Bichon Bolognese vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison

Bichon Bolognese vs Blue Healer - Breed ComparisonBlue Healer is originated from Australia but Bichon Bolognese is originated from Spain. Blue Healer may grow 47 cm / 19 inches higher than Bichon Bolognese. Blue Healer may weigh 8 kg / 17 pounds lesser than Bichon Bolognese. Both Blue Healer and Bichon Bolognese has same life span. Both Blue Healer and Bichon Bolognese has almost same litter size. Both Blue Healer and Bichon Bolognese requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Toy dog
undefined
Australia
Spain
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
3 - 4 cm
1 - 2 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
2 - 3 cm
0 - 2 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 22 kg
33 - 49 pounds
27 - 30 kg
59 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
25 - 28 kg
55 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 7
3 - 5
Size:
Medium
Toy
Other Names:
ACD, Cattle Dog, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler
the Bolognese Toy Dog, the Bolognese, Bolo, the Botoli, the Bottolo
Colors Available:
Blue mottled, Red mottled
white
Coat:
short and dense
the Bolognese Toy Dog, the Bolognese, Bolo, the Botoli, the Bottolo
Shedding:
Minimal, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Cheerful, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Playful, Social
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

blue healerIt was in 1802 that George Hall arrived in New South Wales, establishing 2 cattle stations. He had a problem – getting his thousands of cattle to the Sydney markets. He began looking at the prospect of a droving dog and imported a number of dogs of which a blue mottled dog emerged.

The dogs were crossed with dingoes and by 1840 the Halls Heelers were used by the Halls. However with the death of one of the Halls, their cattle stations went to action and the dogs, the Halls Heelers became available.

The dogs attracted attention, and the term ‘Australian Cattle Dog’ was adopted. The name referred to those dogs coming from Thomas Hall's ‘Heelers’. There have been many arguments about the origin of the breed, but the red or blue offspring known as Hall's Heelers were proven cattle drovers, and with further breeding experiments which included the Australian Kelpie, dingoes and the Dalmation, by 1893, the tough, robust working breed known as the Blue Heeler or the Australian Cattle Dog came about.

bichon bologneseThe Bichon Bolognese is one of 4 types of Bichon breeds the others being the Havense, the Bichon Frise and the Maltese. The Lowchen and the Coton de Tulear are also listed in this grouping at times. The Bolognese was developed in Italy and is a small, companion animal. They are named after the city of Bologna in Northern Italy. The Bichon Bolognese is considered a toy dog and are considered an ancient breed that lived with Italian nobility. Their precise ancestry is not known and the Maltese is considered its closest relative. They have been known to exist since at least 1200.

The Bichon Bolognese is found in many works of art throughout the centuries. They were the favorite of many an Italian artist since the 17th century including Titian, Watteau, Gosse and Goya. They were known to be owned by Duke Frederico Gonzaga, Madame De Pompadour, Catherine the Great of Russia and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Cosimo de Medici gave eight Bolognese to Belgian noblemen. The Duke d’Este was given two as a gift.

Of all the Bichon group – the Bolognese is the hardest to find and the best problem solver. They read body language amazingly well, stick with their owners and are attentive and devoted. Liz Stannard brought them to England in 1990 and they were entered in the breed registry that same year and joined the show ring cycle in 2001. By 2002 they were shown at Crufts, England’s International Dog Show.

Description

blue healer puppy - descriptionBlue Heelers are medium-sized, sturdy, compact dogs who are somewhat longer than tall. The female Blue Heeler measures roughly 43–48cm at the withers, while the male measures about 46–51cm. If your Blue Heeler is in tip top condition, he’ll weigh about 15 to 22 kilograms. They are muscular with pointed, erect ears, dark eyes and long tails which are mostly hanging downwards. Their dense coats are blue- or red speckled and sometimes with tan markings.

The Blue Heeler is a ball of energy and he is clever too. You won’t find him sitting around for too long, and if there is sign of a walk or a ball game, he’s in! He is an independent dog, and although he makes a wonderful family pet, he tends to attach himself to that one special person in his life. He is a natural watchdog and protector of his human family.

bichon bolognese puppy - descriptionLike the other members of the Bichon group, the Bolognese is a compact, little white dog. It is considered a member of the toy group and is stocky in its build. It is a muscled, square dog of medium length with an ovoid skull and large, square, black muzzle. The jaw is well developed, and they have black lips, black nose and black eyelids. They have a straight muzzle with a strong, aligned bite and its eyes are round and wide. They have long, high set ears that hang down to a rigid base. The coat is white, long and shorter only at the muzzle. The coat is fluffy but not fringed.

Characteristics

blue healer dog - characteristicsTraining and socializing of your Blue Heeler will ensure that your dog does what you want him to. The Blue Heeler is an intelligent, responsive dog and training can benefit him, turning him into an outstanding family pet, good with children and other pets in the home.

He is a playful, affectionate pet who doesn’t take easily to strangers, and this is what makes him such an excellent guard dog.

Your Blue Heeler is not an apartment dog as he requires a lot of exercise, and cooping him indoors for too long with nothing to do can lead to destructive behavior.

