Fun Bolognese Dog Facts For Kids

The Bolognese is one of the native purebreds of Europe who were discovered around the 12th century and were named after the popular city of Italy called Bologna. They have always been good companions of the aristocrats in Italy and soon they achieved popularity all over the continent. They are small and extraordinarily charming and comparatively healthier than the other breeds but they can sometimes develop certain health conditions. So along with substantial grooming, a routine check-up is essential for better health. They were introduced in Britain by Liz Stannard. Their breed went through a crisis after World War I when their population decreased to such an extent that they were on the brink of extinction. The Bolognese is often mixed with other breeds to get a new breed, for example, the Bolo-Tzu is a Bolognese mix dog, same as Bolo-Chi and Bologco.

Before getting a Bolognese you have to keep a lot of things in mind. The Bolognese puppy is vulnerable and tiny so the breeder or the owner has to be exceptionally cautious. They respond quickly to their training and as they have a very friendly temperament, training them is not that difficult. However, they can be manipulative at times. They require moderate exercise and like to be around children (over eight years) as well as with elderly people and they do not face problems sharing their space with other pets. The Bolognese dog costs around $1200-1400 USD because of their low availability. It is better to adopt one instead of buying. Find the Bolognese interesting enough? Read on to know more about these fluffy little toy dogs!

If you like this article, you may also check out some fun and interesting facts about Boerboel and Swedish Vallhund.

What type of animal is a Bolognese dog?

The Bolognese is a breed of a small dog that belongs to the Bichon clan and is named after the Italian city, Bologna.

What class of animal does a Bolognese dog belong to?

This Bolognese breed belongs to the class of Mammals.

How many Bolognese dogs are there in the world?

The Bolognese breed was once a part of the aristocratic culture of Europe. They have an Italian origin but soon they became a well-known breed all over Europe. Their population started declining after the World Wars and they were on the verge of extinction but this breed was saved by a group of dog connoisseurs. However, this purebred is still rare but the exact number has not been estimated.

Where does a Bolognese dog live?

The Bolognese dog breed is an aboriginal Italian dog named after the city of Bologna, Italy. Hence these dogs have a European origin. These small dogs during the time of the Italian Renaissance were very popular among the aristocrats. In recent years it was brought to the US but its population is limited.

What is a Bolognese dog's habitat?

The Bolognese dogs are presently found in the household as home pets and they always have been an affectionate companion since their discovery. They get along with humans very nicely and they are very adaptable to apartment life.

Who do Bolognese dogs live with?

The Bolognese dogs are home pets. Hence they live with humans. They are not pugnacious. However, their temperament may change so early socialization is also crucial. They are comfortable around other dogs as well so they can live in pairs or groups.

How long does a Bolognese dog live?

The average lifespan of this dog breed is 12-15 years. They are a healthy breed but their lifespan can be affected by various conditions and diseases. The Italian Bolognese dog is relatively high on maintenance. Along with their grooming, it is also crucial to look after their health especially when they start aging. Their average lifespan can be affected by some inevitable genetically transmitted health problems or some acquired diseases. They are vulnerable to conditions like Cataracts, Patellar luxation, tear stains, Retinol atrophy, and others.

How do they reproduce?

The Bolognese dogs reproduce by mating just like all other dog breeds. When this dog breed becomes mature enough to reproduce the female dogs have a definite duration called proestrus and they go through this phase for nine days. This is the phase when the males start getting attracted to them. The second phase is called Estrus which prevails for 3-11 days. It is when the females reciprocate the males and they are ready to mate. The male dog and female dog mate during this phase. The average duration of their gestation phase is around 60-65 days and their litter size is approximately two to five but they can give birth to up to six puppies.

What is their conservation status?

In the 19th century with the growing popularity of other companion breeds their population depreciated. These small dogs were once on the brink of extinction in the 20th century, when Europe was jeopardized because of World Wars which had an impact on the population of these little dogs, and then some dog aficionado saved this breed. However, this purebred is still very rare and in 1995 the United Kennel Club completely acknowledged this breed. A tiny population of this breed prevails in the US too but they are a vulnerable breed.

What do Bolognese dogs look like?

The Bolognese breeds are small in size with a height of 10-12 in (25.4-30.4 cm). The Bolognese belongs to the same group as the Frise, Lowchen, Maltese hence they look more or less the same. The coat is curly and completely white of all the dog breeds. The Bolognese weighs around 5-9 lb which also depends on various factors like age, height, and gender of this dog. The Bolognese may look fluffy and heavy but it is just because of their coat that gives the fluffy appearance otherwise they are built finely. Their tail is of moderate length and is often seen curled but relaxed sometimes as well. Their fur covers their whole face leaving no space for other features to be visible other than their glimmering dark round eyes. Their head is elongated and form one-third of their height and their ears are droopy.

How cute are they?

The Bolognese is a small-sized breed with a fluffy pure white coat which makes it look like a walking furball. This little dog is goofy, extremely cute, and has a friendly temperament. The small stocky figure has only their eyes visible through their white fluffy coat and they can manipulate anybody with their cuteness.

How do they communicate?

