Bolognese

The Bolognese is a breed that originated in Italy as a companion dog. It takes its name from the city of Bologne, where it was developed. Descended from the same group as other Bichon-type dogs, it has enjoyed a special place as the companion of nobility and royalty, and Bolognese have been given as special gifts from Roman times through the medieval and renaissance periods. Although it is a very old breed, it is only in the last few decades becoming widely recognized in the show world. This breed stands an average 10.5 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs from 9 to 11 pounds. It is squarely built, and the topline is straight. Under the coat is an athletic, agile, and long-muscled animal. The Bolognese has a strong back and its chest is well-developed. Both its front and its hind legs are long and straight. The tail is lowset and tapered, and is carried curled over the back when this dog is happy or excited. The pads of the feet are black, the feet small and arched. The dewclaws may be removed. This little dog has a prominent dark nose and large, round, dark, expressive eyes that are fairly wide-set. The ears are high-set, triangular and drop; they contain unusually thin skin leather. Its muscular neck is slightly arched. The coat of the Bolognese is long and falls in loose ringlets over the body; it is shorter on the face. The coat is fuzzy and light, rather than furry. This dog sheds very little, and may be suitable for the household with pet allergies. The coat color is primarily solid white, and may have small spots of champagne, particularly around the face.The Bolognese is has common ancestry with the other Bichon type breeds. Historians believe that in the time of the Romans, breeders crossed the Barbet a large curly-coated hunting dog that loves water with small lapdogs, to get the first Bichons. Eventually, these types evolved to include the Bichon Bolognese, the Bichon Maltese (commonly called the "Maltese"�), the Bichon Havanese (now called the "Havanese"�) and the Bichon Tenerife (commonly called "Bichon Frise"�). The specific Bolognese type is recorded in 12th century Italy and during the Renaissance it appears in several tapestries and paintings of some of the world's great classic artists, including Titian and Goya. During the Renaissance, the Bolognese was as well-known in the royal courts of Spain and Belgium as it was in Italy. It is documented that Italy's King Umberto gave a Bolognese to Princess Jose of Belgium on her birthday. Records also reveal that in 1668 Cosimo de Medici sent eight Bolognese by royal courier and asked his friend Colonel Alamanni in Belgium that these be given as gifts to several of the wealthy and influential families of Brussels. As the noble classes waned in the 19th century, so did the population of the Bolognese. Through the years, a few fanciers kept it from extinction, most notably Gian Franco Giannelli. The Bolognese was first taken to England in 1990 and appeared at the Crufts Dog Show in 2002. It has been listed with the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service since 1998. The Bolognese is an active dog, and needs a daily walk around the neighborhood to stay fit. Additionally, this breed is highly intelligent and needs mental stimulation and plenty of human interaction. It is not a breed that does well being left alone for long periods. Indoors, this breed is slightly less active than the Bichon Frise, and shows periods of being quite docile. The owner should check to make sure that all fencing used to confine this dog is secure, since the Bolognese is agile and can jump and even climb. This breed enjoys water and swimming and will like having a small wading pool to splash in when weather is warm. The Bolognese has surprising powers of endurance, and is capable of accompanying the owner on long hikes. Some owners may wish to involve their dog in agility trials, something at which the Bolognese can excel.The coat of the Bolognese requires daily grooming, both to keep the coat looking good and to protect the health of the dog. The coat should be brushed, care being taken to remove any tangles that might become mats. This coat is never clipped or trimmed but this dog should be bathed once a month. In the past the Bolognese showed little evidence of inherited health disorders, but that seems to be changing as the breed has gained popularity and unscrupulous breeders start affecting the gene pool. Although health issues are still uncommon, several are beginning to be seen, including: liver shunts, heart defects and disease, spine and disc disorders, and eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). A healthy Bolognese, however, generally lives to be 12 to 14 year of age, but individuals frequently see 16. This breed is playful, affectionate and inquisitive. It approaches life with enthusiasm and cheerfulness. It is inherently gentle, and although individuals may be shy around strangers, it is rarely if ever aggressive. The Bolognese wants to be with its people and be involved in daily activities. It bonds closely to its family, and individuals of the breed can be prone to developing separation anxiety when left alone. In its severe form, this can result in destructive and self-destructive behavior. Adding a second dog can help with this, as can careful training with assistance from a professional dog trainer if needed. The Bolognese is usually very good with children and with other household pets. This breed learns quickly and is fairly easy to train. It enjoys doing anything that might get a response from its owners, and is happy to perform a good trick. The Bolognese is not generally yappy, but has a keen sensitivity to noise outside the home, and will bark to inform the owner of anything amiss. With training, the owner can teach the little dog to bark to warn and then stop on command.

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