Grooming a Bolognese Dog

The Bolognese dog breed dates back to the 12th century and shares a lineage with several other breeds, including the Maltese. Bolognese dogs are small dogs with fluffy white coats, which should only be trimmed if the tips of the hairs are overly frayed. Bolognese show dogs cannot have their hair trimmed.

  1. Combing

    • Comb your Bolognese regularly in order for it to maintain a healthy coat and to naturally remove any dead layers of hair. A wide-tooth comb in combination with a stainless steel, double-ended comb will help you carefully untangle your Bolognese's hair, while removing unwanted hair from its coat. Combing your dog's coat for 15 to 20 minutes daily will help minimize shedding and tangles.

    Bathing

    • While bathing strategies for Bologneses vary, as a general rule do not excessively bathe your dog. Excessive bathing will result in dry skin and a damaged coat. Oftentimes, when your Bolognese gets dirty, simply brushing and toweling off your dog after the dirt dries will adequately clean it. If you do choose to bathe your dog, bathing it no more than once a month is recommended. Applying dog shampoo followed by a conditioner to your dog will help preserve the coat's shine. Do not to wash in or around your dog's ears.

    Trimming

    • If you do not have time to regularly brush your Bolognese's coat, it will quickly become matted and frayed. While trimming is not ideal for show dogs, it is possible to regularly trim your Bolognese's coat, keeping it short and helping prevent it from getting matted. Using shears and trimmers will help you shorten as well as thin out the coat, decreasing the density while maintaining its natural luster. Metal combs will also naturally thin out and remove hair from your Bolognese.

    Tweezers

    • Tweezers are a grooming tool for a Bolognese. On a regular basis, hair will grow in and around your Bolognese's ears. Use a pair of tweezers to pluck any unwanted hair from the base of the hair. While tweezing is initially frightening to your Bolognese, starting it at a young age with your dog will help the dog get acclimated to the sensation. Reward your dog after several plucks with a treat to reinforce the action.