Bolonka: breed description, care, and photos of dogs

It's hard to find anyone today who hasn't heard of lap dogs. These small animals are typically associated with leisure and elegance. It's no coincidence that their images can be found in many paintings, and they often feature in works of art, where artists express their love for this breed in similar ways.

The real reason for such indifference to lapdogs is their affectionate and cheerful disposition, a pleasant face with large eyes, and a beautiful snow-white coat. Another advantage of owning a Maltese is their undemanding nature. Therefore, even owners of small apartments can keep them in their homes. Maltese are also easy to walk, as owners don't have to cover miles; an hour-long walk around the block is sufficient.

In its appearance Maltese lapdogs attract attention long and heavy snow-white furIt matches their appearance perfectly, making it a wonderful companion.

Maltese breed standard - Maltese lapdog

Within this breed, it is customary to distinguish several main trends: International, American, and English. According to the international standard, Bolognese dogs have the following characteristics:

1. The characteristic features of this companion pet include a small body size, elegant movements, and a thick white coat.
2. The dog demonstrates affection in all its actions. By bringing this breed into the home, a person gains a very loyal pet.
3. The cheekbones are the same width as the skull. The stop from the forehead, which is at a right angle, is quite clearly visible. The nose is a distinctive black color, forming an extension of the nose. The lips are also black and unobtrusive. The Bolognese has well-developed jaws, which, despite their small size, fit tightly together.
4. Dogs of this breed have lively, alert eyes, slightly convex in shape, and black in color. Their triangular ears complete this look.
5. The coat has a glossy finish, is fairly thick, shiny, and long. It remains straight throughout, eliminating any waves or curls. The traditional color is white, but in recent years, ivory-hued specimens have appeared.
6. These dogs weigh an average of 4 kg and stand no more than 25 cm tall at the withers. Dwarf representatives of this breed can reach 2 kg in adulthood, standing 18 cm or shorter.

Characteristics of the Maltese

Dogs of this breed are - an ideal option for entertainmentThey have a cheerful nature, are constantly active, and easily forget insults. At a certain stage in their lives, they become hyperactive, so they may run around the apartment in circles for long periods of time.

Maltese are ideal for owners even those unfamiliar with their characteristics. With their sweet appearance, gentle nature, and compact size, these animals won't cause you any major problems. However, keep in mind that even with their compact size, they are quite proud and dignified. Maltese will not tolerate harm and will attack at the first sign of danger, regardless of size. This characteristic explains why they are often called "big dogs in a small body."

Leading a fairly active life, these dogs are distinguished by their developed intelligenceTeaching your pet tricks and commands won't be difficult, as they easily understand what's required of them and will happily follow your orders. However, be very careful when training your lapdog: if they fail to follow a command, don't use force, as this could cause your pet to become offended.

Dogs of this breed are accustomed to being in constant company. Therefore, it is not recommended to leave them alone. Otherwise, they will become bored and restless. These dogs are specifically designed for human interaction, so they require constant affection and care; otherwise, their personality changes, becoming rather sad and wary.

Another advantage of adult Maltese is their small size. This allows them to comfortably live even in very small apartments. Miniature Maltese dogs are especially miniature compared to the traditional breed, and they are sure to inspire admiration. Adult Maltese are little different from puppies, and this is evident not only in their size but also in their behavior.

Care and maintenance

These animals won't cause you any major difficulties, so caring for your little pet will be easy. You should pay special attention to their long, luxurious coat. It needs to be keep clean and comb regularly.

• To spend less time grooming your dog, you can simply give him a nice haircut. You can entrust this job to a groomer, and you'll surely be pleased with the results. However, if you're raising a Bolognese for show purposes, avoid clipping him.
• According to the breed's requirements, this breed must have long hair that reaches the floor. Given this, these dogs will require daily grooming, brushing, and washing at least once a week.
• Your lapdog's coat will look well-groomed if you use a special conditioner for dogs.

You can decorate your Maltese by parting the coat, letting it hang loosely down the sides. If this option isn't to your liking, you can gather long bangs, decorating it with a bow on the head. This is even better, as the fur won't obscure the eyes and will allow the dog to see everything in front of it. Regular grooming of the fur between the toes is necessary, trimming it every two weeks. These areas are constantly in motion, so they are the first to tangle, forming unsightly mats.

To keep your pet healthy, you will need to vaccinate and deworm your pet regularly.

In general, Maltese dogs are relatively low-maintenance. To keep them active, regular playtime is essential, which you can arrange indoors. Additionally, take them on short walks. However, over-protective care of these dogs can seriously damage their character, causing them to become nervous, moody, and unstable.

Feeding and nutrition

The selection of food requires special attention, because it determines how often your pet will get sick and how long it will live with you. Therefore it is necessary to formulate a proper diet for himThis is quite simple to do, as you can use any of the existing feeding systems and special diets created specifically for Maltese dogs. If you decide to base your Maltese's diet on dry food and canned food, it's best to choose premium foods. They contain the optimal combination of nutrients and vitamins.

However, never feed your dog food from your owner's table. To understand what you can feed your Maltese, you The following must be taken into account:

• First and foremost, you need to provide your dog with animal protein, so boiled beef or chicken should be a regular part of the diet. You can also feed turkey and rabbit, occasionally adding a small amount of fish.
• For variety and to provide your dog with essential nutrients, you should also feed it fermented milk products. The benefits will be noticeable, as they will improve digestion. Recommended products include fermented baked milk, kefir, and low-fat cottage cheese.
• A lapdog's diet should also include porridge, but only the healthiest ones, and buckwheat and rice are such for it.
• Occasionally, you can give your pet finely chopped fruits.

In general, lap dogs are quite receptive to any food, but if you're introducing them to a new food for the first time, they may be wary. Generally, they happily consume the foods that form the basis of their diet.

Sometimes they won't even touch new foods. But this doesn't mean your dog should always eat the same foods. It is possible to combine different optionsso that your pet does not lose his appetite and always enjoys eating.

Conclusion

Bolognese are very sweet and good-natured creatures, so it's no wonder they're so popular among dog owners. These dogs can give larger animals a run for their money. This is primarily due to their easier care. Not only do they not require a lot of space in the apartment, but they also... not particularly demanding when it comes to walksA few laps around the house are enough for them to relieve themselves. Moreover, lap dogs are not just pets; they can be trained as show dogs if desired.

But to achieve this, you'll need to meticulously care for them. While regular grooming of a Bolognese typically requires regular clipping, this isn't necessary and even prohibited for show dogs. Regular brushing should become a habit. You'll also likely need to master the art of grooming so that your dog not only always looks impeccable but also avoids problems due to its long coat.