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Playful, easy-going, and devoted, the Bolognese is a true companion dog who loves to be at his family’s side. A fluffy white dog with a lot of personality in a tiny body, the Bolognese is known to be the Italian cousin of the Maltese breed.
See the fact file below for more information on the Bolognese Dog or alternatively, you can download our 18-page Bolognese Dog worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY
- The Bolognese is a member of the Bichon family group, which consists of the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Lowchen, Havanese, and Coton de Tulear.
- This ancient breed has roots linked to Italian aristocracy.
- Its accurate ancestry is still a mystery. The Bolognese’s closest relative within the Bichon category is the Maltese; however, it is ambiguous as to whether the Bolognese is the direct ancestor or descendant of the Maltese.
- The Bolognese derived its name from a city in northern Italy – Bologna – which is thought to be the breed’s place of origin.
- Their existence has been documented since the year 1200 AD.
- Bolognese dogs have been featured in the tapestry work of Flemish craftsmen way back 17th century. The Venetian artist Titian painted Duke Frederico Gonzaga with his Bolognese. These dogs were also spotted in the works of art made by Goya Gosse and Watteau.
- Other distinguished owners of the Bolognese include Catherine the Great of Russia, Madame De Pompadour, and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.
- In 1990, they were first imported to England by Liz Stannard and were initially shown in the breed registry that same year.
- In 2001, these dogs were able to be displayed at all shows with their own classes. A year after, they were first shown at Crufts, an annual international dog show.
APPEARANCE AND COAT
- The Bolognese is a tiny, white, compact, and stocky canine with a unique white single coat. Males reach 10 to 12.5 inches at the shoulder, while females stand 9 to 12 inches. Ideally, they weigh around 8 to 14 pounds.
- Its head is of medium length with a skull somewhat ovoid in shape. It has a large, black, and almost square muzzle, a well-developed jaw, black lips, where the upper lips do not cover the bottom part, and an evenly-aligned set of teeth. Its eyes are open and round, with a black rim and a dark ochre iris, and its long and hanging ears erect high. Moreover, the tail is curved over the back of the body.
- This breed lacks an undercoat; thus, sporting a single coat which falls in loose open ringlets which covers all of its body. The hair’s texture is rough and woolly, and should be never trimmed or clipped unless kept as pets.
- The Bolognese is sometimes considered as a breed that does not shed. Unlike other dogs, this breed does not seasonally lose large amounts of fur; however, it eventually loses and replaces individual hairs, identical to human hair growth cycles. Each hair protrudes from a hair follicle, which undergoes a three phase cycle, just like most mammals.
- Their coat needs daily brushing and they need monthly grooming, along with regular bathing, eye and ear hygiene, and teeth cleaning.
BEHAVIOR
- Distinctive traits of the Bolognese include: comical, easygoing, earnest, smart, and loyal. They are not hyperactive dogs and are typically more aloof than the Bichon Frise.
- The Bolognese is very receptive to obedience training. They are fast learners and easy to train, although they can be stubborn at times.
- They truly love the companionship of people and build a tight bond with their owner, following their masters wherever they go.
- Bolognese dogs make excellent watchdogs, but are not persistent barkers.
- They will figure out anything peculiar and dependably let their owners know about the situation.
- They may suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. Ideal owners of these breeds include households with children, retirees, and city dwellers. They are not good with younger children as these toddlers may injure small dogs.
HEALTH AND CARE
- Hip Dysplasia. An abnormality in the hip socket, causing crippling lameness and painful joint inflammation, such as arthritis.
- Patellar Luxation. Bolognese dogs experience dislocation of the kneecap, where the knee joint slides in and out of place, causing pain.
- Legg-Perthes Disease. This is another condition of the hip joint, which most toy breeds are plagued with. Bolognese dogs with Legg-Perthes have decreased blood supply in the head of the femur, and the head of the femur connected to the pelvis starts to disintegrate.
- Dental Problems. Bolognese dogs are usually plagued with teeth and gum problems and early tooth loss.
- Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week and trim their nails once or twice a month. Their ears should also be checked every week to avoid bad odor, redness, or any infections.
- Tearstains are not uncommon for these breeds, which can later on lead to certain eye problems or food allergies. It is best for owners to have their Bolognese dogs checked by their vets.
Bolognese Dog Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Bolognese Dog across 18 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Bolognese Dog worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the playful, easy-going, and devoted, the Bolognese which is a true companion dog who loves to be at his family’s side. A fluffy white dog with a lot of personality in a tiny body, the Bolognese is known to be the Italian cousin of the Maltese breed.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Bolognese Dog Facts
- That White Italian Dog
- Breed Standards
- Fetch Some Facts
- Bolo Through the Weeks
- Bolognese Dog FAQs
- Breed Comparison
- Other White Dogs
- Taking Care of Bolo
- Pros and Cons of Bolo
- What To Do
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Link will appear as Bolognese Dog Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 1, 2020
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.