Bolognese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Bolognese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed ComparisonBelgian Griffon is originated from Belgium but Bolognese is originated from Italy. Belgian Griffon may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Bolognese. Both Belgian Griffon and Bolognese are having almost same weight. Both Belgian Griffon and Bolognese has almost same life span. Belgian Griffon may have less litter size than Bolognese. Both Belgian Griffon and Bolognese requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Toy dog
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Belgium
Italy
Height Male:
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
27 - 30 cm
10 - 12 inches
Height Female:
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
2 - 4 kg
4 - 9 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
3 - 7
Size:
Small
Small
Other Names:
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Bichon Bolognese, Bolognese Toy Dog, Bologneser, Bolo
Colors Available:
red, tan or black
White
Coat:
2 types - soft or wiry
Long, curly, wavy or straight, fluffy hair
Shedding:
Minimal, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

belgian griffonThe Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

bologneseThe Bolognese has already been on record since the 13th century, being particularly popular among the aristocracy during the Renaissance. The breed hails from Italy. He belongs to a family of dogs that include the Maltese and Bichon Frise, all with similar temperaments and looks. Even though there are these similarities the Bolognese is a breed on its own – a distinctive breed.

The exact ancestry of the Bolognese isn’t altogether clear. The dog breed was brought to England in 1990 by Liz Stannard and it was in 2001 that the breed was shown at dog shows. He is classified as a toy companion breed.

Description

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

bolognese puppy - descriptionThe long, flocked white coat doesn’t have an undercoat and the large, round, dark eyes peer out of a cloud of white hair. His hair sheds very little and some owners of the Bolognese like to keep the woolly hair texture trimmed. He has black nails and a largish black nose. He is a small dog, with the male standing between 27–30cm and the female being slightly smaller.

These little dogs weigh in at about 4kg. A toy breed, he is considered to be a true companion dog. He is compact and squarely built with his floppy ears set high on his head. The long tail is carried curved over the dog’s back.

He is a friendly, social dog and can very easily become a typical lap-dog because he just craves human companionship. He wants to be with you and close to your side, whether you live in the city or in the countryside – he adapts to life wherever you are.

Characteristics

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

bolognese dog - characteristicsThe Bolognese is an easy-going, playful, intelligent little dog who will respond well to training and socialization. He can actually become calm and docile dog, although never dull as he can sometimes act like a clown and be quite entertaining. He makes a wonderful pet and becomes a loyal and devoted companion to adults and children.

Non-aggressive by nature, he will be friends with other pets in the home too. He is a small dog, so he isn’t going to be highly active and therefore won’t need loads of exercise, although he will love to go for a walk with you. He’ll also want to have games with the ball. He is such an amicable little dog and will easily adapt to life in the city or country, so long as he can be loved and cherished by his owners.

Health Problems

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

bolognese puppies - health problemsBecause this particular dog breed is uncommon, you won’t find many details on his health problems. When he is well looked after, he can reach 14 years of age. The Bolognese is from the Bichon Frise family so you can expect similar health problems, and also because he is a pedigree dog.

Skin problems – battling with itchy skin conditions are a typical problem with the Bolognese.

Ear infections are common because of a lot of hair in the ear which can collect dirt.

Eye diseases - cataracts which can eventually lead to blindness.

Other health problems to watch for are heart disease, and epilepsy. Periodontitis is something you want to keep an eye on too because the small jaw is prone to developing periodontal infection which can lead to tooth loss.

Remember if you don’t want your Bolognese to be a parent, neutering and spaying provides major health benefits for your dogs.

Caring The Pet

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

His Coat

bolognese dogs - caringThe little Bolognese isn’t a big shedder so he isn’t a high maintenance pet. His long cloud of white hair can’t just be left though, because it will become tangled and dirty. Get the right grooming tools because his hair will require a good brushing every 2nd day or so. Professional grooming will also be required to keep his coat in tip-top condition.

Feeding your Bolognese

You may want to use commercially manufactured dog food from leading brands recommended by your vet for small breed dogs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but just like you want some variety in your diet, so does your pet.

Rice, meat and vegetables can be added into his food now and then as well as ensuring he has some raw meat in his diet. This is important if you want to ensure the health of your dog. Never leave your pet without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Clean your pet’s ears

You can actually buy pet ear cleaners but you have to very careful not to go too deep into your pet’s ears as this can cause damage.

Teeth

Brush your dog’s teeth a couple of times a week. Never use human toothpaste. You can buy special dog’s toothpaste and toothbrush.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Belgian Griffon vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  29. Belgian Griffon vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Belgian Griffon vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Belgian Griffon vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Belgian Griffon vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Belgian Griffon vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Belgian Griffon vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Belgian Griffon vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Griffon vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Belgian Griffon vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Belgian Griffon vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Griffon vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Belgian Griffon vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Griffon vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Griffon vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Griffon vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Griffon vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Belgian Griffon vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Belgian Griffon vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Belgian Griffon vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Griffon vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Belgian Griffon vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Belgian Griffon vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison