10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Bolognese Dog
The Bolognese Dog is an Italian breed that has earned a reputation for being excellent companions. In fact, the breed has been bred over the course of centuries for this precise purpose, which has had an enormous effect on its characteristics. Something that should come as welcome news for people who are looking for some canine companionship. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about the Bolognese Dog:
1. It Is Named for Bologna
Of course, the Bolognese Dog is named for Bologna, which has been one of the most notable cities on the Italian peninsula for a very long time. This is because people believe that the breed was established in Bologna, but in truth, no one can be sure because the breed has existed since at least 1200 AD, meaning that the records are rather lacking.
2. Related to the Maltese
Generally speaking, the Bolognese Dog is considered to be a member of the Bichon family. As a result, it has some similarities with breeds such as the Bichon Frise, but its closest relative is believed to be the Maltese. Unfortunately, its exact relationship with the Maltese is unknown, as shown by how people are unsure which one led to which.
3. Has Roots with Italian Nobles
Considering its status as a companion breed that has existed for centuries and centuries, it should come as no surprise to learn that the Bolognese Dog has strong connections with Italian nobles. After all, while other classes of people were perfectly capable of getting along very well with their dogs, there weren’t a lot of people in pre-modern times with the means as well as the willingness to own dogs for the sake of nothing but canine companionship.
4. Single Coat
One of the most interesting characteristics of the Bolognese Dog is the fact that it has a single coat. This is in contrast to other breeds with a double coat, which tends to consist of a soft undercoat as well as a much tougher top-coat.
5. Said Not to Shed
Breeds with single coats shed less. In the Bolognese Dog’s case, this is so much so the case that a lot of people out there claim that it doesn’t shed. That is an exaggeration because the Bolognese Dog loses and replaces hair on a regular basis, though it is true that it won’t shed huge amounts of hair within a short period of time like some of the other breeds out there.
6. Need Companionship
The Bolognese Dog can get along well with both humans and other household animals so long as it has received the right upbringing. However, there have been reported cases of members of the breed suffering from problems such as separation anxiety because they aren’t getting enough attention from their owners.
7. Intelligent but Stubborn
Often, it is said that the Bolognese Dog is an intelligent dog that can be trained with relative ease. Unfortunately, there is a potential issue in that the Bolognese Dog can be stubborn as well, which can pose a serious problem for owners who aren’t used to handling such issues by both offering variety and making good use of positive reinforcement.
8. Watchdogs
Bolognese Dogs pay close attention to their surroundings so that they can warn their owners if they believe that something is wrong. They are said to be reserved when around strangers, but will take their cues on how to behave from their owners, meaning that this shouldn’t be too much of a problem so long as their owners are around to give them those cues.
9. Not Hyperactive
The Bolognese Dog can be playful, but it stops short of being called hyperactive. This makes them a good choice for people who want a canine companion but don’t want to engage in too many activity because of their dog ownership. With that said, a regular walk can still be very useful for keeping them in a state of good health.
10. Not Good with Younger Children
Bolognese Dogs are great canine companions, but they are not a good choice for families with younger children. This isn’t a problem with the breed. Instead, it is a problem with the children, who might not have the control needed to handle such small dogs without accidentally hurting them.