The Dutch Tulip Hound’s history can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Also known as the Markiesje, this little dog served as a companion in some of the largest and wealthiest homes, living with royalty and the “well-to-do” crowd. The most likely ancestor of the breed is also seen in the background of many other Dutch breeds – the Dutch Spioen, and back in the 1700’s this little toy spaniel was immensely popular. Unfortunately today it is very rare and practically unheard of by most people but an effort has been made to bring this breed back to the public eye. At this time it is recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club (since 1999) and fanciers are hopeful to one day get it recognized by the FCI.

One note about the Tulip… although is is possible for a mixed breed to look eerily similar to a Dutch Tulip Hound, this does not automatically make that dog a Dutch Tulip Hound! This breed is exceptionally rare and the chances of one being found or rescued on the streets of any country other than the Netherlands is so rare that it would be practically impossible. The breed has a number of physical traits that can also be seen with various spaniel mixes which explains why some people will come to this erroneous conclusion. Not to say that those little mutts cannot make wonderful companions… just that 99.9% of them are not actually Dutch Tulip Hounds. The only way to obtain an actual Tulip is to purchase from a reputable breeder (likely one that is overseas).

In terms of the purebred Tulip – this breed is playful and tends to get along with animals of all shapes and sizes provided he is properly socialized. He is also gentle with kids although his small size means that he should be supervised with the toddler-age as he is a little delicate. With a naturally friendly temperament, he is generally social to everyone he meets without being overly demanding or obnoxious. He does, however, love attention and affection! This is a perfect dog for an owner who wants to take their pet on many outings as he is well-behaved with even minimal training. This said, he is also quite capable of staying home alone without suffering from separation anxiety (although he’d prefer to go out with you). He’s too small and good-natured to serve as any sort of guard dog but his happy barks upon the arrival of guests (both expected and not) helps to serve him as a watchdog!

Dutch Tulips are an active breed that do best in larger homes with a bit of property. They require more exercise than many companion breeds and may not be happy living in an apartment. They take well to long walks, swimming, and similar activities. They don’t let their size stop them so they can chug along quite easily with longer excursions! It might surprise one to discover that although their primary purpose is that of companion, some have been trained to do some light retrieval work with small game. Their spaniel heritage means that they have some gun dog instincts that can be put to good use!

The intelligent Tulip Hound can excel in many canine sports such as freestyle or agility. This is an active dog that enjoys being given brain games and working tasks. Like many other small active breeds, they can be prone to barking as their excitement can easily get the best of them. In addition, an owner must put down and enforce the same rules they would make for a larger dog as otherwise this breed (like so many other small breeds) can develop “small dog syndrome”.

The coat of the Dutch Tulip Hound is medium in length, without undercoat, silky, and may have a slight wave. The color is either solid black or black with white markings which cannot make up more than 40% of the dog. This is a very healthy breed that will likely remain beautiful and active for most of his life, provided his needs are met. That said, always remember that this small companion does not have an overly protective coat – he should never be delegated to being an outdoor dog, especially in cold-weather climates. He needs regular grooming – including at least a twice-weekly brushing and an occasional bath with conditioning treatment. Although he is a low-shedder he still requires this care to keep his coat tangle free, healthy, and free from dandruff.

The Odis is the first national breed of Ukraine, and was always bred purely for companionship. The name stands for “Odessa Decorative Ideal Dog” – and he was created by selectively crossing the Wire Fox Terrier, Miniature Poodle, and Maltese with the aim of breeding a social and beautiful toy breed. This project began in the late 1970’s in the city of Odessa. As time went on, gradually the result was a breed that was friendly and gentle towards people and other animals, exceptionally healthy, and reasonably easy to care for. This is a fairly young breed in terms of age, recognized recently in 2008. While they are seen mostly in Ukraine, these little dogs are gradually expanding to other countries as well including America.