The Bolognese breed communicates through vocal methods like barking and several body languages and expressions to communicate with their owners. As they are very sensitive, it is crucial to read their behavior and body language because certain phenomena like separation anxiety can cause attitude change in this breed. The Bolognese temperament is relatively friendly but they have the tendency to bark a lot to communicate with their owners if they need attention or if they are alarmed, happy, or having separation anxiety. Hence it is better not to leave them alone for too long.

How big is a Bolognese dog?

The Bolognese has an average height of 10-12 in (25.4-30.4 cm). They belong to the group Bichon and they are slightly bigger than the Coton De Tulear which belongs to the same group as well.

How fast can a Bolognese dog run?

The Bolognese dog doesn’t need a substantial amount of exercise but requires daily walks even if they are not that active. They are quick but their exact speed is not determined.

How much does a Bolognese dog weigh?

The weight of a Bolognese dog full-grown is 4-9 lb which is the average weight of both males and females.

What are their male and female names of the species?

The Bolognese male species is known as a dog while the female species is known as bitch.

What would you call a baby Bolognese dog?

A baby Bolognese is called a Bolognese puppy. The puppy is very small and you have to be very careful with the puppy when they decide to take the puppy home. It is also advised not to leave the puppy alone with small children owing to its small size and to avoid injury.

What do they eat?

This dog breed is carnivore hence they eat meat, fish, eggs, and also high-quality packaged food that is available. The diet of a bolognese puppy differs from the diet of a grown-up Bolognese. Adult dogs require meals twice a day but not in a large amount because they are toy breed but their metabolism is relatively high. High-quality dog food can be purchased from outside or even homecooked meals can be served which retain all the essential nutrients and fulfill their daily requirements. The puppy, on the other hand, should be given small amounts of food all through the day and as they grow up their diet pattern shall also be subject to change.

Are they hypoallergenic?

The Bolognese are hypoallergenic dogs as they can be counted among the breeds which cause the least allergic reaction. It is hard to determine if a dog is completely free from causing allergies because there are exceptions and allergies are not caused only because of their coat. Other than the coat of the dog, factors like saliva and dog skin flakes may also cause an allergic reaction.

Would they make a good pet?

The dog breed is a companion dog with a rich heritage because they were a part of the aristocratic European culture. These dogs are that one particular breed that people would have around them because of their temperament. The Bolognese dogs are toy dogs and extremely human-friendly, however early socialization is also important. The Bolognese dog breeds are incredibly loyal to their owners and can adapt in any space even in apartments. They do not require a large yard to run around and play. They are good even with children but it is advised not to leave them with children below eight years of age because they are a toy breed and unknowingly any accident may happen. They can be extraordinary partners to elderly people. They are an intelligent breed and respond to training, so training them is not tiresome. They must not be left alone for too long or else this may cause separation anxiety in Bolognese dogs. Separation Anxiety is a condition that causes behavioral change in dogs often displaying signs of distress when they undergo separation from their master or if they have been left alone too long as they are incredibly sensitive. They are compatible with other dogs as well and do not show aggression primarily so you can keep a Bolognese breed with another dog of the same kind or different. The Bolognese dogs have significant grooming necessities because of their fluffy coat and daily brushing at least once or twice of their coat is essential to make them manageable.  These dogs do not require extensive exercise. However, taking them for a 20-25 minutes stroll is recommended to keep them fit and active because their energy level is limited and they prefer resting over anything which may lead them to be over-weight. The Bolognese is purebred and hence they are reasonably healthy but with age, they are more vulnerable to illness and health conditions especially eye problems. Overall these dogs are an extraordinary pet to have around and the Bolognese dog prices are on the higher side somewhere between $1200-1400 USD.

Did you know...

Here are some curated facts about the Bolognese dogs for you.

These dogs are still not acknowledged by the American Kennel Club.

Titian, a renounced painter from Venice, painted Duke Frederico embracing his Bolognese.

In the tapestry work composed by the Flemish artisan, these Bolognese breeds can be detected which dates back to the 17th century.

Where does a Bolognese dog get its name from?

The Bolognese belongs to the Bichon Clan and is also known as Bolognese Toy dogs and Bichon Bolognese dogs which has an origin in Italy but the precise lineage of this breed is still unspecified. Since the 13th century their presence had been documented, and later gained enormous popularity in Roman Italy. They are named Bolognese after the famous city of Italy called Bologna and soon they were included in the culture of the aristocrats.

Is a Bolognese dog smarter than a Bichon Frise?

The Bichon Bolognese, Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear, and Havanese are similar dog breeds but they have distinguished characteristics and appearance which differentiate them from each other. The Bolognese differs from the Frise on various levels apart from their temperament and appearance as they possess higher intellect than the Frise. Studies have found that Bolognese is an intelligent dog and responds to their owners more promptly than the Frise. The Bolognese is perpetually enthusiastic when it comes to amusing their owners and they have amazing manipulation skills. On the other hand, the Frise dog cannot always have their way with their owners because they lack the skill of manipulation. They are not as good as the Bolognese when it comes to pleasing their owners. Hence the Bolognese's score on the smart card is much higher than the Frise.        

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including a Toy Poodle, or Bichon Frise.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Pomeranian coloring pages.