The Bolognese is a small dog that has a poodle-like coat and resembles the Bichon Frise. It originated in Italy where it was primarily used as a lovable companion. It is known by a variety of different names including the Bolognese, Bolognese Dog, Bolognese Toy Dog, Bologneser, Botoli, Bolo, Bottolo and the Bichon Bolognese. Although the Bolognese looks as if it could be the result of a cross between the Bichon Frise and the Maltese, it has actually been around just as long, if not longer, than these two breeds. In fact, it is thought that Bolognese Dogs have been in existence since about the year 1200. These lovely little dogs were favorite companions among many noteworthy persons including Goya, Katherine the Great of Russia, Titian and Madam de Pompadour. Some Bolognese Dogs were brought to England in 1990 and were included in the breed registry shortly after. Relatives of the Bolognese are thought to include the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Coton de Tulear and Havanese.
The Bolognese is a cousin of the Bichon Frise and looks very similar. It is a small, compact dog with square proportions and a fluffy, white coat. Their heads are oval and they have a large muzzle compared to their size. They have large, floppy ears that are covered in white hair. Their eyes are oval and alert. The Bolognese’s coat must be brushed daily and the breed also requires regular bathing and dental cleaning. As mentioned previously, Bolognese are small dogs that can weigh anywhere between six and 14 pounds as adults. The coat of the Bolognese is poodle-like and very curly. The only accepted color for these dogs is white. They have a square-shaped body, fully-plumed drop ears, dark-colored eyes, a black nose and a long tail that flows up and over the back.
Personality
You can’t eat him with pasta, but some owners swear these dogs are so cute they could eat them up. The Bolognese is affectionate, gentle and kind. This dog has low or moderate exercise needs which can be satisfied with daily walks on the leash. It is a perfect apartment dog, especially for elderly people. Bolgneses are playful, happy and easily trained. They love attention and want to please their owners. They are most happy when they can sit on their owners’ laps and receive a belly rub. They are friendly towards children and other dogs. The Bolognese is a good-natured, somewhat docile dog that is just as happy cuddling on its owner’s lap as it is playing outdoors. These dogs form strong bonds with their owners and do not enjoy being left alone. Because of their small size, they are not recommended for small children. However, they get along quite well with older children.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 13-15 years |
| Nicknames: | Bolognese, Bolognese Dog, Bolognese Toy Dog, Bologneser, Botoli, Bolo, Bottolo, Bichon Bolognese |
Bolognese Build Information
The Bolognese is a cousin of the Bichon Frise and looks very similar. It is a small, compact dog with square proportions and a fluffy, white coat. Their heads are oval and they have a large muzzle compared to their size. They have large, floppy ears that are covered in white hair. Their eyes are oval and alert. The Bolognese’s coat must be brushed daily and the breed also requires regular bathing and dental cleaning. As mentioned previously, Bolognese are small dogs that can weigh anywhere between six and 14 pounds as adults. The coat of the Bolognese is poodle-like and very curly. The only accepted color for these dogs is white. They have a square-shaped body, fully-plumed drop ears, dark-colored eyes, a black nose and a long tail that flows up and over the back.
| Size: | Small |
Behaviour and Personality
You can’t eat him with pasta, but some owners swear these dogs are so cute they could eat them up. The Bolognese is affectionate, gentle and kind. This dog has low or moderate exercise needs which can be satisfied with daily walks on the leash. It is a perfect apartment dog, especially for elderly people. Bolgneses are playful, happy and easily trained. They love attention and want to please their owners. They are most happy when they can sit on their owners’ laps and receive a belly rub. They are friendly towards children and other dogs. The Bolognese is a good-natured, somewhat docile dog that is just as happy cuddling on its owner’s lap as it is playing outdoors. These dogs form strong bonds with their owners and do not enjoy being left alone. Because of their small size, they are not recommended for small children. However, they get along quite well with older children.
| Activity Level: | Low |
| Affection Level: | Very affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
Due to the nature of the Bolognese Dog’s coat, you will need to brush your pet at least once a day to prevent mats from forming. During shedding season, you may want to brush its coat more than once a day. If you wish, you can have its coat clipped short to make it easier to groom. You should only need to bathe your Bolognese about once a month; however, make sure that you brush its hair first! You can use any type of gentle dog shampoo on your pet, or you can choose to use a special shampoo made especially for white dogs. After bathing your Bolognese Dog, check its ears for wax accumulation. If you see excess wax, use the corner of a damp rag to gently wipe it out. Never use a cotton swab as it could damage your pet’s inner ear. Finally, if your dog’s nails grow overly long, you can cut them with a guillotine-style nail clipper, but make sure you do not cut into the tiny veins that are inside each nail.
| Shedding: | None |
| Grooming: | High Maintenance |
Bolognese Common Health Conditions
While the average life span of the Bolognese is about 14 years, some of them have been known to live as long as 18 years or longer. Fortunately, this is a breed that suffers from few genetic health issues, and most of these dogs develop none throughout their lives. Nevertheless, issues that the Bolognese may be prone to developing are as follows: Patellar Luxation, Hypoglycemia, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, and Early Tooth Loss. Have you been searching for a hardy little dog that is not high-strung like most other small dogs? If so, the Bolognese Dog may be the breed for you! These are extremely healthy dogs that are quite docile in most situations. Furthermore, due to their small stature, they fit perfectly in most any size home.
Bolognese Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The Bolognese Dog was named after the city of Bologna in Italy. Due to their docile nature, the Bolognese are often used as emotional support dogs. The Bolognese does not shed, but their hair can become matted quickly and easily.
| Training: | Moderately easy |
