MEMBER PROFILE Jessica Manders
My journey into the Bolognese World started, unexpectedly, in the summer of 2003. It was a time of transition for me, settling into apartment life, and the search was on for the perfect companion. The requirements were specific, dictated by my living situation and personal preferences: I needed a dog that was not too active, given the constraints of a smaller space, and definitely not too big—something truly portable and manageable. Beyond the practicalities, I had a clear aesthetic vision: I really wanted a white dog that was pure bred and, crucially, had a temperament that was not too prissy. I wasn’t looking for a high-maintenance show dog initially, but rather a robust and amiable family member. The process of discovery itself speaks to the era.
This was in the period where the internet wasn’t really a thing yet in the ubiquitous way we know it today. The vast resources of online information were still nascent. My research began the old-fashioned way: poring over a large, detailed dog encyclopedia. I systematically worked my way through breeds that matched my criteria, and it was there, between the Bichon Frise and the Coton de Tulear, that I stumbled across the Bolognese. The description—a small, intelligent, playful companion with a flocculent white coat that didn’t shed and was known for its calm yet engaging disposition—was instantly captivating. It seemed to perfectly tick all the boxes.
Finding a Puppy
Having found the breed, the next challenge was locating a breeder. After making a few inquiries through breed associations and old contacts, I did find a breeder who, by sheer chance, just happened to have two litters on the ground. One was a very small litter with just one puppy, and the other was a more typical size with 5. The breeder, known as van de Flevomare, was wonderful. They kept me meticulously updated with weekly pictures and details of the puppies’ development, fostering a connection even before the visit. The anticipation grew, and when they were 6 weeks old we could pick one. I was immediately drawn to the spirited nature of the female “only” puppy. She had a spark and an independent air that I adored, immediately making an impression with her clever eyes and confident stance. Unfortunately, the breeder had similar feelings and wanted to keep her for breeding herself. Disappointed but understanding, I decided on a male puppy then. This male, with his gentle nature, was a wonderful choice, and I was all set to bring him home, ready for a life as a beloved pet. However, fate—and the breeder—intervened. A day before I was going to pick him up, the breeder called and said I could have the female too IF I would take her to a dog show. It was an unexpected condition, a small request that would completely alter the course of my life, turning a simple search for a companion into a lifelong passion. I hesitated for only a moment, then agreed, realizing the opportunity this represented. And so that happened. I took both puppies, my sweet male companion Chico and the feisty female, Zoë.
Starting Showing
Our first step into the competitive world was at a clubmatch, a lower-key show event designed for breed enthusiasts to meet and practice. It was here that the true potential of Zoë became apparent, and where I met Geraldine van Puyvelde from Kennel Tabula Rasa, who was also the stud owner for both puppies, Albertino From Veronesi kennel. Geraldine watched Zoë in the show ring and sought me out afterwards. She was very complimentary, saying Zoë was a very nice Bolognese and that I should consider having a litter with her once. Her endorsement, coming from an established figure in the breed, gave me the confidence to pursue breeding seriously. This casual suggestion was the spark. It shifted my focus from simple pet ownership to the dedication of preservation breeding. This is how Kennel Little White Wonder came into existence! It was a name chosen to reflect the breed’s ethereal appearance and the profound joy they brought into my life.
Breeding
The focus became not just producing puppies, but improving the breed according to the official standard. The excitement of planning the first litter was immense. After all the health checks and careful consideration of a stud dog to complement Zoë’s qualities, our first litter, with 7 puppies, was born in May 2006. It was a life-altering experience—the joy of bringing seven healthy, perfect little white lives into the world, the sleepless nights spent monitoring them, and the meticulous care taken to ensure their early development was optimal. They were raised in a family environment, socialized from day one, and each one was an absolute Little White Wonder. Ever since I have been getting more and more involved in the breed. The initial commitment to show Zoë turned into a passionate hobby, then a dedication to the breed’s future.
Showing Oversees
The show ring became a place of learning and networking. I have attended many dog shows all across Europe—from the grand halls of the World Dog Show in Milan to smaller, specialized breed events in Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. These journeys were not just about titles; they were about meeting other breeders, exchanging knowledge, and continually assessing my dogs against the breed standard in different judging environments. My dedication soon translated into a global reach. We have exported puppies all over the world, confident in the health and temperament we instill in our lines. We take great pride in the fact that The first Bolognese in Australia came from me and a few others followed. This was a landmark achievement, introducing the breed to a new continent and ensuring that the gene pool expanded far beyond Europe. Similarly, one of the first imports into Japan came from me too, a country with a deep appreciation for companion dogs. Next to this we have puppies in Russia, Canada, USA, UK and many countries in Europe, all of whom are owned by committed individuals—many of whom are breeders attending dog shows and/or breeding Bolognese themselves. The greatest satisfaction is seeing the dogs we bred forming the foundation of new, successful kennels globally.
Over the years there were World Champions, European Champions and Crufts Champions. The thrill of seeing a Little White Wonder dog standing on the top podium at a prestigious show like Crufts, the pinnacle of the dog world, is something that never fades. It validates the careful selection and rearing process. And more importantly, those dogs got beautiful puppies that went into breeding too, so the name Little White Wonder can still be found in quite some pedigrees across the globe. This lineage is the true measure of success. I think we can say we made some history for this little dog, not just through titles, but by contributing to the quality and diversity of the breed’s international gene pool.
Health Issues
Next to the shows we have very much been focusing on the health of the breed. For us, showing is simply the assessment of physical conformation; health is the bedrock of our entire program. A beautiful dog is only truly successful if it can live a long, healthy, and happy life. We always test all our dogs before breeding—a non-negotiable step. This includes thorough screenings for issues relevant to the breed, such as Patella Luxation (PL) and ophthalmic examinations to ensure their vision is perfect. Furthermore, we invest heavily in modern technology and also have a full DNA profile done on any of our dogs. This allows us to screen for known genetic markers, verify parentage, and make highly informed breeding choices to avoid the concentration of deleterious genes. This way we do everything we can to breed a healthy dog, minimizing risks for our puppies and their future owners.
Our commitment extends beyond our own kennel. I am involved in several breed clubs in an advisory and active capacity, where we work on any health issues existing in the breed and mapping history. This collective effort is vital for the breed’s long-term welfare. A significant achievement in this area is the project where I have set up the first ever International Bolognese Pedigree Database that has merged many national pedigree databases together. Prior to this, tracking lines across borders was fragmented and difficult. This centralized database provides a powerful tool for breeders worldwide to research bloodlines, assess genetic diversity, and make responsible breeding decisions based on a comprehensive view of the global Bolognese population. To honor the past.
Setting up in Portugal
We have also set up a Facebook page with pictures from history, preserving and celebrating the breed’s heritage for new enthusiasts. Currently we are taking it all a step southwards. This year has brought a major life change, as we moved to Portugal and are embracing the challenge of a new environment. Our primary goal is to hope to establish the breed there and in Spain. It is a startling reality that there are No breeders on the whole Iberian Peninsula! This vast region presents a blank canvas and a vital opportunity to introduce the Bolognese to new families and enthusiasts, ensuring the breed’s presence in a key part of Europe where it is currently absent. This is an exciting new mission that brings our journey full circle—back to establishing the breed in a new region, just as we helped establish it in Australia and Japan years ago. To ensure the highest quality foundation for this new chapter, we have recently imported some new beautiful dogs from the USA that go back to our older breeding that we once exported there. It is a lovely validation of our original work to bring those successful lines back home and use them to launch the Little White Wonder name into the next generation in Southern Europe.
