Bolognese

by Amy Tokic

Published: December 11th, 2013

About Bolognese

Weight

8-14 lb

Lifespan

12-16 years

Group

AKC Foundation Stock Service

Best Suited For

Families with older children, singles and seniors, apartments, houses with/without yards

Temperament

Playful, happy, docile, devoted

Comparable Breeds

Bichon Frise, Maltese

Height

9-12 inches

Bolognese Basics

We’re not talking about the tasty sauce – it’s the Bolognese dog we’re more interested in! A companion dog in every sense of the word, this small breed will be stuck at your side. Forever curious, he’ll want to always be with you, so it’s a good thing he’s compact. He gets along well with strangers and animals, and people will find it hard to resist this adorable little furball.

Not only is this a sweet, little companion, the Bolognese (or Bolo for short) wants to have fun whenever he can. Basically he wants to do what you’re doing. If you want to play outside, he’s willing and able. If you just want to chill on the couch, he’ll happily keep your lap warm. Wonderful for families with older children and those who live in condos or apartments, the Bolognese may be the right dog for you. Please read on to learn more about this breed.

A companion dog in every sense of the word, this small breed will be stuck at your side.

Origin

The Bolognese originated Bologna, a northern city in Italy. This is a very old breed, thought to be thousands of years old. The first recorded mention of the breed was in 1200. It was kept as a companion dog for the nobility and wealthy. A few historically famous fans of this dog include Catherine the Great of Russia, Maria Theresa of Austria and the Marquise de Pompadour, maîtresse-en-titre of Louis XV of France.

The Bolognese didn’t make its way into England until the 1990s – this may explain why it’s not a recognized American Kennel Club breed (although it is recorded as part of the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service).

Pedigree

A member of the Bichon family, it’s unclear which breed the Bolognese descended from. Some experts believe that this breed is closely related to the Maltese.

Food / Diet

As long as you feed your Bolognese a well-balanced diet, your dog will live a healthy and active life. These dogs do best on a high-quality kibble, but you may choose to go with a grain-free food as it may keep tear staining to a minimum.

You’ll be glad to hear that the Bolognese is an intelligent and highly trainable dog.

Training

You’ll be glad to hear that the Bolognese is an intelligent and highly trainable dog. He takes well to obedience training, especially when you’re using positive feedback, praise, petting and treats. If you don’t take the lead and treat your Bolo like a dog, you run the risk of promoting small dog syndrome. This is when your small dog picks up human induced behaviors and believes he is pack leader. Make sure your dog knows the rules, and enforce them gently and consistently.

Weight

A toy-sized breed, the Bolognese weights between 8 and 14 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

Entertaining and affectionate, the Bolognese makes a wonderful companion dog. As well as being playful and inquisitive, he’ll want to be the center of attention whenever he as an audience. Don’t be fooled by his small size – the Bolo will impress you with his tenacity.

The most important thing to a Bolognese is to be with you and make you happy. What noble employment! He loves to be by your side and on your lap. But because he is so devoted, he won’t like being without you for too long. This may lead to separation anxiety, which brings out behaviors such as barking, chewing and using the living room as a bathroom.

Even though the Bolognese likes children, he needs to be with older kids due to his small size, As well, he may get irritated when smaller children push him or pull him, and may nip to protect himself.

Common Health Problems

For the most part, Bologneses are a typically healthy breed. But with most purebred dogs, there are some issues that may occur. These include hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and periodontal disease due to the small size of their mouth.

Life Expectancy

The Bolognese has an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years.

Exercise Requirements

Even though the Bolognese is not an especially active dog, he will tailor his activity level to meet yours. A daily walk should be enough to fulfil his exercise needs, but if you can’t make it outside that day, play time will help tire him out. You’ll find that your Bolo will be a lot better mannered if he is taken out for regular walks. His small size and moderate activity requirements make him an ideal dog for urban areas and small living spaces, such as condos and apartments. As well, he likes to run around in a fenced-in yard or dog park.

Entertaining and affectionate, the Bolognese makes a wonderful companion dog.

