One of the lesser-known Doodles is the Bolonoodle. These dogs are rising to the top of Doodle radar, and for a good reason. They are the perfect small dog for many people. But, do you think you are ready for the responsibility? Today we will talk about all the pros and cons of owning a Bolonoodle. If you can get through this list, you are a perfect match!
Origins
The Bolonoodle is a hybrid, which means that they are not a pure breed. They are half Bolognese and Half Poodle. Now the Bolognese is the perfect companion dogs from Italy. They have undergone meticulous breeding to make them the ideal pet for any family.
The Poodle originated on the French and German border. They are excellent duck hunting dogs and highly intelligent. Their loyalty is what made people realize that they would make great house pets too. So, after careful breeding, the toy and mini-sized Poodles came about. These smaller Poodles are what we use to mix with the Bolognese.
The Bolonoodle is a new breed that has only been around since 2005. They are the perfect companion that cares about you and your family.
Pros Of Owning A Bolonoodle
Now that we see where the Bolonoodle comes from, we can understand how they interact in our lives. First, we will look at all the fantastic qualities that make them an excellent dog to have.
Hypoallergenic
One of the best aspects of the Bolonoodle is that they are hypoallergenic. Since both the Bolognese and Poodle don’t shed much, your new Doodle won’t either. Having a low shedding dog is excellent for anyone who has asthma or allergies. These dogs are less likely to trigger a reaction, and you don’t have to worry about cleaning up hair every day.
A word of caution, though. Hypoallergenic dogs can still cause a reaction for people severely allergic to dogs. Since all dogs produce dander and saliva, there are no dogs that are truly hypoallergenic in this sense.
Temperament
Your Bolonoodle has the perfect temperament for a lap dog. They are patient and very relaxed. You will notice that not much bothers this Doodle. They enjoy spending time with their owners and playing games. This Doodle is brilliant, but can sometimes get into a little trouble. If they get bored throughout the day, they might get mischievous. Overall they are a loyal and dedicated companion.
Training
Most people want a dog that is easy to train. And lucky for you, the Bolonoodle is eager to please and loves a challenge. You can use this to your advantage by using a positive reinforcement training method. Doing so will get you a well-behaved dog that learns quickly.
Energy Level
The Bolonoodle is a very laid back dog. They are considered a moderately active dog that does well with short walks and playtime. Puppies generally have more energy, but you may find as your dog gets older, they need more encouragement. Without daily walks and the right amount of playtime, they become obese, and that brings on a whole other bout of problems.
Bolonoodles thrive more off mental stimulation. They love to have something to do at all times. Favorite activities include training, puzzles, chewing, and playing with you. If they do not feel that they are getting enough, they might resort to bad behaviors. These dogs are known for getting into closed areas to make a little trouble. To keep this from happening, you will want to have a wide variety of toys that you rotate every week.
Low Barking
When most people think of small dogs, they think of a little yappy thing. That is not true of the Bolonoodle. They typically only bark when necessary, and can be taught not to bark at certain things. Having a dog that doesn’t bark a lot saves a lot of headaches for you and your neighbors.
Size
The Bolonoodle has such a large personality in such a small body. The Bolonoodle only gets 6-12 pounds when fully grown. This size makes them perfect for apartments, along with their low energy and barking. It can also be useful for homes with smaller children, as they won’t knock children over easily. And smaller dogs are cheaper all around to care for.
Lifespan
Small dogs have longevity like no other. The Bolonoodle has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. And sometimes they live much more. If you pick a puppy in good health and of impeccable breeding, you may get almost 20years with your best friend.
Lower Cost
Doodle puppies can cost thousands of dollars, but that isn’t the case with the Bolonoodle. The average price of a well-bred Bolonoodle is $800-$1,000. This cost can vary on location, but they shouldn’t be too far off. And since Bolonoodles are relatively common, you should be able to find a breeder close to you. That cuts costs more on shipping and visiting your puppy before you bring them home.
Good With Kids
The Bolonoodle is so laid back that they get an A+ when dealing with children. Since they are so slow to anger, it makes them great for children of all ages. Their size makes them perfect for small toddlers, as large breeds knock over children often. And since Bolonoodles don’t bark much, you won’t wake your sleeping baby.
Apartment Friendly
We already mentioned that these Doodles are suitable for apartments. But this is a major plus for people who have a hard time finding the perfect apartment dog. Their size is just small enough that if you live upstairs, your neighbor won’t mind. Their low barking is something all your neighbors will appreciate. And since they don’t have a high energy level, you won’t have to worry about your dog feeling cooped up.
Cons Of Owning A Bolonoodle
So we have already talked about some great qualities. And it’s hard to believe that there is anything terrible about owning these dogs. But there are a few things that you should be aware of before getting a Bolonoodle.
Grooming
The biggest con of owning a Bolonoodle is how much grooming they require. Bolonoodles might have a hypoallergenic coat, but with it comes a lot of maintenance.
You will need to have several grooming supplies on hand like combs, brushes, and dematting tools. Every day you will need to comb through your dog’s hair to detangle any knots. If your dog has any mats left, then you will need to use the dematting rake. After all the knots are out, then you will need to brush your dog to pick up what little shed there is. It’s a good thing you have a small dog now, right?
The reason you will need to do this daily is that the Doodle’s fine long hair gets tangled easily. If the tangles get too severe, they will start to pull at your dog’s skin. Severely matted dogs have an increased risk of yeast, fleas, fungus, and even pain. When you brush them daily, you are making sure that they are staying healthy.
Another part of grooming the Bolonoodle is taking them to the salon. Your dog will need to see a professional groomer every 6-12 weeks for a hair cut. Since they do not shed, their hair will continue to grow, like people’s hair. Small size is another plus for this because most groomers charge by size. Nevertheless, it still can get expensive.
Mental Stimulation
We mentioned before that Bolonoodles need a lot to keep them busy. This can be a con for full-time workers. It can take a lot of trial and error to see what will keep your dog happy while you are away. And it can be expensive trying to keep a proper rotation of toys. At any given point, you want about ten toys for your dog to play freely. Then you will want to have another set of toys that they use when you are gone for hours at a time. These should be brainteasers, interactive toys, or puzzles. And on top of it all, you will want to have enough toys to switch every couple of weeks.
Separation Anxiety
Keeping your dog from getting bored is only half the worry. The Bolonoodle is notorious for getting separation anxiety and do best with owners that spend a lot of time at home. If you work or travel a lot, a Bolonoodle may not be the right fit for you. If someone is home for the majority of the day, they do wonderfully for a few hours a day alone. But for their mental health, it is best not to get one if you work over 40 hours a week.
Health
All dog breeds have certain medical conditions they are prone to getting. Bolondoodles are prone to:
- Obesity
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Retinal Dysplasia
- Mitral Valve disease
- Skin conditions
- Food and environmental allergies
- And diabetes
To prevent these diseases from taking over your dog’s life, it starts with proper breeding, diet and exercise, and vet check-ups.
In Conclusion
Only you can decide if a breed is a right match for you. As long as the dog’s needs are considered, and you do your part to adjust, any Doodle is right for you.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