Despite his small size the Odis is hardy and durable, not only in terms of disease resistance and an absence of any health issues, but also in regards to being physically fit. He is quite capable of accompanying his owner on long walks or participating in other outdoor activities. For prospective owners who aren’t super active, he doesn’t require very long walks either. This makes him very adaptable to a variety of lifestyles (or energy levels of owners). Furthermore, his energy level is not over-the-top or obnoxious and he should be relatively easy to live with. When given regular care it is common for this breed to live a very long time. The very first Odis in existence (the first deemed to be purebred) lived 19 and a half years!

The Odis is very easy to train and is known for being quick-witted and curious about the world around him. It is not unusual for even young dogs to quickly pick up obedience commands! Very intelligent, the Odis loves to please and to show off the tricks he is taught. This is a breed that is quite capable of learning high-level commands and even performing well in many dog sports. Once trained, this breed is a joy to live with in a home of any size (even an apartment).

The Odis gets along well with children as he is both playful and fairly gentle. When properly bred and raised he should never be aggressive, and instead should possess a balanced temperament and well-developed self-esteem! This happy breed is agile enough to romp with kids of all ages although supervision is always recommended. Furthermore he also gets along fine with cats and other dogs. In terms of living with a family this breed doesn’t choose favorites and will tend to treat everyone the same unless one member in particular makes a point to give him extra attention. The Odis is known for his faithful nature and his ability to form a strong, lasting bond with his owner. With strangers, however, while he is generally social he may be slightly cautious at first until he gets to know the person. Furthermore he will carry out the role of watchdog at home when someone shows up at the house.

The Odis is a small breed with a relatively strong and stout build, covered with a long, thick double coat. The standard states that there should be a similarity to the South Russian Shepherd Dog, except obviously much smaller in size. Color possibilities include white, white with spots of various colors (except liver), white with gray, dark gray, or fawn of various shades (except orange). The head should resemble a blunt wedge both from the top and the sides, and the muzzle should house thick, well-pigmented lips. All of this is somewhat hidden by the presence of a beard, mustache and bangs. The hanging ears are high set and triangular. The tail should reach the hock in length, and is normally carried low unless excited. The skin is moderately thick and elastic.

While one might think that the coat of the Odis requires extensive work, in fact this is not the case at all! He was bred to have a lower-maintenance coat (in comparison to other long haired dogs, that is). It isn’t prone to matting and although it does require brushing, it doesn’t need as much as breeds with a similar length of coat. Furthermore it only needs to be washed when dirty, and definitely no more than every two weeks. Eyes should be checked weekly for grime, and teeth should be be brushed regularly. Finally, this breed drops coat (sheds) about twice per year. Otherwise this is a relatively low-shedding breed and the coat must instead be brushed to remove the dead hair which is trapped on the body rather than falling to the floor. Once again, keep in mind that his “low grooming” is based on similarly coated breeds, and he obviously requires more grooming than a smooth coated dog.

Photo By Canarian

The Czech Spotted Dog is recognized by the Czech Kennel Club although not yet recognized internationally. Sadly, this wonderful breed was originally bred as a laboratory dog for medical research, starting in 1954. Researchers wanted a dog that was docile and calm, easy to care for, with high fertility and a “suitable body structure, size and coat”. A dog similar to a German Shepherd was bred with a dog similar to a Smooth Fox Terrier, and later German Shorthaired Pointer was crossed in. Thankfully, in the 1980’s they were no longer used for research and soon thereafter the animals that remained were given to the public. With the later addition of Small Munsterlander and a few dogs of completely unknown ancestry, current dogs are bred purely for companionship and as such are not aggressive with people, other dogs or animals, and have generally pleasant, happy temperaments. Life is a game and they love to play!

Spotteds enjoy dog sports and have been successful in a number of venues including dog trekking, obedience, frisbee, agility, conformation, lure coursing, freestyle, and participation as therapy animals. These are athletes that love physical activity almost as much as they love engaging with their owners – which makes them naturals when it comes to competition! Their social nature is also a boon as they are enjoy going new places and meeting new people (and dogs) – all beneficial traits for competition. And at the end of the day they are more than content to lay on the couch with their owners! Prospective owners should realize that the flip side to having a dog that is ready to “do it all” also means an excess of energy (and an enthusiastic bark to go along with it). Owners must be just as active as the dog in order to fulfill the needs of this spirited breed. The first couple of years in particular can prove challenging as young CSDs are particularly…enthusiastic.

