About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 33-46 cm

Height range  : 25-30.5

Weight range : 3-6

Coat : Long|fluffy|pure white|soft|wavy to ruffled|woolly textured|dense|low-shedding

Life expectancy years : 12-14

Colors: white|pure white.

Activitity Level : Moderate

Origin: Italy

Similar Breeds : Bichon Frise|Coton de Tulear|Havanese|Maltese|Little Lion Dog

 

History

The Bolognese likely descends from bichon-type dogs of southern Italy and Malta and was developed in Bologna , Italy. Known since at least the 11th and 12th centuries and tied to ancient Rome , the breed was favored by nobility and often gifted between aristocratic households before later recognition by the FCI in 1956.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

balanced, gentle, people-oriented, cuddly, sociable with family, can be shy or aloof with strangers, alert without extreme vocality

Personality

calm, faithful, affectionate, docile, playful, easy-going, intelligent, alert, loyal, reserved with strangers, quick learner

Needs

daily companionship, mental stimulation, regular grooming, short gentle walks, positive training, weight management, secure home routine

Social Needs

bonds very closely with owners, cannot be left alone for long, can live with other pets when socialized, better with respectful older children or supervised children, good for singles, seniors and families

Grooming 

comb every day, brush every two or three days or more often, professional grooming about every six weeks if kept trimmed, occasional bath or every two to three months, clean face and check tear stains, inspect and clean ears, trim nails regularly

Nutrition

small-breed high-quality food, little and often for toy dogs, measure portions carefully, avoid overweight, fresh water always available, small kibble may help miniature jaws, limit fatty snacks and human food

 

Exercise

gentle walks, short strolls twice daily, indoor play, games, mental stimulation

Training

positive reinforcement, early socialisation is a must, basic training helps mental engagement, patience for toilet training, firm yet positive consistency, patient repetitious training, can become fearful without socialization

 

Breed Standard

A small , sturdy and square-built companion dog with a long pure-white flocked coat that is ruffled rather than flat. The breed should show a stocky outline , long hanging ears , dark eyes , black nose and a tail carried curved over the back.

Did you know?

The Bolognese was once so prized by European nobility that it was commonly gifted between rulers and appears in artworks by masters such as Titian and Goya.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Patellar Luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Mitral Valve Disease, Cataracts

 

Symptoms

1. intermittent hind-limb lameness / skipping gait and holding the leg up while walking may occur
2. limping / bunny-hopping gait or a cracking sound when the knee is bent might appear

1. gradual hind-limb lameness / thigh muscle atrophy and significant pain during hip movement may occur
2. reluctance to jump might develop

1. dilated pupils / hesitation in low-light conditions and progressive vision loss beginning with night blindness may occur

1. heart murmur / exercise intolerance / persistent cough and rapid or labored breathing may occur

1. cloudiness or a milky pupil appearance / bumping into furniture and visual disorientation may occur

Onset of symptoms

 

Patellar Luxation

1. often manifests in young adulthood
2. anatomical predispositions are congenital

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate
2. common in many small-breed dogs

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

1. typically occurs between 5 and 12 months of age

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate
2. a known risk factor in small and toy-sized breeds

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

1. frequently presents in adulthood
2. often between 3 and 7 years of age

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate

Mitral Valve Disease

1. typically is diagnosed in middle-aged to senior dogs

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate to high
2. prevalent in small-breed populations

Cataracts

1. can be juvenile when inherited
2. can also be age-related in senior years

Probability Of Onset:

1. moderate

Reasons

Patellar Luxation

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The illness is linked to shallow trochlear grooves and improper skeletal alignment of the hind limbs.
3. The text describes orthopedic misalignment rather than a lacking nutrient or compound.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

1. Normal retinal support is lacking because photoreceptor cells progressively degenerate.
2. The provided material links inherited genetic mutations to deterioration of rods and cones in the retina.
3. This can make affected dogs vulnerable to progressive blindness.

 

Patellar Luxation

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The illness is linked to shallow trochlear grooves and improper skeletal alignment of the hind limbs.
3. The text describes orthopedic misalignment rather than a lacking nutrient or compound.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

1. Normal retinal support is lacking because photoreceptor cells progressively degenerate.
2. The provided material links inherited genetic mutations to deterioration of rods and cones in the retina.
3. This can make affected dogs vulnerable to progressive blindness.

 

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

1. Normal blood supply to the femoral head is lacking in affected dogs.
2. The provided material links this impaired circulation to bone tissue death and later joint degradation.
3. This can make the hip more vulnerable to collapse and pain.

Mitral Valve Disease

1. No specific missing chemical is identified in the provided material.
2. The illness is linked to myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve leaflets over time.
3. The text describes structural valve failure rather than a lacking nutrient or compound.

Cataracts

  1. 1. Normal lens clarity is lacking because structural changes develop within lens proteins.
    2. The provided material links these changes to genetics , metabolic conditions like diabetes or ageing.
    3. This can reduce light passage and make affected dogs vulnerable to impaired vision.

Normally Treament Methods

Patellar Luxation

  1. 1. weight control and anti-inflammatories may help management
    2. higher grades might require surgical correction

 

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

  1. 1. surgical intervention such as femoral head and neck ostectomy may be used to relieve pain and restore mobility
    2. physical therapy might support recovery

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  1. 1. no curative treatment is available
    2. management may focus on environmental stability and orientation support as vision declines

 

Mitral Valve Disease

  1. 1. monitoring with echocardiogram may be used
    2. diuretics and pimobendan might be used to support cardiac function

 

Cataracts

  1. 1. surgical removal of the cataractous lens by phacoemulsification may be used if quality of life is affected. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Patellar Luxation

  • 1. glucosamine can,might be helpful for joint cartilage support
    2. chondroitin can,might be helpful for joint support
    3. MSM can,might be helpful for connective tissue support
recommend product

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

  • 1. omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for inflammation support
recommend product

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  • 1. antioxidants can,might be helpful for supporting remaining retinal health
    2. vitamin E can,might be helpful for antioxidant retinal support
    3. lutein can,might be helpful for retinal support
recommend product

Mitral Valve Disease

  • 1. coenzyme Q10 can,might be helpful for cardiac muscle support
    2. taurine can,might be helpful for cardiac function support
    3. L-carnitine can,might be helpful for cardiac muscle support
recommend product

Cataracts

  • 1. antioxidants can,might be helpful for ocular support
    2. astaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support
recommend product