisov, in Sofia
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin hugs a Bulgarian shepherd dog, after receiving it as a present from Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boiko Borisov (not seen) in Sofia, November 13, 2010. Putin is in Bulgaria on a one day working visit. Reuters
Russia039s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pets Labrador dog Tonik during his meeting with Russian rescue workers in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pets Labrador dog Tonik during his meeting with Russian rescue workers in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow June 6, 2008. Reuters
Russia039s President Vladimir Putin strokes a dog on his arrival to the family home of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush in Kennebunkport
Russia's President Vladimir Putin strokes a dog on his arrival to the family home of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine, July 1, 2007. U.S. President George W. Bush hosted Russian President Putin for a fence-mending summit at the Bush family compound on Sunday. Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin looks at a dog kept in a kennel during his visit to Dzhepel ...
Russian President Vladimir Putin looks at a dog kept in a kennel during his visit to Dzhepel Russia's border patrol outpost. Russian President Vladimir Putin looks at a dog kept in a kennel during his visit to Dzhepel Russia's border patrol outpost at Russian-Azerbaijani border July 15, 2005. Putin was making a rare visit to the mountainous region on Russia's southern flank, scene of a long fight with separatist rebels in Chechnya and worsening violence in neighbouring Dagestan that has spilled over from Chechnya. Reuters
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN PATS THE DOG ON THE HEAD IN VERKHNIE MONDROGI.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pats a dog on the head as he visits the Russian village of Verkhnie Mondrogi, August 21, 2001. On Tuesday Putin also visited an ancient monastery in Solovki which used to be a communist prison in 1920-1930. AS Reuters
Russias Prime Minister Vladimir Putin strokes a rescue dog as he visits Emergency Situation Ministry in Moscow
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin strokes a rescue dog as he visits an Emergency Situation Ministry in Moscow, September 21, 2009. Reuters
Russian girls pet President Putin039s dog Conny during New Year show at State Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
Russian girls pet president's dog Conny as Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) looks on during the New Year show at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow, December 28, 2004. Reuters
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