Spotteds usually take quickly to training as they are very intelligent and enjoy learning obedience. This said, their particular “zest for life” means that they can also be mischievous and prone to naughtiness. Patience and regular training is key here, especially with youngsters! While obedience is important for every dog, it is especially important for this breed – not because they will try to assert dominance, but because of impish behavior. Many also have natural hunting instincts which result in high distractability around small animals. An owner should be prepared to work through this trait. While they are adaptable to many different household settings it is important that the owner be ready to provide lots of mental stimulation.

The CSD is an extremely social animal that doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods of time (he does suffer from separation anxiety). He enjoys it when guests come over and is great with kids. This is a “velcro” breed which usually prefers to follow his owner from room to room. While many owners enjoy this trait, some may find that giving the dog a household canine companion will provide another social outlet and render a bit more alone time for the human! When it comes to people, this is a gold-standard breed that will form a deep and loyal bond with his owner and those whom he trusts.

The Czech Spotted Dog can be a good candidate as a breed for a first-time dog owner (as long as the person fits his lifestyle). First, this is a medium sized breed which is not too big or too small. Second, he can make a good watchdog (alert dog) without actually being prone to dangerous guarding behavior. Third, he can adapt well to living in an apartment. These factors have made him somewhat popular in his home country although worldwide he is all-but unknown. He can make a fine companion in a home with a single person or a large family, and can even be a good choice for an elderly individual provided they can meet his energy needs.

CSDs come in two basic coat color patterns: black tricolor and chocolate tricolor, and two coat types – short and long. Both coat varieties are double-coated and the long coat is often slightly wavy. Sometimes a “transitional coat” variety appears, which is essentially a short coated individual with longer hair on the back of thighs and tail. The breed has a wedge-shaped head, folded V-shaped ears, and a saber-shaped tail often carried high.

The Prague Ratter (AKA the Pražský Krysarík) is a tiny rare breed with a delightfully friendly demeanor. His temperament has been referred to as noble – fitting for a breed often kept by royalty and even given as gifts by royalty. Originating around the year 1000, he was used both for killing rats as well as a companion dog – traits which he is still exceptional at even today. Nowadays he is still virtually unheard of in America although has been recognized by some of the rare breed registries. This is not a Chihuahua (a breed he is commonly misidentified as), nor is it a Miniature Pinscher or Russian Toy. This is a separate breed that is often even smaller than any of these other toy dogs.

Getting along with family and friends alike, the Ratter loves people of all ages including children. With strangers he is initially cautious but will make friends in time. In the home he is calm and fairly laid-back, but will come alive when presented with a toy or game of fetch! He is said to be a “large dog in a small dog’s body” and is thankfully not as “yappy” as many similarly sized breeds. Particularly loyal, a Ratter will bond with his owner and become very tuned-in to that person’s emotions.

Prague Ratters are known for being obedient and particularly intelligent. Many are even said to housebreak themselves! As they are easy to train, some owners work them in competitions such as obedience trials, tracking, freestyle or teaching them to free-stack for conformation dog shows. Other owners just teach a few tricks and call it a day. Either way, it is highly recommended that training of some sort be a part of the Ratter’s life! He enjoys interacting, learning and bonding with his owner through training sessions. Furthermore, like most tiny breeds he can be prone to “small dog syndrome” in which he can become obnoxious to live with if given zero rules, so training is a good way to bypass this. He learns best when trained with respect and with a gentle hand.

