Bolognese Dog Breed | Bolognese Dog Breed Introduction
Bolognese dog ( also known as Bichone Bolognese or Bolo) is a small-sized companion dog of Bichon type from Bologna, Italy. It has a white woolly coat that sheds at low levels all-year round hence considered a hypoallergenic dog. Bolognese Dogs are companion pets that suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
Therefore, they make great pets for owners who have flexible schedules. This also makes them ill-suited for parents who work with a 9 to 5 workday. Bolognese dogs are also playful, calm, affectionate, inactive, intelligent, and somewhat wary and shy of strangers. Although, they warm up quickly if they are well-introduced.
Bolognese Dog Information | Origin | History
The Bolognese Dogs originated in Bologna, Italy more than 2000 years ago. This breed was the favorite of the Italian nobility due its charm, beauty, and grace. The Bolognese Dogs were made popular by the Italian nobles who gifted these dogs to their fellow aristocrat.
For instance, the Princess of Belgium, Jose was given a beautiful Bolognese Dog by King Umberto of Italy on her birthday. This ancient breed has also been depicted in Renaissance writings and art. They were even mentioned by Aristotle. However, Bolognese Dogs almost became extinct as the popularity and power of the aristocracy began to diminish.
Fortunately, Gian Franco Giannelli, restored the lost glory of the breed. Liz Stannard brought the Bolognese Dog in England in 1990. This breed was also able to be shown at all dog shows with their own classes in 2001. The Bolognese Dogs were also at an annual international dog show, Crufts in 2002 for the first time.
Bolognese Dog Lifespan | Life Span
The Bolognese Dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years, although, some may live up to the age of 18 years.
Bolognese Dog Grooming
To prepare for a successful grooming session, get the Bolognese Dog accustomed to touch on the feet, paws, ears, and the entire body. Puppies should be groomed daily to get them used to grooming. A Bolognese pup has a softer coat while an adult has a coarse coat that is easy to groom. The puppy coat will change to an adult coat between the age of 8 to 18 months.
During this period, the coat should be groomed on a daily basis to prevent matting. If the Bolognese Dogs are kept with their full coat that is untrimmed and unshaped, they will also require daily grooming. However, owners who primarily keep their dogs as pets opt to trim the coat to about one inch only leaving the coat untrimmed around the face. Use a comb to get right through the coat.
In case of tangling, spritz the coat with a detangling spray before working on the mats. Bolognese Dogs need an occasional bath unless they are visibly dirty. Brush the coat first before bathing the pet since mats tend to get messy when they are wet. Trim the nails of Bolognese Dogs fortnightly using clippers or grinders to prevent overgrowth, cracking, and splitting.
Brush the teeth of a Bolognese at least twice a week if not daily to remove tartar buildup using a tasty canine toothpaste and finger toothbrush. Clean the ears once a week using cotton balls and an ear cleanser solution to remove debris or wax.
Bolognese Dog Shedding
Contrary to the belief that Bolognese Dogs have a non-moulting coat, they shed at low levels. Therefore, the loose hair is barely noticeable.
Bolognese Dog Coat | Coat Type
A Bolognese Dog has a single coat that falls in flocks all over the body. Although, the fur is shorter on the face.
Bolognese Dogs Hypoallergenic
Bolognese Dogs shed at minimal levels hence regarded hypoallergenic dogs that make great pets for people who suffer from low to mild allergies. However, there is no truly 100% hypoallergenic crossbreed or pure bred dog. Therefore, parents should spend lots of time with a Bolognese before adopting to ensure it does not trigger their allergies.
Bolognese Dog Training
The Bolognese Dogs are intelligent pets that are easily trainable if positive reinforcements methods are used. Encourage positive behavior by using toys, treats, playtime, verbal praise, and petting. Avoid yelling since it makes training counterproductive. Keep the training sessions fun, engaging, and short to avoid boredom. This breed is prone to separation anxiety. Therefore, parents should leave their pets for short periods of time in a secured area preferably in a crate from day one.
Socialization is key in raising a sociable and well-rounded dog. This training exposes Bolognese Dogs to a wide variety of people, animals, places, surfaces, sight, smell, and sounds such as vacuum cleaners, door bells, sirens, washing machine, lawn mowers, and whistles. Start teaching basic command words like come, sit, stay, lie down, wait, heal, drop it, etc. once the pup joins you home from the age of 8 weeks.
Bolognese Dogs are effectively housebroken by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training. Parents should also assume pack leadership from an early age to discourage small dog syndrome. This is a human-induced habit where the dog thinks he is the leader of the pack. This behavior can be prevented by creating a pecking order that allows the dog to attain its full potential while knowing it is under the leadership of a respected, trusted, and loving leader who will make best decisions for the well-being of the entire pack.
