Hello, dear lover of our furry friends, today I am going to talk to you about the Bichon Bolognese dog breed, so that you can get to know it better and see if it could be your next and most beloved pet. I will tell you about everything you need to know about the breed, from its origin and history, physical characteristics, character, care and food, health, education and more. I will also explain important things you should know about where to buy a copy reliably, and what prices you can find in the market depending on where you decide to buy it, as well as other things you should know. To the mess!
Origin and history
The Bichon Bolognese also known as the Bolognese dog, is the cousin of the better known Bichon Frize.
Formerly it was known as the typical lap dog of the kings of Bologna, Italy, hence the name and has evolved to become one of the most demanded dogs today .
They tend to confuse the Bolognese with the Frisé, but they are quite different, the most notable difference is that the second is larger than the first.
And another substantial difference is that the Bolognese are calmer dogs than their cousins.
This breed belongs to the Bichon family, originally from the Mediterranean.
Its origin dates back to the year 1200 in an area of ​​Italy, called Bologna, from which it receives its name.
They were known as noble dogs as they were preferred by the royalty of the area, and they have been seen in paintings or portraits with the Medici and other famous figures of the time.
Being a typical breed of the aristocracy, with the end of it, the breed almost disappeared, but thanks to the fans of these dogs, they were taken to other areas such as England and the United States.
In the United States it was seen for the first time around 1985 and in England around 1990.
Appearance and physical characteristics
Its appearance is very similar to that of the Maltese, a small, compact dog with a rather dense white coat.
Females are usually slightly smaller than males, but generally they are 25-30 cm and weigh between 4-5 kg.
Her face is small, with large, dark eyes.
Their original color was brown, but it has evolved and now they are completely white.
Unlike the Maltese, which has a silky coat, the Bolognese dog is more woolly.
They have a robust build, with short legs, a curved tail, and floppy ears.
Temperament and character
They are familiar, affectionate, playful and somewhat reserved dogs. Also docile and like to please their owners.
They tend to get along very well with one or two people from the family nucleus, and can have a very strong dependence on them, even suffering from separation stress. They tend to take more affection for the person who spends the most time of the day at home.
They are dogs that really like human contact and are very lapped.
They do not like strangers very much, they are somewhat shy and reserved, but if they are taught from a very young age, they socialize perfectly.
Being such small dogs they can suffer what is called the small dog syndrome, such as barking to get attention or being afraid of children.
Some of them are not compatible with households with children, since due to their small size they can feel overwhelmed or become afraid of them since children can be too effusive with them.
They are also prone to crying for attention and when bored.
This breed are very catchy to their owners so they need you to spend time with them daily .
They are excellent watchdogs but they do not tend to bark excessively unless they notice the presence of an intruder or a noise they do not recognize.
Care and feeding
They need daily care when it comes to brushing. They have wavy hair that tends to tangle easily .
In the innermost part of the coat its appearance is as if it were wool, so it should be brushed every day, if not possible, at least 4 times a week .
They are not usually dogs that lose their hair, so they are suitable for people with allergies .
They also need monthly care such as bathing, nail trimming, teeth and ear cleaning.
Keep in mind that after each bath you have to dry them very well, if possible with a hair dryer since they are prone to getting cold .
A trick before bathing is to comb it very well, otherwise afterwards it is more difficult for the hair to be without tangles or knots and it is better to bathe with a straight hand and not giving circles, and above all to rinse well.
They are also very prone to the typical black spots around the eyes, typical in the Maltese, they must be cleaned and cared for.
Being small dogs, their metabolism is faster so they need an adequate diet for it.
If we give them feed or wet food, as long as it is high-end, and if possible, without cereals and low in carbohydrates , since as carnivorous animals, excess carbohydrates harms them in the long term.
Respond very well to raw food, both meat and fish , so whenever you can, supplement your nutrition with the Barf diet, first I recommend that you study well how to prepare healthy and balanced Barf menus (on the Internet there is a lot of information about it , and in the Blog we will also talk about this topic).
Education and training
They are usually very domestic breed dogs, but despite this they need their daily walk, at least 15-30 minutes, twice a day.
They are very intelligent so they learn quickly, but on the other hand, they also get bored quickly if the games or exercises are repetitive .
The best thing is to train them with varied games, nothing repetitive and with positive reinforcement (reward them for their successes, but do not scold them effusively for their mistakes).
If we yell at them or speak abruptly and with shrieks, they will not respond well at all, they can even become depressed if they are reprimanded regularly.