Head-strong, independent and robust, your Blue Heeler will need a firm owner who is boss. Add to the firm owner a lot of love and care, and you’ll have a devoted friend.

bichon bolognese dog - characteristicsThese little white dogs with the shaggy hair are intelligent, loving, playful, loyal, and happy to do whatever you ask them to. They are more reserved than their relative the Bichon Frise. They are great at obedience training and seem to love it. They learn quickly and love to please you, yet they can also be very stubborn. Like the Bichon Frise, they are difficult to housebreak. They need to be with their people who they will develop bad habits and a bad attitude. They are bred to be companion dogs. If socialized when young they are great with strangers after you have indicated that the strangers are ok. They are barking watchdogs but not continuous barkers. They get along with other dogs but are ok by themselves as well. They do get separation anxiety when their people are gone for extended periods of time. They can be very serious and docile, but they love to be with people. They are very loyal and very bonded to their family.

Be sure you are the pack leader as they can acquire Small Dog Syndrome. With this syndrome the dog comes to believe he is the alpha and the humans are his pack. This causes many kinds of problems with behavior including howling when not getting attention, their separation anxiety and destructiveness can also come from this.

Health Problems

blue healer puppies - health problemsAustralian cattle dogs are healthy and can live up to 15 years of age, but even so there are some genetic conditions that you will need to be aware of following

Eye issues which includes progressive retinal atrophy – this disease is an inherited disease of the retina of the eye where the rod cells are destined to die. Fortunately it is not painful for the dog. There are different types of inherited retinal degenerative diseases in dogs but going into detail with them is beyond the scope of this article. For more information you can chat to your vet.

Recessive piebald elleles - the Blue Heeler has recessive piebald alleles which can produce white in the skin and coat and which is linked to congenital hereditary deafness.

bichon bolognese puppies - health problemsLike others in the Bichon group, they have moving kneecaps (luxating patella’s). They also have some eye conditions. They should be tested for any genetic issues, although the breed is a very healthy one and they do not usually have major health issues.

Caring The Pet

Provide Plenty of Exercise

blue healer dogs - caringRemember that your Blue Heeler was once a full time cattle dog where he used to become totally and utterly exhausted from herding cattle. This is what he loved – the activity. If you have a Blue Heeler, you will need to provide him with plenty of exercise.

If you live on a farm, your Blue Heeler will be in his element because he can run, walk and swim to his heart’s content. If you keep your Blue Heeler in your back garden, you will need to provide him with ball games, rope games, long walks, running on a leash as you cycle and other activities.

Grooming

Your Blue Heeler has a short, weather-resistant double coat. He’s not a heavy shedder, but he will have his share of seasonal shedding, so it’s a good idea to get into the habit of brushing him at least twice a week. This will get rid of all those loose hairs and keep his skin healthy by getting the blood flowing and distributing his natural oils.

Feeding

Giving the best dog food for your Blue Heeler will come from either your home made food or a top quality commercially manufactured dog food. He is such a high energy dog, that your veterinarian can advise you on a dog food specially designed for high energy breeds.

These foods are well balanced and are enriched with amino acids and vitamins, promoting healthy bones and joints. Remember to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet and to ensure a constant source of cool, fresh water.

General care

Ensure your Blue Heeler’s ongoing health by paying attention to ears, nails and teeth.

Feeding

bichon bolognese dogs - caringLike other toy breeds do not overfeed the Bolognese. Feed them ¼ of a cup of high quality dry food once a day. Treats are often used for training just be judicious with them.

Health issues

They are very healthy with a propensity toward: Moving kneecaps (Luxating patella)

Hip Dysplasia

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease – This causes the thigh bones to shrink due to a loss of blood supply. It can be repaired surgically.

Periodontal Disease due to their small mouth size.

Exercise and games

They need to walk everyday but they can be couch potatoes. One long 20-minute walk will do or a couple 10-minute walks.

While Bolognese are perfectly happy to lounge around the house, they should also have a daily walk.[7] A suitable walk would be around 20–25 minute a couple of times a day or substitute 10-minute walks a few times a day. They love to play off-lead, whether its in the house or in a fenced in yard or dog park.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Blue Healer vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Blue Healer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Blue Healer vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Blue Healer vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Blue Healer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Blue Healer vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Blue Healer vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Blue Healer vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Blue Healer vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Blue Healer vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Blue Healer vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Blue Healer vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Blue Healer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Healer vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Blue Healer vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Blue Healer vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Blue Healer vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Blue Healer vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Blue Healer vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Healer vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Blue Healer vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Blue Healer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Blue Healer vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Blue Healer vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Blue Healer vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Bichon Bolognese vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Bichon Bolognese vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Bichon Bolognese vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Bichon Bolognese vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Bichon Bolognese vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bichon Bolognese vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Bichon Bolognese vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Bichon Bolognese vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bichon Bolognese vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Bichon Bolognese vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Bichon Bolognese vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Bichon Bolognese vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Bichon Bolognese vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Bichon Bolognese vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Bichon Bolognese vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Bichon Bolognese vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Bichon Bolognese vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Bichon Bolognese vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Bichon Bolognese vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Bichon Bolognese vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bichon Bolognese vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Bichon Bolognese vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Bichon Bolognese vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Bichon Bolognese vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Bichon Bolognese vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison