Is a Bolognese the right dog for you?

Tiny, playful, and adorable, the Bolognese dog is an ancient breed that was exchanged between Roman royals in the 12^th century. Hailing from Italy, the 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 of. These toy dogs have a single coat that appears as woolly flocks all over the body.

Usually white, some might have a tinge of brown and black in their fur. Bolognese puppies 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. However, it can be a little reserved towards strangers and will take cues from their owners to react.

This family dog is not meant for busy people with difficult work routines as they can become quite anxious if kept isolated for long.

Bolognese dog health issues

As they can not grow beyond a mere foot, they are considered a toy breed and appear to be puppies throughout their lives, and they do little to negate that. The youthfulness aspects are maintained throughout their life span, although, of course, they tend to move more slowly in old 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 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 companion dog, 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.

The dogs are easy to train but use positive reinforcement training methods when training your Bolognese puppy. 

Bolognese grooming needs

Lucky enough for the pet owners, the Bolognese is a non-shedder, which makes them a good choice for allergy sufferers. Their single coat also doesn’t require trimming except around the eyes, although some owners like to keep all the fur short.

However, you will need to brush your dog regularly 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 the 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.

Paige Buckley is a senior writer, an author, and a pet lover. She has good read-following for her wonderful articles on animals. Professionally, she is a regular content writer and manager at different blogs. For her interesting and more informative content, you can visit Inspire Uplift.

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