Bolognese

Brief History
The Bolognese belongs to the Bichon family group, which includes the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Lowchen, Havanese and Coton de Tulear. Pronounced “Boloneze”, this breed is considered a companion type dog. The ancestors of the Bolognese are similar ancestors to the Maltese – little dogs mentioned in Latin by Aristotle (384 – 322 BC). With their beauty, grace and charm, they became a favourite of nobility during the Renaissance and were given as very much appreciated gifts amongst people of power at the time. King Umberto of Italy gave a beautiful little Bolognese to Princess Jose of Belgium on her birthday. Over time the Bolognese became near extinct. Gian Franco Gianelli of Italy loved the breed and with hard work and perseverance he was able to restore them to their present-day popularity.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 12 to 14 years.

Temperament
The Bolognese is playful, easy going, earnest, willing, intelligent and loyal. They are a relatively quiet dog, being more reserved than their Bichon Frise cousin. The breed is responsive to obedience training and usually easy to train, however, there can also be a stubborn streak! They are true companion dogs, thriving on human interaction and company and have been known to follow their owners wherever they go. This breed is not one to thrive on long periods of time left alone, preferring to spend time with the family inside the home. The Bolognese can be shy with strangers and puppies should be well socialised with a variety of people and in differing environments at a young age. Bolognese are true watchdogs, but not incessant barkers. They will alert their owners to visitors and anything unusual. They get along well with other dogs but are equally happy as the only dog in the family.

General Breed Description
The Bolognese is a small sized, stocky and compact breed with a long, fluffy, coat from his head to tail with a shorter coat on the muzzle. He is non shedding, thus low to mild allergy sufferers should not be greatly affected. He has a tail that curves over the back. The colour is pure white.

Coat and Care Requirements
The Bolognese’s single layer (no undercoat) coat has a woolly texture and is non shedding, usually presented unshaped and untrimmed, except for around the eyes for sanitary reasons. Regular grooming is necessary if the Bolognese is to be kept in full coat. For easier maintenance, many pets may be trimmed or clipped by a professional groomer. Regular brushing and combing will keep him free of matting. Grooming must include regular bathing, eye and ear hygiene, teeth cleaning and nail trimming.

Size
Height : Males 27 to 30cms, Females 25 to 28cms.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Bolognese are a generally healthy breed, however health conditions do sometimes occur. These may occasionally include cataracts and heart murmurs, especially in older animals. It is recommended that breeding stock be tested for PRA.

Suitability
The Bolognese will suit a wide variety of owners. They are comfortable living in homes and apartments, provided they are given moderate exercise and plenty of stimulation. They love to spend time with their family, but will enjoy periods of play outside in the backyard, which must be securely fenced. Indoor activities such as hide and seek, chasing a rolling ball and being taught new tricks are excellent activities for the low energy but playful Bolognese.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.
Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.
Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to ANKC Breed Standard http://ankc.org.au/Breed/Detail/228