AKC

The Bolognese is being recorded in the AKC Foundation Stock Service. The AKC provides this service to allow purebred breeds to continue to develop while providing them with the security of a reliable and reputable avenue to maintain their records. FSS breeds are not eligible for AKC registration. Several of the FSS breeds are approved to compete in AKC Companion Events and AKC Performance Events.

Coat

To keep his white, curly single coat (he has no undercoat) looking its best, the Bolognese will need a considerable amount of upkeep. You’ll need to brush it at least three to four times a week. To keep his coat white, you’ll need to bathe him when he gets his dirty. Most owners never trim or clip their dog’s hair, but some prefer a shorter coat.

Tear stains on the fur may be an issue with your Bolo. You can choose to lessen it with dietary changes or wipe around the eyes daily with a warm, damp cloth.

Puppies

Don’t let the cuteness of these white puffballs distract you from your duties as a pet parent – you need to start training your puppy as soon as possible. Like with any puppy, socializing is an important part of the process – you can even enroll your Bolo in Puppy Kindergarten classes.

Photo credit: Ronald Berndt/Wikimedia; Grace/Flickr; Pleple2000/Wikimedia

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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Pretty Plants that Will Stop Cats from Pooping in Your Garden

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The Court-Appointed Animal Advocate may be a thing in 2024.

What Is Dog Folliculitis and How to Treat It?

Folliculitis in dogs is a disease which causes infection or inflammation of hair follicles. It is one of the more common skin diseases amongst dogs and is caused by bacteria, fungal infections, skin irritations, or  parasites. What is more, it can affect dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds, so if it happens to your four-legged friend unexpectedly, it is best to know how to treat this pesky skin issue.What Is Dog Folliculitis?The symptoms and causes of dog folliculitis can vary. In most cases, the healthy follicle is “compromised”, which leads to the accumulation of bacteria that are otherwise normally found on your pet’s skin. The end result is great discomfort for your dog, and it should be treated as quickly as possible. But how will you know that it is dog folliculitis and not some other health issue? Well, one of the foremost symptoms to look out for is red and inflamed skin. This condition causes excessive redness and even swelling in certain areas of the skin. This should be a telltale sign that something is amiss. Together with this, you could notice pimples, also known as pustules. They are small raised bumps and often contain pus. Of course, your dog will show signs of discomfort as well. They will try to itch and  lick the affected areas, in hopes of relieving the discomfort and making themselves more comfortable. This can all be accompanied by hair loss, mostly in the directly affected areas of your dog’s coat and skin. Ultimately, in the most severe cases, open sores, scabs, and skin lesions may appear. At this point, veterinary care is needed immediately.If you suspect your dog has folliculitis, it's crucial to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can perform diagnostic tests, such as skin scrapings or cultures, to identify the specific cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. It is crucial that you do not attempt any solution on your own. Self-diagnosis and do-it-yourself treatment can lead to complications or ineffective outcomes, so professional guidance is essential. Based on the evaluation, your vet can introduce a number of treatments and solutions – here’s what to expect.How Is Dog Folliculitis Treated?Topical antibiotics and antifungal creams are the most common treatment options. They are applied directly to the affected areas and are most efficient in early and moderate cases of dog folliculitis. Of course, if the case with your dog is more serious, your vet could propose an oral treatment. This consists of special medications that work to eliminate the infection at the core. Another possible solution is using special medicated shampoos that work to heal the follicles through gentle washing. 

Library Accepting Cat Photos to Cover Your Fees

A library in Massachusetts is waiving certain fees in exchange for cat photos.

Rover Releases the Most Popular Pet Names of 2023

Whether you’re stumped for a name for your new dog or cat, or you’re just curious to know what people are naming their pets these days, Rover has some answers for you. The company released a list of the most popular pet names of 2023, and the 11th annual Top Pet Names Report also sheds light on the inspiration behind the names.Here are some of the interesting findings that Rover shared.