Ratters certainly have a sense of humor and can be amusing to watch as they play, and when they tire themselves out make fantastic cuddlers! These affectionate toys are gentle with people although need a gentle touch themselves – this is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world and although are quite healthy, do require common-sense caution to keep from getting hurt. That said, this agile and energetic pup does enjoy running and playing, and can even participate in active sports like agility! Just make sure to account for the dogs’ size when introducing him to new activities or when letting him play with very young children or large hyper dogs. The average weight of this breed is about 5 pounds so broken bones can occur in preventable mishaps.

The Czech Federation’s Prague Ratters Club details a strict set of rules that must be followed before any dogs can be bred. Along with being over a certain age, parents-to-be must have been successfully shown a couple of times, in addition to being evaluated by an expert for conformation, temperament and health. Ratter puppies from the approved litters are then visited by a breed advisor at the age of 6-8 weeks who will immediately disqualify any subpar puppies from receiving a pedigree. Because of the strict breeding regimes overseas, the breed is fairly healthy and uniform in type.

The Ratter can live happily in an apartment but he does enjoy going on adventures and therefore should be taken out and socialized regularly! The tiny size makes it easy to bring him on trips and into dog-friendly accommodations. He also revels in being taken for long walks, although in cold weather should be given a sweater or coat as he has a harder time in lower temperatures. This is true for both coat types – the Ratter comes in a short coated variety as well as a long coated variety.

In appearance, the Prague Ratter is a square and compact breed, with either a smooth and glossy coat (which barely sheds) or a slightly longer coat with distinctive fringes on ears, quarters and tail. The most common color is black/tan, although also just as acceptable colors include blue/tan, brown/tan, solid yellow, solid red, or merles in either black or brown. The eyes are round and wide-set on the head, which is topped with triangular pricked ears. The tail is occasionally docked depending upon in which country the dog was born, or can be long and carried slightly upright.

The Russian Salon Dog is a relatively new breed of dog, created in the early 21st century by crossing Yorkshire Terriers with Shih Tzu and a few other toy breeds. The Russian Kennel Federation recognized the breed in 2013. This is a spirited little dog with an outgoing and friendly nature. They are also highly empathic and will adapt to the mood of their owner. All they ask in return is they be given plenty of attention, affection and company – this is a dog that needs lots of quality time with their human family! Russian Salon Dogs are also obedient and take well to training.

Salons are said to keep themselves rather clean, although there is certainly a larger-than-normal amount of upkeep if one is to keep them in a full coat. Full coats must be bathed at least once every couple of weeks, and the hair on the face should be washed even more frequently! The coat does not shed, which means it must be brushed daily to keep it from getting large tangles. Interestingly, the standard includes three different hair cuts that the dogs are allowed to be exhibited in. The long coat, the “carre” which is a blunt bob cut, or the sporting cut which allows much of the body to be clipped short. This last cut allows for much easier upkeep for owners preferring to keep the dog in a shorter clip while still being allowed to show the dog if desired. Whatever the length, the coat should be straight and soft and should have “a small amount of undercoat”.

The Russian Salon tends to get along well with other animals and are usually happy, carefree and generally well-balanced. They’re friendly with other dogs, cats and small pocket pets including birds. They adapt very well as city dogs and usually have no issue fitting into an apartment or similar-sized home. While they do appreciate a small yard to play in, they can still have fun with a game of fetch in the kitchen of a small studio! Their minuscule size also makes it easy to take them on trips or vacations. Just make sure to keep them from harm – that small size also means they’re more delicate and prone to accidents.

In appearance, the Russian Salon Dog is a tiny breed, standing from 7 to 11 inches tall. He has small, triangular prick ears. Coat colors include both solid colors (with red preferred but also can be cream or sable) and bi-colors (white with red). The red color appears anywhere on the spectrum from “solid” red, cognac, wheaten, fawn, light red or golden. Intense colors are preferred and they should be evenly distributed throughout the coat. A dark mask or dark tail is acceptable in any dog. While sable is a recognized color, it is less encouraged than the other options. This said, younger sable puppies often start out with more dark hairs and gradually become lighter with age.

