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.
