However, bringing a dog into the family is not always a smart thing to do. You need to make sure that both the children and the adult members of the family are ready for a furry friend, otherwise someone is likely to get disappointed over time. You also need to make sure that you are selecting the right breed and you are treating your dog in a way that guarantees your children’s safety.

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The Bolognese breed has a height around 10 to  12 inches (25-30 cm) and a weight around 9 lbs. The coat is white, long, wooly and dense that sheds little; however at least monthly grooming is recommended. These dogs are not prone to health issues; it is a very healthy breed.

This breed loves children – especially older, calmer children – and is very friendly with other dogs and pets in the family. Because of its high intelligence Bolognese dogs are easy to train, but needs consistency and firmness. They do not like to be left alone on each day or for a long period of time, so the best is if someone is always with the dog (otherwise they will start to bark loudly) – therefore it is ideal for big families and for older people.

All in all, the Bolognese breed is ideal for younger and older people as well who would like to have a companion dog or family pet that is very clever and lively.

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Yes, it is. Just imagine the situation from the point of view of your Bolognese. He is part of the family, often treated as “the kid”, and then, suddenly, a new creature arrives and takes all the attention of his beloved family. It is quite similar to what older children feel, when a little brother/sister arrives. One of the differences is just that the dog can’t speak English

Actually, if we are aware of this ‘problem’ in advance, the situation can be handled, but it needs consciousness and to be started in time, long before the baby’s arrival. Let’s see how we can prepare our Bolognese for the new family member.

If your dog’s daily routine has to be changed with the baby’s arrival (it probably will), you should start changing the rules much earlier, giving him plenty of time to get used to the new set up. This way it isn’t going to be so sudden and shocking. If your Bolognese hasn’t really been trained before, it’s high time to start. He should learn at least a few commands, like sit, stay, etc. This way, he’ll be easier to handle.

Many families worry about their dog endangering the health of the child, so the best thing to do is to take your pet to the vet, get him checked and get some advice. Get your Bolognese used to the new smells, sounds in advance (blankets, lotions, toys). It’s also a good idea, that just after your baby was born, send home a blanket that the baby had been in, so your dog can experience the child’s smell in advance. It is very important to know that your  Bolognese will get a lot less attention from the mother, so when taking the baby home for the first time, the mother should greet the dog, so it is better if someone else is carrying the baby.

It is also a good idea not to leave them alone together at the first times, until your Bolognese feels comfortable with the baby, because, for example, it is very possible that the dog won’t tolerate the child’s crying very well in the beginning. You have to teach him that this is a normal sound, and you should motivate him not to bark (with treats, for example).

And the most important rule for last, maybe it seems too obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning: try to give as much attention to your Bolognese as you can. The point is that he has to feel that you do care about him. If you keep this in mind, most probably there will be no problem. You could also try Preparing Fido, which is an amazing collection of Baby sounds designed especially to get your dog ready for the arrival of the new Baby!

Red flags for shady breeders:

• Poor kennel environment
• No spaying or neutering procedure advised or done
• No verifiable certificates of said champion lineage
• Grab and go: pay and take puppy with no proper introduction or orientation on proper Bolognese care

Go signals for reliable breeder:

• True to the breed’s temperament of being calm and good tempered as well as intelligent
• Offers thorough discussion of the breed with the owners and takes time to answer questions
• Gives directions or assists in the dog’s registration
• Certificates to show the dog is of sound health

With tons and tons of information out there, you may get disoriented with the different opinions and some unfounded claims of various breeders. But you don’t have to fear with Euro Puppy. Serving families in over 80 countries, this group is composed of many dog experts, enthusiasts and lovers that have pooled their vast knowledge on knowing what quality dogs are and able to give quality and educated information for making the right choice. That, with a lifetime guarantee and being part of a canine global community, you can’t go wrong with Euro Puppy. When getting a companion that will be part of your family, don’t settle for less. Contact Euro Puppy now!