French Brittany vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison

French Brittany vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed ComparisonBichon Bolognese is originated from Spain but French Brittany is originated from France. Bichon Bolognese may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than French Brittany. Bichon Bolognese may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than French Brittany. Both Bichon Bolognese and French Brittany has almost same life span. Bichon Bolognese may have less litter size than French Brittany. Both Bichon Bolognese and French Brittany requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Gun dog
undefined
Spain
France
Height Male:
3 - 4 cm
1 - 2 inches
17 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
Height Female:
2 - 3 cm
0 - 2 inches
15 - 19 cm
5 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 30 kg
59 - 67 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 28 kg
55 - 62 pounds
13 - 17 kg
28 - 38 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
5 - 8
Size:
Toy
Medium
Other Names:
the Bolognese Toy Dog, the Bolognese, Bolo, the Botoli, the Bottolo
Brittany Spaniel Brittany Wiegref Epagneul Breton French Brittany Spaniel
Colors Available:
white
liver roan, black and white (not universally accepted), orange roan, Orange and white, black roan, liver and white, tricolor
Coat:
the Bolognese Toy Dog, the Bolognese, Bolo, the Botoli, the Bottolo
flowing , medium length
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Playful, Social
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

french brittanyBrittanys are the product of France, actually developed in the Brittany Province. They are gun dogs designed to hunt birds. Referred to more often than not as a Spaniel their method of working is much more in line with the setters and pointers. They are believed to be developed somewhere between the 17th and 19th centuries, but not recognized until the 20th century. Orange and white dogs were portrayed on 17th century tapestries, hunting and retrieving. In 1850 the Reverend Davies wrote the first record of Brittanys that was verifiable.

The Brittany was recognized for the first time in 1907 as their own breed even though they participated in the Paris Dog Show in 1900. Once recognized the standards were written as well. It was not until 1931 that the breed was recognized in America and 1934 before the American Kennel Club approved them. Until 1982 they were known as the French Brittany Spaniel. The Spaniel was dropped in ’82. In the United Kingdom the Brittany is known as an HPR (Hunt, Point and Retrieve) breed and they do so with both birds and small game such as hares. The Brittany’s have more dual champions than any other American Kennel Club Sporting Breed in both Confirmation and Field Trials.

There are some differences between the current day French Brittany and the “American Brittany”. They are the same breed but different sub-sets and there are differences that can be noted between the two. The French Brittany is smaller than the newer American version and works closer to the hunter and the guns, while the American Brittany runs ahead of the hunter quite often. Some breeders however don’t consider these differences to be sub-sets and believe that the American breeders should accept the French standards reflecting the origin of the breed.

Description

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.

french brittany puppy - descriptionThe French Brittany is an energetic, compact, solid, athletic dog. They have average size heads, intelligent expressions, floppy ears, and a long, elastic and free gait. Most Brittanys are born with short tails but if not, they are docked outside the United Kingdom. Docking is illegal in the United Kingdom so those Brittanys might have a long tail.

Their coats are orange roan, orange and white and liver roan. A tricoat of orange, liver and white is allowed within a specific placement of the three colors.

Characteristics

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.

1.Children

french brittany dog - characteristicsVery friendly with children

Special talents

Dual champions in Field Trials and Confirmation. They both point and retrieve.

Adaptability

They are not as adaptable as some hunting breeds. They are very active and need space both indoors and out. They are not recommended for life in apartments in the city. A rural environment is best. They do not adapt well to the damp and cold weather.

Learning ability

They are very intelligent and have very high learning ability.

Health Problems

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.

french brittany puppies - health problemsGenerally, a hardy breed that is mostly healthy, the Brittany in France usually lives on average 12 years 6 months. In the UK the average if 12 years and 11 months and many dogs living to be 14 or 15. Some of the health issues that might pop up for the Brittany include:

  1. Ear Infections
  2. Hip Dysplasia
  3. Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
  4. Epilepsy

Caring The Pet

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.

Feeding the puppy

french brittany dogs - caringFeed puppies a high quality puppy food designed for medium sized dogs. Give about one to one and a half cups per day in 2-3 meals.

Feeding the adult

For the adult French Brittany feed a high quality adult dry food designed for medium sized dogs. Give about two cups per day in 2 meals.

Points for Good Health

Excellent vision and scent

Games and Exercises

The French Brittany is an active and enthusiastic bird dog that loves to exercise. They have the stamina and drive that goes with an efficient and successful hunting dog. They need daily exercise, regular walks and excel at field trials and confirmation. They are also good at lure chase, flyball, rally and obedience.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Brittany vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. French Brittany vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. French Brittany vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. French Brittany vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. French Brittany vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. French Brittany vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. French Brittany vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. French Brittany vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. French Brittany vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. French Brittany vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. French Brittany vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. French Brittany vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. French Brittany vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. French Brittany vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. French Brittany vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. French Brittany vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. French Brittany vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. French Brittany vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. French Brittany vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. French Brittany vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. French Brittany vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. French Brittany vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. French Brittany vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. French Brittany vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. French Brittany 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