Caring for a Bolognese Puppy: What to Know

All puppies are wonderful, but Bolognese puppies are definitely a special breed to have as a pet. These beautiful, snow-white pups have Royal Italian roots which are only one of the many interesting facts you’ll want to learn about the Bolognese breed before deciding to adopt one. 

Other things you will want to know about the beautiful Bolognese dog include what kind of personality traits you should expect from them, any grooming or care needs that cannot be neglected, and of course, what sort of health problems they could potentially run into in their lifetime. 

Background

The Bolognese breed gets their name from the place where their breed is said to have first been born -Bologna, Italy. The existence of this beautiful breed has been recorded in history as early as the eleventh century. During this time period, the current king of Italy gifted one of these little dogs to the Princess of Belgium for her birthday. From that point on, the Bolognese dog has continually gifted among the countries royalty and the breed made its way around the globe. 

There eventually came a time period when the breed nearly went extinct! This was sometime between World War 1 and 2. Many breeds were nearly lost during this time period, but thankfully most were able to recover. The Bolognese breed specifically can thank an Italian man by the name of Gian Franco Gianelli. He was so incredibly devoted to this breed and their survival, he did whatever he could to revive the breed and save them from extinction, and he was successful. 

Personality

The best way to describe the Bolognese puppy’s temperament is that they are truly made to be your companion. They love to be with their human families and spend time with them. Although, their royal background might have them convinced that they rule the roost at times. You may find that your Bolognese puppy grows up thinking that they call the shots. 

If you are living in an apartment, adopting a Bolognese puppy might be a great decision on your part. They make great apartment dwelling dogs, as they don’t particularly need a lot of space to run around and be active in. Maybe as puppies, you will find that they are full of energy, but as the Bolognese grows older their favorite pastime will be to sit or lay by your side wherever you are. Although, if you tend to spend a lot of time away from your apartment and cannot bring your Bolognese puppy with you, you might want to reconsider. The Bolognese dog, as a breed, doesn’t enjoy spending a lot of time home alone without its human companion. 

Grooming

The fur on your Bolognese puppy may seem intimidating, but it can be tamed. It may come as a surprise to you to learn that the Bolognese puppy is actually a non-shedding breed. They lose very little fur, making them considered to be hypoallergenic as well. 

If you want to keep your Bolognese pup’s fur long, regular grooming is necessary, especially around their eyes and face. This is mostly for hygienic purposes. Some owners of Bolognese dogs prefer to keep their coat short so that it is more easily managed at home on a regular basis. Starting grooming practices early with your Bolognese puppy is important so that they can become used to being handled and brushed on a regular basis without becoming too stressed or uncomfortable. 

Nutrition

The Bolognese dog, as a breed, can typically eat any high-quality dog food that you can find at any pet store. Your dog’s vet can also recommend different dog foods to you if you aren’t sure which one might be best for your Bolognese puppy. Just keep in mind that you will want to buy food that is right for their age. 

When you bring home your Bolognese puppy, be sure to have dog food that is formulated for a young puppy. Puppy chow is packed full of lots of extra nutrients to keep up with their high energy and fast growth.

If you prefer making homemade meals for your pup, here are some of the best DIY dog food recipe that you can try:

• DIY K9 Mini Tacos for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Turmeric Biscuit for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Chicken Patties for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Carrot Boats for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Stuffed Pawtato for Dogs Recipe
• DIY Doggy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Health 

Two of the more common health problems that can occur with Bolognese puppies are luxating patella and potential eye problems. The breeder of your Bolognese puppy should have screened the puppy as well at its parents before putting their puppies for sale. They should also be able to present you with paperwork that certifies the health of the puppy and its parents when you are doing business with them.

Conclusion

All in all, if you are in the market for a hypoallergenic, low-shedding breed of dog who loves their families, the Bolognese puppy might just be the perfect choice for you. Their cotton-like fur coats may not let you believe that they are allergy-friendly pets, but they truly are. Their little body holds a big personality, from loving and affectionate, to believing that they are the ones who call the shots in the house. They make great companions for those who tend to spend a lot of time at home and want a little furry friend to spend that time with. 

Are Bolognese dogs hypoallergenic?

These fuzzy dogs may not appear to be a breed that won't aggravate the allergies of someone who is sensitive to dogs. But they are in fact hypoallergenic, mostly due to their low shedding nature. Their fur does require quite a bit of upkeep, but not to prevent shedding or allergies. The grooming upkeep is purely to keep their long fluffy fur under control and hygienic.

Do Bolognese dogs bark a lot?

The Bolognese dog may be small in stature, but they do not yip and yap at anything that moves, like many other small breeds of dog are known to do. When a Bolognese dog is socialized properly as a young pup, they will be more than happy to meet new human and canine friends and not greet them with a lot of barking.

How long do Bolognese dogs live?

Typically, a Bolognese dog will live a good, long 12 to 14 years on average when they are kept in a loving home and provided with all their necessities. Sometimes health problems will arise, but the Bolognese dog is a generally healthy breed of dog.