Bolognese

Unlike the Bichon, the Bolognese's hair flows in long, wavy locks, giving him the look of a fairy tale dog fallen ever so slightly on hard times. Sometimes a bit shy, he's something of a one-person dog, never happier than when he's in your lap. Looking out of a fluffy ringletted body are round dark eyes that draw you in with their sweet expressiveness. Beneath that cloud of curls, the Bolognese is a sturdy little dog who loves to have fun. He doesn’t need long walks every day, but if that’s what you want to do, he’s right there with you, willing and able. If being a couch potato is more your style, he’s good with that, too. He is curious, comical, devoted and smart. The Bolognese, sometimes known as the Bichon Bolognese, is one of several little white dogs that have been known in the Mediterranean for at least 2,000 years. You may be familiar with his cousins: the Bichon Frise, the Coton de Tulear, the Maltese, the Havanese. The dog was popular at ducal courts in Italy, in particular, Bologna, from where he takes his name. If you're the kind of person who can't tell an adorable little white fluffball "no," you're going to have some problems with your adult Bolognese. Of course you can spoil him; that's what toy dogs are for, but giving him lots of love and attention, along with the softest spot in the house (your lap, most likely) doesn't mean you have to let him get away with nipping, snapping or nuisance barking. Make sure he knows the rules, and enforce them gently and consistently from day one, and he'll be a prince without being a tyrant. Although the Bolognese can be a wonderful family pet, this may not be the right breed for families with young children. These dogs can easily be injured if play is too rough or even snap at a child if frightened. However, they love children, so as long as play is supervised and the children are gentle, dog and child can be fast friends. The curly coats of these lively little dogs require daily brushing and occasional professional grooming. Neglected coats become matted, which is painful and can lead to serious skin infections. The Bolognese is an entertaining and affectionate companion dog. He loves to be the center of your attention, and he’s sure to win you over with his playful and inquisitive disposition. He is intelligent and highly trainable. Though he is small, he is robust and resilient. He is the perfect lap dog. He is not especially active, but he will tailor his activity level to yours. His whole goal in life is to spend time with you and make you happy. The Bolognese is a great friend to kids, but he’s best suited to a family with children age 9 and up due to his small size. Older children are more capable of handling him carefully. The flip side of this breed’s strong devotion to his owner is he doesn’t like to be left alone. He can suffer from what is known as separation anxiety, which can lead him to engage in bad behavior like chewing, barking or soiling the house if left alone. Start training your puppy the day you bring him home. Even at eight weeks old, he is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him. Don’t wait until he is 6 months old to begin training or you will have a more headstrong dog to deal with. If possible, get him into puppy kindergarten class by the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, and socialize, socialize, socialize. However, be aware that many puppy training classes require certain vaccines (like kennel cough) to be up to date, and many veterinarians recommend limited exposure to other dogs and public places until puppy vaccines (including rabies, distemper and parvovirus) have been completed. In lieu of formal training, you can begin training your puppy at home and socializing him among family and friends until puppy vaccines are completed. Talk with a reputable, experienced Bolognese breeder. Describe exactly what you’re looking for in a dog, and ask for assistance in selecting a puppy.