After 11 Long Years, a Cat That Was Presumed Dead Returns Home

Sometimes, miracles can truly happen when you least expect it! And if a pet story can be considered a real life miracle, it’s the one about Toby, a family cat that - it would seem - lived a life of great adventure. In 2012, Toby, the now 14-year-old cat of the Allan family from Warwickshire, suddenly disappeared after the family moved to a new house. It was a heartbreaking event for the entire family, but their pet was nowhere to be found. After many attempts to locate their cat, they simply had to come to terms with the fact that old Toby was lost, and presumably dead. But this week, after 11 long years, Toby was returned to the Allan family by a local woman. The lady checked the cat’s microchip and was quick to get in touch with Coventry Cats Protection."I never thought in a million years I’d see him again," said owner Justine Allan. "Toby was collected and will no longer have to scavenge for food and sleep in a cold bin store," added the Coventry charity co-ordinator Wendy Harris.Toby suddenly went missing in a chilly December in 2012, after the Allan family moved from Galley Common in Nuneaton, to their new residence at Long Shoot."[My son Charlie] was about 12 when Toby went missing, and he was heartbroken when we realized he probably wasn’t coming back," said Mrs Allan for  Yahoo "The Long Shoot is a notoriously busy road, we just assumed the worst had happened and thought he had been run over.”But almost a decade later, just 5 miles away a local Bedworth lady got in touch with Cats Protection, believing that a stray cat she was feeding was pregnant. A volunteer with the charity went out to investigate, a microchip scanner in tow. "It turned out, not only did it have a chip, but that he was a neutered male named Toby, rather than female as originally believed," said Ms. Harris.Blazingly fast, the charity managed to trace the details of the Allan family on their database, and got in touch to share the splendid news – their missing feline friend was re-discovered!Initially in complete shock, after 11 years, the Allan family rejoiced and celebrated and quickly went out to pick up their long-lost pet. During those 11 years, the family welcomed another pet into their home, a King Charles Cavalier named Bernie. But even so, Toby fits right back into the family dynamic. As if he wasn’t missing for more than a decade!

How Do I Know if My Dog is Afraid?

Experts often talk about the importance of reading your dog’s body language to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety. But do you sometimes struggle to identify if your dog is really scared or if you’re just reading into a situation? Many common dog behaviors can be misinterpreted – fear or calm, comfort or stress. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. We are here to help! This post dives deep into the basics of canine communication and body language. We’ll highlight some of the more subtle body language cues, behavioral changes, and vocalization that you should be looking out for. Plus, we’ll look at the most common situations that trigger fear in dogs, why these situations can be frightening, and how to comfort and support your dog moving forward. What’s the ultimate goal? Ensuring you have the information needed to build your dog’s confidence, improve your communication, and help them enjoy a world free from unnecessary fear and anxiety. Dedicate the time and energy today to set your dog up for long-term success (avoiding potential health complications from too much stress). Common Signs of Fear and Anxiety in Dogs Life as a pet parent would be much easier if our pups could speak up and tell us exactly what they think in each situation. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality we live in. Instead, we must learn to pick up on their non-verbal communication to build a strong and trusting relationship with our furry friends. Here are a few ways they may be trying to tell you that they are feeling “off” or nervous: Body Language One of the most important ways our pets communicate their feelings is through their body language. This includes the way they stand, the way they move, how they hold their ears or their tail, and so much more. Some signs will be obvious, while others will be more subtle. Here are some of the more common signs of fear and stress related to body language: Excessive panting YawningShowing teethLip-licking Puckering of the lips Whale eyes (showing the whites of the eyes)Large, dilated pupils Ears backward or pressed forward Tail up and stiff or down tucked between the legsCowering or standing with the body low to the ground Attempting to hide Displacement behaviors (sneezing, itching)Shaking or trembling Submissive urination Behavior Changes In addition to changes in how your dog stands or positions their body, you may notice some behavioral changes. You may find that your dog tries to back away or avoid their trigger. On the other hand, your dog may become reactive towards a trigger by jumping or lunging at it. Both these reactions signify stress or anxiety, highlighting the importance of getting to know your dog as an individual. For example, we have two male dogs in our house. When presented with a trigger, Lucifer will hold his ground while Indiana tends to back away or hide.You may also notice changes in how your dog reacts to objects or activities in their regular life. Many dogs, even those who are highly food-driven, will be reluctant to eat or take treats when stressed. Vocal Cues Finally, while we are focusing mainly on non-verbal communication, there are some vocalizations that could help you recognize that something is wrong. Dogs who are nervous, anxious, or afraid may bark at their trigger. They may also whine to show that they are uncomfortable.

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