Bolognese Dog Personality | Temperament
- Intelligent.
- Witty.
- Calm.
- Easy-going.
- Playful.
- Faithful.
- Inactive.
- Affectionate.
- Devoted.
- Loyal.
- Curious.
- Somewhat shy and reserved
Bolognese Dog Exercise
These are inactive, easygoing, and calm dogs that make great pets for senior citizens and retirees. Daily walks once or twice a day, playtime in a secured yard, teaching new tricks, playing hide-and seek, or chasing a ball rolled along the floor will meet the physical and mental needs of this breed.
Bolognese Dog Bark
Although not overly vocal, Bolognese dogs have a deeper sound when vocalizing as opposed to the yappy bark of a small dog of its size.
Bolognese Dog Height
A Female Bolognese has a height of 10 to 11 inches (approx. 25 to 28 cm) while a male Bolognese has a height of 11 to 12 inches (approx. 27 to 30 cm).
Bolognese Dog Weight
Bolognese Dogs have a weight of 6 to 10 pounds (approx. 2.7 to 4.5 kg).
Bolognese Dog Size
The Bolognese Dogs are small-sized bichon type with a height of 10 to 12 inches (approx. 25 to 30 cm) and a weight of 6 to 10 pounds (approx. 2.7 to 4.5 kg).
Bolognese Dog Health Issues | Health Problems
Although they are healthy and long-lived dogs with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years, Bolognese Dogs may suffer from certain health issues including Luxating patellas and eye anomalies.
Other dog breed include:
Bolognese Dog Names
After getting a Bolognese pup from a responsible breeder, the next best thing is getting a name for the fluffy pet. Parents may get name inspirations from the Italian heritage of the breed, coat color, nature, historical figures, movies, songs, food, and Celebrity Bolognese Dogs.
Ensure the name chosen freely rolls off your tongue and it will not be a source of embarrassment when uttered out loud. Bolognese Dogs and other pets better understand names that have vowels. If you settle with a long name, find a cute nickname for the pooch.
Avoid giving a Bolognese a name that rhymes with the command words to prevent confusion. If a Bolognese Dog shares a name with any family member or guests who frequent your home, it may cause confusion. Some of the names that Bolognese parents give to their pets include:
- Bella.
- Daisy.
- Luna.
- Gizmo.
- Silvano.
- Fabrizio.
- Ale.
- Serena, etc.
Bolognese Dog Food
The amount of food that Bolognese Dogs feed on depend on their size, activity level, metabolism, body build, and age. Bolognese puppies tend to have high metabolism as compared to Bolognese seniors and adults. Therefore, puppies should feed three or four times a day from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months.
From the age of 6 months, Bolognese dogs feed twice a day for the rest of their lives. This breed may either feed on home-made, raw, or commercial dry or wet food. However, ensure the dog food has proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. Clean water should be accessible to your pet at all times.
If the owner wants to change the brand of the dog food that the breeder was previously feeding on, they should gradually mix the old food and new food until the pet is only eating the new food. Some Bolognese Dogs may be susceptible to obesity, therefore, pet parents should watch out the weight level and calorie consumption especially with treats.
Bolognese Dog Brown | Black | Black And White | Colors
The Bolognese Dogs have a pure white coat. Although, various shade of ivory are also permissible. However, pure bred Bolognese dogs are devoid of brown, black, or black and white coat color.
Bolognese Dog Price | Cost
The average price of a Bolognese pup is between $1000 to $2500. However, the cost of a Bolognese dog will depend with the age of the dog, pedigree, and the proximity of the breeder.
Do Bolognese Dogs Smell
No. Bolognese don’t have the typical doggy odor and only require an occasional bath if they are visibly dirty.
Do Bolognese Dogs Shed
Yes. Although Bolognese Dogs are popularized as non-shedding dogs, they shed at minimal levels hence the shed hair is barely noticeable.
How Much Does A Bolognese Dog Cost
Depending on the proximity of the breeder, age of the pet, and pedigree, the cost of Bolognese Dogs is $1000 to $2500.
What Is A Bolognese Dog
This is a small-sized bichon type of breed that originated in Bologna, Italy more than 2000 years ago.
Are Bolognese Dogs Hypoallergenic
Yes. Bolognese dogs shed at minimal levels hence considered allergy friendly for people who suffer from low to mild allergies.
Bolognese Dog Quick Facts
- They are inactive dogs that make great pets for senior citizens and retirees.
- Bolognese Dogs shed at minimal levels despite being popular as non-shedding dogs.
- This breed has a single coat that falls in loose open flocks that need regular combing to prevent matting.