Photo By Галина Никишина

The Kokoni (or Small Greek Domestic Dog) is a tiny Greek breed with lots of heart and courage. Although his ancestors are ancient, it is only lately that he has been established as a standardized breed by the Kennel Club of Greece. As of this time, he is not recognized anywhere else. Extremely loyal, he adores his human family and makes a fantastic companion – the job that he was exclusively bred to do. This is an active and alert breed with an intelligent brain and a cheery disposition. His jolly antics and sense of humor provide plenty of entertainment! He even makes a fine watchdog, a decent ratter, and in a pinch will even hunt birds and small game!

When spoiled rotten and given no training, the Kokoni can develop “small dog syndrome” and attempt to take over the household and/or develop possessive behaviors. Don’t let him do that! Training is important for all dogs and little dogs are no exception! Luckily this breed is easily trained and will gladly take to house rules if obedience and manners are practiced regularly. Eager to please, he can be a well-mannered therapy dog or an obedience star if given the guidance to do so. If an owner were so inclined, he could even be trained in dog sports such as canine freestyle, agility and barn hunt. Some say that he even has enough herding instincts (from his ancestors) to allow him to be worked in treibball – a safer alternative to actual herding for this tiny toy.

Kokonis require daily walks to stay in shape and keep their minds/bodies sharp, although walks don’t need to be overly long. They can easily live in apartments or small homes because of their size and their adaptability. A walk combined with vigorous playtime will keep most Kokonis happy and content. Owners should be prepared to keep this up for the majority of the 16-18 years that their Kokoni will likely live – this is a breed with a long lifespan!

As stated above, the Kokoni is a tiny breed that often weighs less than 10 pounds and stands no taller than 11 inches for a big male. The double coat is medium-long in length and can be straight or slightly wavy. All colors and color combinations are acceptable which give them a rainbow of possibilities in appearance. The body is longer than it is tall, and the face sports ears which are triangular and hang down. The tail should curl around and touch the back when alert or on the move, although is often seen hanging normally when resting.

The Kokoni is fairly quiet most of the time although when they do see fit to bark, it is louder than one might imagine! When meeting strangers for the first time they might be more apt to bark and it may take them a little while to warm up. This said, once they get to know a person they are often very happy to have a new friend as they enjoy the company of people. With new owners, this same rule may apply as they take their time to decide that they will “adopt the person as their own”! Once that bond is formed however, it will last forever and their gentle, happy-go-lucky personalities will shine through. A Kokoni with a developed bond is devoted and loyal for life. This is a breed with a steady temperament that isn’t known for aggression or shyness as long as they were properly raised and socialized.

The Kokoni gets along well with children but all interactions must be supervised to make sure he doesn’t get hurt. For this reason, he isn’t recommended for those with very young toddler-age kids. He does have a medium energy level so has plenty of gumption to play without being overbearing (either physically or otherwise). He also is usually fine for novice dog owners as long as they are able to meet his moderate needs. Overall, although he’s virtually unknown in the United States, this is a popular breed in Greece for a reason!

The Mi-Ki has a lovable and cheery disposition along with a spirited zest for life!  Nicknamed the “sweetheart of toy breeds”, he will demonstrate his love toward his owner frequently, as well as welcoming new friends into his life. His temperament is one of his most endearing features, along with his hypoallergenic and low-shedding coat. This rare toy breed is somewhat new to dogdom, but this is a legitimate purebred dog and not a designer breed. In fact, a genetic marker for the breed does exist and the Mi-Ki can be determined purebred through a DNA test. He was created here in the United States in the 1980’s, and is currently recognized by the UKC.

The Mi-Ki has a number of handy traits which makes him ideal in all sorts of circumstances. Gentle in temperament, he tends to get along well with other dogs and pets of all sizes, as well as people of all ages. Just make sure that interactions with very young children or larger animals are closely supervised – a disparate size difference or rough play can end with injury! Along with his agreeable and social nature, he makes a good housepet as he is quiet and doesn’t tend to bark without reason. This means he is less likely to annoy the neighbors in an apartment-type setting! Finally, Mi-Kis live about 12-14 years on average and are usually fairly healthy. Occasionally eye issues crop up in certain lines and so it’s important to only purchase a puppy from a responsible breeder who incorporates health tests into their breeding program.

