How Much Does Bolognese Dog Cost?

Also called the Bichon Bolognese or Bolo, the Bolognese is a cute little ball of fur with origins in Bologna, Italy. He looks like a fairytale canine of sorts, thanks to his dense coat of white wavy fur. His personality also precedes him. Curious and comical, the Bolo loves spending time with his owners. From taking you for your evening walks to accompanying you when you are running errands and just following you around the house, you will adore every minute spent with your dog.

If you are looking to buy a Bolognese, you couldn’t have made a better decision for your family. To help you, we have a detailed guide on the Bolognese dog price.

The Bolognese at a Glance

This is a tiny Italian dog with a super-dense white coat of long wavy hair. He has the look of a charming cotton ball. Most of his facial features are covered in fur. Only the nose and the tongue are very visible. He’s a true beauty to behold. At only 9 pounds, this is your typical lap dog. And yes, the Bolo love lying across his owners’ laps!

People are drawn to this breed because of their playful and friendly character. He spends his days trying to please you. He will play with your kids, go hiking with, and fit right into your family’s setting. The only downside to owning a Bolognese is that he can be very stubborn, bossy, and naughty. He requires plenty of obedience and positive reinforcement training to tame the behavior.

How Much Does A Bolognese Puppy Cost?

Despite being cute, cuddly, and friendly, the Bolognese is not a very common breed in the United States. Getting a puppy, let alone buying one, can be quite difficult. Sometimes, you have to wait for a long time before making a purchase. Also, the low supply versus a high demand pushes the Bolognese dog price up. On average, expect to pay anything from $1000 -$2000 for one Bolo puppy. The actual figure depends on the age of the puppy, the breeder, heritage, pedigree, socialization level, and medical records.

This price is mostly for a non-registered Bolognese. If you choose to go for a registered puppy, expect to cough $1900 – $5000. Here, you will get a pedigree dog with breeding rights and performing ability. While it is very tempting to want to spend as little as possible on your Bolo puppy, refrain from that temptation. Sure, there are a ton of people who breed pets for fun or to get quick money. However, these don’t breed their dogs right. They don’t have their canines tested and vaccinated.

Ideally, you want to buy your Bolo from a reputable breeder who has certificates from both the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) and the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA).  The first shows that both mum and baby don’t have eye diseases while the second certifies that they have normal knees. If the breeder doesn’t have these certificates, take a walk. The risk is too much to bear. Not only is having a sick dog overbearing but it will also drain thousands of bucks in meds and surgeries.

The breeder should also include up-to-date vaccination records, medical paperwork (if any), a certified vet health checkup, and a DNA test of the puppy. Some may include spaying and neutering services and a microchip (well, these are optional but very important). The Bolo is prone to OFA and if possible, choose a breeder that can give an OFA certification.

Additional Costs

Buying a Bichon Bolognese puppy is only the first step. You need more cash to take care of her among other things including pet insurance, vaccinations, pet supplies, food, preventive medicine, toys, and veterinary care.  On average, you will spend $650 annually to raise your Bolo.  If you are shipping the dog, transportation can go up to $400 via the air. Obviously, this depends on the distance by which the dog will have to be shipped.

As mentioned before, obedience training is an integral part of owning a Bolognese. This breed can be headstrong and disobedient. Should you choose to enroll the puppy in obedience classes, expect to shelve off a pretty penny as well. Lastly, the Bolognese needs a lot of grooming. His white wavy coat of long fur tends to attract matting, dirt, debris, and more. You might want to pay a professional groomer to take care of your dog’s coat. This means more money. In short, budget for all these things to avoid surprises.

Is The Bolognese Right For You?

Buying a Bolognese is one thing. Taking care of her is entirely another. Before you shelve your coins, you might want to find out if this breed is actually right for you or not. Basically, the Bolognese is a social, friendly, affectionate, and beautiful dog. He is not aggressive, which means he can peacefully coexist with other dogs at home. Kids love them as well.

As for needs, the Bolos require only a 10-minute walk per day, good balanced diet, and frequent grooming. On the negative side of things, Bolos are loud barkers, high-maintenance, and are bossy. They also don’t like being left alone for too long. Take your pick!

Parting Thoughts

There it is – a detailed guide of the Bolognese dog price as well as other nuggets of wisdom on owning the breed. If you forget everything else, remember to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. You are better off going over your budget now and having a healthy dog than the opposite.