You have to spend several hours a day playing with them and always have toys close by so they don’t get bored when we can’t be around them.
Longevity and life expectancy
They are dogs that usually live around 14 years . Usually they can reach 10 years without any type of health problem.
They are therefore quite long-lived dogs, and if they are well cared for, they have few health problems unlike other breeds. It could therefore be said that it is one of the most resistant small breeds against ailments, and others have very few known genetic diseases.
Possible health problems
They are very active and playful dogs, so their behavior is often similar to that of a puppy, even when they are 10 years old (they are like some adults, who do not mature: P).
They are usually one of the healthiest breeds and have few known health problems, as long as they have a good diet and good care .
On the other hand, they are dogs prone to eye problems or cataracts in some cases.
Most of the problems that can arise are genetic and among them can be:Â
- Knee problems
- Heart diseases.
- Pancreatitis
- Urinary stones.
- Epilepsy.
- Diabetes.
But all of them, with a good preventive health plan and with good controls with the veterinarian, are easily detectable and can be solved without a problem.
READ: Biewer Terrier: Origin, Characteristics, Care, Health and Images
Is it possible to adopt?
Adopting a Bichon Bolognese is an impossible task, since it is a very exclusive and rare purebred dog , which if it is already difficult to find professionals dedicated to its breeding, it is much more difficult to find specimens in kennels, in shelters or abandoned , since it is a rather high standing dog (and completely impossible if you want a puppy).
So if you have fallen in love with this dog, you have no choice but to buy it, yes, try to make it as ethical as possible. Here are some tips about it.
Where to buy a Bichon Bolognese and what price it can have
This is mainly due to the fact that females have few cubs in each litter, about 3 on average, and can sometimes reach a maximum of 7. On the other hand, it should be noted that, despite the fact that this breed is not as popular in Spain as in other countries, its demand exceeds its supply, and on the other hand, there are very few professional breeders with extensive experience and trajectory, which is why It often makes people go to unreliable sellers, whether they are professionals, shops or individuals.
We must be aware that we are buying animals, not products on Amazon made in China … What do I mean by this? Obviously an animal raised in a country like Spain, where current regulations are very demanding, will not be as expensive as raising it in a country in Eastern Europe, where regulations are more lax, and where generally, the puppies are being raised in deplorable conditions (on the black market). This obviously will not only influence the price, but also the quality and beauty of the puppy, as well as its health and temperament.
Our recommendation would be to buy a Bolognese Bichon Dog at a fair price in a certified and ethical kennel , unless it not only complies with the regulations and has a zoological center, but it should comply with the following terms that I consider essential:
That we can visit your facilities.
That we can talk with them and advise us on everything necessary, even before buying.
That we can see the puppy’s parents.
That they offer us a guarantee of genetic health by contract.
Document that proves the puppy’s pedigree (if any).
That they offer you the possibility of financing the amount in comfortable installments with low interest.
That they give us a post-sale advisory service, to resolve doubts and queries.
And if we add to this that they are rather rare dogs, we can be talking about a cost of between € 1,300 and € 2,000 approximately, for pedigree and good quality dogs (without being champions and / or of excellent qualities). If you find a Bichon Bolognese for sale for less than € 1,000, rest assured that in some of the previous points the thing will limp , and the problem is that we do not know what it will be, because it is not the same that the dog has or not pedigree (not so important) that comes with a genetic disease (this must be avoided at all costs).
How to find reliable and ethical Bichon Bolognese breeders
If we have decided to go to a Bichon Bolognese, we have to go to a professional breeder specialized in the breed, and above all to ensure the integrity and purity of the breed and its care.
That they house the puppies in suitable places and have their play and rest areas, breeding, veterinary, … etc.
They must be breeders who will watch over the puppy and care about which family it will go to and what care it will receive.
Do not trust the breeders who do not let you visit their facilities or meet the puppies. If possible they let you know the parents much better.
Well-named breeders must inform you of everything, answer your questions and advise you in a disinterested way and without any kind of haste.
For good breeders it is their life and their passion, and not a mere business, and that you should notice when talking with them and seeing their facilities.
Before deciding on one or the other, we must investigate the opinions of other buyers and verify that they are true, inform us about the company, … etc. If you are thinking of acquiring a dog of this breed, talk to us and we will recommend one of our collaborating breeders (the one closest to your area). I hope that I have been able to help you to get to know this fantastic breed better, and to solve your doubts. If you want, you can participate by leaving a comment below. !See you in the next article!