Although they enjoy playtime, the Mi-Ki is not overly rambunctious and tends to be calm in the home. All dogs need exercise and the Mi-Ki is no exception, however he needs very little in order to be happy. This breed needs more mental stimulation (through training, play and games) than physical stimulation, although apartment-dwellers and those without a backyard should plan on regular short walks. As he is a low-medium active breed, he probably isn’t the best choice for someone who wants a long-distance jogging companion or hiking buddy.

The Mi-Ki comes in two coat varieties: longcoated and smooth-faced. The “smoothies” as they are affectionately called, have a coat that is medium-length over the body but is short on the face and legs. Smoothies are much easier to groom as compared to the draping hair of the longcoats. Only the longcoat is currently recognized by the UKC at this time, although other registry bodies recognize both in order to keep the gene pool from becoming too small. Both varieties can come in a rainbow of colors, either solid or parti-colored, and the coat color often changes from puppyhood to adulthood. Longcoated dogs are traditionally shown with a shaved face, either leaving a beard and mustache or shaving it off – which gives them a particularly unique appearance. Finally, ear set can be either erect or hanging in both varieties which means that there is a range of “looks” for the breed.

The Mi-Ki enjoys pleasing his owner and can be easy to train, whether for obedience or for more specialized tasks. He is quite intelligent and enjoys a good challenge with his owner! Very adaptable to all sorts of tasks, he can make a good service dog, therapy dog or performance dog in a number of dogs sports. Members of the breed can compete and succeed in sports like competitive obedience, rally and agility!

Mi-Kis are easy to transport and travel with because of their tiny size and calm, quiet nature. Usually weighing no more than 8 pounds and standing between 7 and 10 inches tall, this is a true “tiny”. As should be glaringly obvious, this is not a guard dog by any means! And he may or may not be a good watchdog – some individuals will bark when people come to the door and others will not. Either way, most of them would be happy to let a “new friend” enter the home even if said “new friend” is an intruder. The social nature also extends to his family, with whom he often tries to spend as much time as possible. This is a dog that will follow your footsteps and want to be with you wherever you go.

Photo By rejohnson71 [2]

The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is the rarest member of the Bichon family. Like other Bichon-type breeds, the Tsvetnaya was bred solely to be a companion animal and tends to form strong bonds with “his people”. These little clowns enjoy making people laugh, and their hypoallergenic nature makes them easier to live with for allergy sufferers. Besides their affectionate, loyal natures and amusing senses of humor, they are also extremely smart.

Bolonki (the plural of Bolonka) have stable temperaments and tend to be very easygoing – not easily excitable. This makes them work well in homes with children or the elderly. Tending to form strong bonds, they are inherently loyal dogs with a playful streak. They will bark to alert to new people coming to the door but are, overall, very social creatures. A new person is usually greeted with a happy curiosity. The breed also gets along well with other dogs, cats and small pets. Although he is sturdy for his tiny size, make sure to supervise play with larger breeds to avoid him getting hurt! It is recommended to socialize puppies to people/places/things in order for them to become social butterflies – without early socialization, they may be more independent.

Russian Tsvetnaya were literally bred to be apartment dogs and therefore are easy to keep in small spaces. Their lack of aggression and generally quiet natures also make them neighbor-approved! A note – make sure to teach them the quiet command while young so they’ll understand when it is and is not appropriate to bark! While they appreciate regular walks, it isn’t as necessary as with larger or more active breeds. Just make sure to get them outside a couple times a week to let them stretch their legs and play.

A favorite pastime of the low-energy Bolonka is to sit with his owner on the couch, watching TV. He can do this for hours! As might be imagined, this tiny dog prefers to be with his people and hates to be left alone. Although adaptable to many situations, spending long hours alone is the the toughest for this little guy to master. Besides this trait and the slightly above-average grooming needs, on the whole this breed is normally ok for novice owners.

