The Bolognese, one of the Bichon family of breeds, is a laid-back, affectionate toy-sized breed that is all companion dog. The most time-consuming part of Bolognese care will definitely be showering these loving dogs with plenty of TLC!
Below you'll find plenty of details on caring for a Bolognese: puppy care and development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more are covered here. For all sorts of Bolognese tips, hints, and maintenance suggestions, read on!
Bolognese exercise requirements aren't too extensive. These playful, easygoing dogs will fulfill much of their daily activity needs just running around being their fun-loving selves--but they'll still benefit from a short walk or two and a brief period of play each day.
The typical adult Bolognese will only need about 30 minutes of proper exercise per day. You can start exercising your Bolognese puppy when it's 2½ months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the puppy grows.
Precautions with Bolognese exercise:
It's recommended that owners exercise their Bolognese every day. These dogs will become temperamental, yappy, and completely unhappy if they're bored or restless--so regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few Bolognese exercise ideas:
When indoors, it's good to give your Bolognese access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.
In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs don't need much care--but they will require a lot of grooming overall. Bolognese shedding is minimal, and drooling isn't an issue.
These dogs have single-layered, fluffy white coats that shed very little. Even so, Bolognese will need frequent brushing to keep the coats neat and mat- or tangle-free. And with this white-colored breed, owners may also have to deal with tear stains from time to time.
A Bolognese almost never drools, though. If your Bolognese is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.
The Bolognese diet should include animal proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and omega fatty acids--nutrients every dog needs to maintain its health in the long term. This mean the best Bolognese food is premium dry kibble, as it contains balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.
An adult Bolognese will only need about a cup of premium dry kibble per day, divided into two meals. Puppies will need a bit less: depending on age, about ¾ cup per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months of age.
For more info on feeding a Bolognese from puppyhood through maturity, reference this chart:
*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.
Try if possible to stick to the above-listed portions. If constantly overfed (and under-exercised), these dogs can become obese--and a fat Bolognese will have numerous health problems and a shortened lifespan. Control your Bolognese's weight by having consistent feeding schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time.
If you're worried your Bolognese is overweight, here's a test: run a hand along the dog's side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time--which means more exercise and less food.
Though opinions differ, the best food for a Bolognese is premium dry kibble, particularly the kind made for toy-sized breeds. This high-quality food, while more expensive, is designed to give small dogs balanced portions of the nutrients they need. Cheap, generic dog food is not recommended for this breed, because it contains mostly empty "filler" ingredients that aren't healthy, are harder to digest, and often cause obesity.
Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, and Hill's Science Diet are three recommended brands that carry excellent lines of premium food formulated for toy breeds.
A Bolognese should handle most climates fairly well, but will be more comfortable in warmer temperatures. Never leave your pet alone for long periods of time in extreme temperatures.
Read the grooming requirements for Bolognese including coat care and other maintenance.
Go to the Next Page
