The Bolognese is a small, clever dog that enjoys spending time with his humans. These dogs don’t like to be left alone and are prone to separation anxiety.
Tiny, playful, and adorable, this ancient white dog breed was exchanged between Roman royals in the 12th century and would have seen the face of extinction, had it not been for the love of Gian Franco Giannelli, an Italian, shared with this species.
Hailing from Italy, Bolognese is a great pet to have, but is it suitable for you, and what sort of care does it require?
Bolognese breed traits
Characterized by a small size of 10-12 inches for males and 9-11 inches for females, the weight of these dogs range between 5-12 pounds and can live up to 14 years if taken proper care. They have a single coat that distributes in open, woolly flocks all over the body.
Usually white, some might have a tinge of brown and black in their fur. They are very mellow, swift to learn, and highly observant. Upon suspicion, they might not bark but will immediately inform their owners through different actions.
Bolognese becomes quite affectionate with their owners but is not as playful as a Retriever or Springer Spaniel. Although it can be a little reserved towards strangers and will take cues from their owners on how to react.
They are not meant for busy people with hard work routines as it can become quite anxious if kept isolated for long.
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Bolognese health issues
As they can not grow beyond a mere foot, thus are usually seen as puppies throughout their life, and they do little to negate that. The youthfulness aspects are maintained throughout their life span, although, of course, they tend to become a bit slow in older age.
Luckily enough, there are little to no genetic health issues related to them. The breed is prone to hip dysplasia. The abnormal development of their hip joint while growing can limit movement and cause limping.
Periodontal diseases also may occur because their mouths are small so that teeth can become overcrowded. An easy method of ensuring good dental hygiene is to get him a toy or chews to clean his teeth.
Regular veterinary checkups are essential. With conditions like hip dysplasia, the sooner it is diagnosed, the better your chances for controlling it and preventing complications like arthritis. Standard hip dysplasia surgeries cost from $1700-$4500.
Potential separation anxiety
One of the most noticeable characteristic traits of Bolognese is the separation anxiety, i.e. a representation of uneasy emotions in case they have been deserted for more than a few hours. They express their anxiousness by chewing different things and barking more than they usually do.
If you have to leave your dog alone for long periods, you shouldn’t consider this breed. But if you’re determined, to get this breed, there are steps you can take to reduce separation anxiety, Using items like interactive feeders or puzzle toys can help keep your dog busy and stimulated when you’re away.
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Bolognese grooming needs
Lucky enough for the pet owners, Bolognese is a “non-shedder” so you won’t find white hair lying around different parts of the house. The single coat also doesn’t require trimming except around the eyes, although some owners like to keep all the fur short.
However, regular combing and grooming are required to prevent tangles. Comb your dog before baths. To do that, take a wide-toothed comb and run from roots to the ends. After this, take him under a shower and bathe him well with a suitable shampoo. Ensure that no amount of shampoo stays inside the fur; otherwise, it will cause itching.
Blow-dry the fur while using your fingers to circulate air throughout the coat.
Finally, look for long nails, dirt in the paws or wax buildup in the ears, and clean them. Ungroomed coats can become matted, which can contribute to skin allergies.
Where to buy a Bolognese
Apart from local breeders that can help you with a pure breed of Bolognese, you can visit marketplace and search for the puppy by entering your zip code. You can also view puppies for sale at europuppy. It will cost around $1000-$2500 on the purchase of a Bolognese depending on their breeding.
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