When it comes to training, the Tsvetnaya Bolonka is willing to please! Just make sure to keep the training firm, yet fair. A Bolonka that hasn’t had any training is in danger of exhibiting “small dog syndrome” (i.e. – the dog is a jerk), so make sure to train! Although rare, the breed is recognized in AKC’s Foundation Stock Service, which means trained individuals can compete in dog sports such as rally, agility, obedience and tracking – just another reason to teach and have fun with the dog!

The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka does need regular grooming and coat care. Although they shed very little, when they do shed the coat can get caught up in the rest of the body hair and tangle. Thankfully, the coat is easier to care for than other long-haired breeds as they were purposefully bred to have loose, rolling curls (easier to manage than stick-straight hair, this was a necessity in Russia when grooming shampoos and tools weren’t easy to come by). As long as the owner brushes on a halfway regular basis, the job won’t be difficult. It is recommended, however, to wash the face daily to keep food particles and dirt from clinging to the beard. This also serves to clean out the eyes, which can get goopy. Furthermore, as with all drop-eared breeds, the ears must be kept clean and dry to avoid infections.

Photo By Svenska Mässan on flickr.com

The Bolognese is a rare breed companion dog of the Bichon family. Owned by European nobility in their heyday, they then suffered a decline in popularity as the aristocracy began to wane. The breed had to be saved from extinction and now breeders are working hard to restore their numbers. These happy, healthy little dogs make great pets for those who are willing to wait for one!

The Bolo has an easygoing, yet affectionate temperament with a playful streak. They are extremely loyal to their families. Most Bolognese love people of all ages and are friendly to new humans once they get to know them (they may be aloof at first). They also get along well with children although shouldn’t be in homes with very young toddler-age kids as they can easily be hurt. As dogs originally bred to be companions, they also don’t do well in homes where they are left alone for long periods of time.

The Bolognese is intelligent, devoted and willing to learn when taught obedience. This said, if not trained he may show “small dog syndrome”, which basically means he will try to rule the roost in homes that don’t give him rules. So start early and work with him regularly! Many love to be the center of attention and will relish training time! While not particularly stubborn, many members of the breed aren’t very food or toy motivated, so an owner/trainer may need to use praise, movement and other reinforcement methods to keep his interest. Make sure not too use excessive force though… he can be sensitive.

Bolos tend to get along well with other dogs and pets, however they can get hurt by dogs much larger than themselves. Homes which already house large and giant breeds may want to think twice, as the size of a Bolo makes him a bit delicate! This is not saying it can’t be done – very gentle large breeds can be an exception, and enthusiastic large breeds can co-exist with a Bolo under careful supervision. Although fragile under certain circumstances, this does not mean these dogs need to be “bubble wrapped”. They are able to participate in many different aspects of life (even being camping or traveling companions), but common sense must be adhered to.

The Bolognese can live easily in an apartment but should be given walks so he can stretch his legs and see the sights. Despite his fairly large coat, he can get cold while outside in chilly weather and may appreciate a doggie sweater during that first early morning walk! Another apartment perk – most don’t tend to bark needlessly (making them better neighbors than other tiny breeds), however they will bark when things are “amiss”. Keep in mind that the Bolognese can be more difficult to housebreak than other breeds which may be a problem for some apartment-dwellers with a pet deposit!

Bolo coats are always solid white in color, and fairly profuse despite being single-coated. It should possess a cotton-like texture that forms small ringlets over the body, and is not trimmed. As such, it does require a fair amount of upkeep including very regular brushing/combing and bathing! When the dog is cared for properly, the coat should be odorless. The coat is considered hypoallergenic as it does not shed, but as is always the case with all hypoallergenic breeds, mileage may vary based on the allergy sufferer. As with all dogs, keeping nails trimmed, teeth brushed and ears cleaned are all part of the grooming routine. An owner will also have to contend with eye staining – a condition that affects many small white dogs.

Photo By Pleple2000