The Bolognese is a small and compact dog with white fur and Italian origin. It is related to the Bichon Frize and the Bichon Havanese, and is a rare and difficult dog to get.
This is a dog worthy of a court, loved and respected by monarchs, princesses and counts. The Bolognese with character and elegant appearance while inspiring affection, was very famous and acclaimed in the eleventh and twelfth centuries in the Italy of patron families such as the Medici and became a great gift in the sixteenth century for those families like the Spanish family of Felipe II, who already had everything but still knew how to value the company of a faithful friend. To find out more about its origin and get to know all about the Bolognese dog, keep reading and find out in this breed file on our site.
Origin of the Bolognese
This is one of the dog breeds that originated in the Mediterranean and belongs to the bichon family. Their ancestors, common with those of the M altese Bichon, were already known in Italy and M alta in the 11th and 12th centuries. During the Renaissance, the breed was very popular in the Italian city of Bologna, which is where the name comes from, where it became a gift among we althy families. Later, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Felipe II called it "the most majestic gift that can be given to an emperor" and, years later, it would be captured by Goya, Titian and other masters of painting.
During the First World War, the Bolognese was on the verge of extinction, as were many other dog breeds. However, the passion of some Italian and Belgian breeders allowed the breed to be saved. Today, the Bolognese is a less popular dog but not in danger of extinction. It is rare in America and more frequent in some European countries. It is purely a companion dog but it is also used as a show dog.
Physical characteristics of the Bolognese dog
This dog's body is small, compact and square in profile, that is, the length from the shoulder to the buttock is equal to the height at the withers. The back is straight but the withers protrude slightly, while the loin is slightly convex and the croup is wide and slightly oblique. The chest is broad and deep, the ribs well sprung and the belly slightly retracted.
The Bolognese has a slightly ovoid head, but flattened at the top. The skull is slightly longer than the snout and the stop is well pronounced. The nose is black and voluminous. For its part, the round, large and dark ocher eyes are arranged almost frontally. The ears are set high, long and hanging. The tail of this dog is arched and originates from the same line as the rump.
The Bolognese has long hair over the whole body, forming tufts. The coat is shorter on the muzzle and there is no undercoat in this breed. On the other hand, although in its origins we could find it in black and white, currently the only color accepted by the International Cinological Federation (FCI) is pure white
The weight of this dog breed ranges from 4-5 kg, and its height is usually around 27-30 cm to the withers in males, and 25-28 cn in females.
Character of the Bichon Bolognese
The Bolognese Bichon is characterized by having a docile, calm and loyal characterAt home it tends to be inactive, although outside it tends to be more energetic. He is very attached to his human family, so he needs constant company, being inappropriate for those who spend long hours away from home. In this way, if he spends a lot of time alone, he has a tendency to develop behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, as well as excessive barking, protection of resources or becoming a destructive dog. For this reason, its adoption is recommended for adults or families with not very young children who can dedicate the time they need to the animal. It is also an excellent breed for first-timers who decide to share their life with a dog for the first time.
This breed of dog tends to get along well with other dogs and animals, while it can become very shy around strangers. In this sense, and although it is not usually aggressive, it is very important to socialize it as a puppy to reduce its shyness and even avoid it during its adult stage.
On the other hand, the Bichon Bolognese is an intelligent and very obedient dog, so that when properly educated and well cared for, it is an excellent life partner.
Bolognese Bichon Care
Hair care can be a hassle for many people. The coat of the Bichon Bolognese tends to tangle easily and it is necessary to brush and comb it daily It is also a good idea to take the Bichon to the dog groomer about once a month, and bathe the dog with the same frequency. Of course, it is not recommended to cut the hair of the Bolognese because, as we have already mentioned, it does not have a double coat. An advantage of this dog, however, is that it does not shed and is therefore hypoallergenic.
The Bolognese does not require a lot of physical exercise, but it does need to go out for a walk at least three times a day to enjoy the fresh air, nature, and relieve themselves. Small dogs tend to urinate more times than large ones due to the size of their bladder, so it is therefore important not to skip daily walks if we want to prevent them from urinating indoors. On the other hand, it is necessary to offer the Bolognese a moderate play time, since, as we said, it is an energetic dog outdoors that enjoys running and playing. Likewise, obedience training can complement physical exercise and help keep your mind well stimulated.
On the other hand, remember that these dogs need a lot of company, so it is not good to leave them alone for a long time. They are not dogs to live in a garden or patio, and they need to be inside with the family most of the time. They can adapt very well to living in apartments and populated cities.
Bolognese Bichon Education
As we pointed out earlier, the Bolognese is an intelligent dog and, as a general rule, easy to train when trained properly. Being a small companion dog, he does not excel at dog sports but can really enjoy practicing canine freestyle or agility.
As we discussed, this breed of dog responds very well to training when it gives priority to positive reinforcement, as in clicker training. As with other dogs, it is not recommended to use traditional training, violent punishment or the use of force to educate the animal, since the result would be an aggressive, fearful dog with numerous behavioral problems.
In addition to clicker training, the use of prizes, caresses and congratulations is more recommended to educate the Bichon Bolognese and obtain optimal results. And if we combine a good education to obtain obedience with an early socialization we can achieve a perfect balance. In this way, we see how puppy socialization is a fundamental part of training that we cannot ignore if we want to enjoy a stable companion, capable of relating to all kinds of dogs, cats and people without feeling fear or rejection. Likewise, remember that if the Bolognese does not receive adequate socialization, it can become shy with strangers.
On the other hand, in addition to ensuring correct socialization, we will have to teach the puppy where to perform his needs, as well as to inhibit the bite if we observe that he tends to bite too hard while playing and walking with strap We must also take into account that the Bolognese is a very affectionate dog, with a tendency to become very attached to his human family, so spending a lot of time alone at home will not be pleasant for him and will lead to destructive or barking behaviors to kill anxiety. Therefore, we emphasize that the best thing for this dog is a family life where there are older children and times are arranged with adults to avoid excessive time alone.
Bolognese He alth
The Bolognese tends to be he althy and there are no known diseases specific to this breed. Of course, you still have to provide all the veterinary care that all dogs require, such as mandatory vaccinations, deworming measures to prevent the appearance of fleas, ticks and mites, as well as the regular check-ups established by the specialist.
On the other hand, feeding is the basis of all he alth, so offer the Bolognese a quality food and monitor the amount of daily food to avoid being overweight is the key to ensure that it grows he althy and strong. If the diet selected to feed this breed of dog is dry feed, we recommend opting for those made with natural ingredients and completely free of grains. And if what is intended is to follow a homemade diet to feed the dog with meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, etc., you have the popular BARF diet or you have the option of preparing your own recipes following the semi-raw cooking method, it is that is, cooking products in hot water to seal them on the outside but leave them raw on the inside.
If we offer our furry companion all the care it needs and go to the vet regularly, the Bolognese can be with us for an average of 14 years.
