Bolognese Grooming

The Bolognese breed is well-known for its single-layered, wavy to curly, dazzling white coat. And as you can imagine, it's a coat that requires quite a bit of upkeep. See below for details on maintaining the Bolognese coat, including info on brushing, bathing, tear stain maintenance, and optional haircuts.

This breed's single-layered, wavy to curly white coat is similar to that of a Poodle's--and as such, Bolognese dog grooming is a pretty frequent chore. These dogs shed very little--but instead of the shed hairs of the undercoat falling out, they get trapped beneath the outer coat. Bolognese coats also mat or tangle very easily. For both these reasons, these dogs will need frequent brushing to remove dead hair and to minimize tangling. They'll also need bathing at least once a month, and since they develop tear stains often, they'll need frequent cleaning of their eye areas. Haircuts aren't required, but some owners trim the coats to make them more manageable.

Brush your Bolognese 3-4 times per week, if not daily. You'll need both a pin brush and a 2-in-1 comb; brush the coat section by section with the brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try working it out with your fingers, then continue working through it with the comb. If you're following the brushing with a bath (and all dogs need brushing prior to bathing), Bolognese are typically small enough to bathe in the kitchen sink. Be sure to use canine shampoo (and conditioner, if desired), as the human kind can irritate a dog's skin. (And for a Bolognese, a whitening shampoo is even better.) Lather well, rinse thoroughly, towel- or blow-dry, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look neat and clean.

Like most white breeds, Bolognese easily develop tear stains, which are naturally occurring (and painless) red or brown stains beneath the dog's eyes due to excessive tear production. Though total prevention of tear stains is virtually impossible, you can minimize their occurrence by cleaning your Bolognese's face with a damp cloth each day. If tear stains do develop, clean the area with a gentle, vet-approved cleanser, or use a commercial tear stain remover available at most pet stores.

Leaving the Bolognese coat at its full length is most owners' preference, but some have them trimmed into a Puppy Cut (whereby the entire coat is shave to 1½-2 inches to make it more tangle-free). Regardless of your chosen style, it's recommended that you visit a professional groomer at least once; the groomer can demonstrate the proper styling technique and provide additional grooming tips.

These dogs' fluffy white coats make a variety of Bolognese dog hairstyles possible. Depending on the cut, your Bolognese will need a touch-up trim every couple of months.

Three popular Bolognese grooming styles:

• Puppy Cut: A short, low-maintenance style. The entire coat is clipped to about two inches; some people like to leave the hair on the legs, face, and head a bit longer. Can be done at home with some practice.
• Show Cut: Leaves most of the coat's length, but requires some precision. The coat is scissor-trimmed by only a half-inch or so, and often thinned out with thinning shears; the hair on the face and head is rounded and even, and may include a top-knot. Needs a groomer's expertise.
• Teddy Bear Cut: Similar to a Puppy Cut, but the hair on the legs, face, and head is left longer and carefully sculpted and rounded to make the dog resemble an adorable little plush toy. Probably best done by a groomer.