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Buying or Adopting a Bolognese

By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

Bolognese

Interested in the Bolognese? Read each post on this page. Make sure the breed is right for you (and that YOU are right for the breed). Decide on sex and age. Then begin the exciting adventure of finding and evaluating breeders and rescue groups and selecting the right Bolognese. Don't be in a hurry!



Don't set your sights on the Bolognese until you read my advice in these posts.

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

Purebred dogs The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

Crossbred dogs The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

Mixed breed dogs The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Bolognese the right breed for you?

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton Bolognese Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

puppy

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You?

In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Bolognese?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

  • Someone home most of the day
  • Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
  • No young children in the household
  • No large dogs in the household (safety issue)
  • Sufficient exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Bolognese stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
  • "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
  • Brushing – a lot (unless the coat is clipped short)
  • Trimming/clipping – every few months
  • An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
  • A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
  • An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Bolognese are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
  • An owner who is okay with housebreaking perhaps taking a long time
  • Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Bolognese to lots of people and other animals
  • Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Bolognese, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Symbols for male and female Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Girl hugging a dog Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Bolognese?

Bolognese are very uncommon in the United States. It's much harder to find a Bolognese compared to, for example, his Havanese cousin.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
I'm not aware of any Bolognese available from a Dog Rescue group. You would need to inquire of the breed's national club.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Same as above.... I'm not aware of any Bolognese in an animal shelter or humane society. Certainly there might be small white dogs who look like Bolognese, but these will probably be Bichon mixes, Maltese mixes, or Poodle mixes, with no Bolognese genes at all.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
If you don't mind going onto a waiting list, you might be able to buy a Bolognese from a show breeder, who breeds Bolognese to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You might also be able to buy a Bolognese from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Bolognese puppy should have:

  • a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
  • a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal knees

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Bolognese ends up with cataracts and bad knee joints.

Puppy in a pet shop window Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
I have never seen a Bolognese in a pet shop. Which is good, because I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Symbols for male and female Choosing the Right Bolognese Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Bolognese puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

Michele Welton with BuffyAbout the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.

My best-selling books – now available  FREE  on my website


book coverRespect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
book coverTeach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.
book cover11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.