Bolognese Dog Overview
The Bolognese, a tiny companion breed from Italy, is a placid, faithful dog with a long, fluffy pure-white coat. They are quite playful, easygoing, and enjoy being around others.
The Bolognese is a short, stocky man with a square build. He is calm and inactive, devoted to his and his people.
They can be shy around strangers, but if properly socialized, they will warm up fast. The Bolognese is prone to separation anxiety and does not fare well alone for lengthy periods of time.
They would be unsuitable for persons who work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bolos are an ancient breed, known in Roman times by royals and noblemen, and were presented as valuable presents between the wealthy and powerful.
Bolognese Highlights
- The Bolognese has an all-white coat that is soft and fluffy like the texture of cotton.
- The majority of Bolognese are healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will screen breeding stock for health conditions such as luxating patellas and eye anomalies.
- Small dog breeds, such as the Bolognese, can be prone to “small dog syndrome.”
- Bolos would make great apartment dogs, provided they would still have a moderate exercise schedule.
Bolognese Breed Features & Ratings:
Rated base on a 5 Star Scale
ENERGY LEVEL: 4 Star
EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS: 4 Star
PLAYFULNESS: 5 Star
AFFECTION LEVEL: 5 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO DOGS: 5 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO OTHER PETS: 5 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO STRANGERS: 5 Star
WATCHFULNESS: 5 Star
EASE OF TRAINING: 5 Star
GROOMING REQUIREMENTS: 5 Star
HEAT SENSITIVITY: 5 Star
VOCALITY 5 Star
Bolognese Characteristics:
- Dog Breed Group: Working Dogs
- Height: Males: 10.5-12 inches (27-30 cm) Female: 10-11 inches (25-28 cm)
- Weight: 4.5-9 pounds (2.5-4 kg)
- Life Span: 13-15 years
- Type: Purebred
- AREA OF ORIGIN: Italy
- DATE OF ORIGIN:
- OTHER NAMES: Bichon Bolognese, Bolognese Toy Dog
- Temperament: Docile, Enterprising, Loyal, Reserved, Serious
- Activities: XXXX
- Color: Pure White
- Litter Size: 4 to 7 puppies
- Puppy Prices: $1000 – $2500 USD on average
Bolognese Health:
The vast majority of Bolognese are healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will examine breeding stock for health issues like luxating patellas (human “trick knee”) and eye anomalies.
To lessen the likelihood of sickness in their puppies, good breeders use health screening and genetic testing.
The National Breed Club recommends the following health tests:
- CERF
- Patella Evaluation
Bolognese Grooming:
The Bolognese, like all other long-haired dog breeds, requires extensive grooming.
If you clip the coat short, you won’t have to brush it as frequently, but you will have to trim your Bolo’s coat on a regular basis.
If you choose to leave your Bolo’s coat long, plan to brush it daily to avoid matting and odor. Bolognese dogs, like all dogs, require regular dental care and nail trimming.
Bolos, like many long-haired dogs, do not shed much. They do not shed their entire coat a few times a year, as certain breeds, like as Huskies, do.
While they are frequently thought to be low-shedding, they still have hair, so you may notice long white hairs around your house.
Still, for mild allergy sufferers or those who enjoy a clean environment, a Bolognese may be a smart choice.
Bolognese Exercise:
Bolos would make excellent apartment dogs if they were given a decent amount of exercise. They would make good companions for retirees and elders because they are peaceful and gentle.
Playing in the backyard, preferably fenced in, or going for walks could be options for exercise.
Indoor pastimes such as hide-and-seek, chasing a ball tossed across the floor, or teaching them new behaviors are ideal for the low-energy, yet playful, Bolognese.
Bolognese Training:
Small dog breeds like the Bolognese are susceptible to “small dog syndrome.”
This is a man-made behavior in which the dog believes he is the “pack leader” to humans, which can cause separation anxiety and timidity.
Those who want to own a Bolognese can learn what they need to know to avoid or fix this behavior.
Bolognese Food and Nutrition:
Despite their lack of athleticism, Bolos require a proper diet. In fact, one of the greatest ways to maintain your friendly little lap dog in good form is to eat a nutritious diet.
Your vet will help you in selecting a small breed of formula dog food. Examine your dog’s weight on a regular basis by feeling for her hip bones and rib cage.
You should be able to palpate these bones without having to dig through any fat, but they should not protrude. It can be difficult to detect your dog’s waistline through all that fluff, so use your hands!
Puzzle feeders help your dog settle down and burn off energy during mealtimes, and they can truly assist your dog enjoy its high-quality dog food.
Bolognese Temperament and Personality:
This bright and loving dog is amusing and inquisitive, and he enjoys spending time with his owners, whether it’s going on walks, running errands, or playing with the kids.
He’s a member of the Bichon family of white, fluffy canines, sometimes known as the Bichon Bolognese, and he got his name from the Italian city of Bologna.
He is skilled at manipulating others to get his way and can be difficult to housetrain, so be patient and consistent.
Bolognese Care/Upkeep:
Bolos, like all dogs, require mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis. They are not super-athletes and are often content with backyard fun or long leashed walks.
Bolos may not be suited for people who work outside the house 40 hours per week because of their inclination toward separation anxiety; owners should make sure to supply them with lots of puzzle toys if they are left home alone.
They are normally fairly friendly, however, and may thrive in a doggie daycare that is well-equipped for little dogs.
Bolognese Relationship with Children and Other Pets
A Bolognese can make an excellent family pet. Bolognese are loving and enjoy spending time with the people in their family.
However, they are best suited for families that no longer have toddlers around the home.
Young children that haven’t yet learned how to appropriately interact with a dog could injure a small dog like a Bolognese.
It is always important to supervise children when they are around a Bolognese to prevent an accidental injury of either the child or the dog.
Bolognese Names
Rank | Boy Names | Girl Names |
01 | Charlie | Molly |
02 | Cooper | Bella |
03 | Toby | Coco |
04 | Jack | Luna |
05 | Bentley | Abbie |
06 | Milo | Lulu |
07 | Oliver | Zoey |
08 | Louie | Stella |
09 | Lucky | Ellie |
10 | Cody | Penny |
All About Bolognese
The Bolognese is a small, white, alongside a compact dog with a characteristic single coat of white. It is tiny, stocky, and compact.
It has a square build and a well-muscled physique. The head is medium in length. The skull is slightly oval in shape.
The muzzle is big, black, and nearly square in shape. It has a developed jaw and upper lips that do not cover the lower lips. It has black lips.
It has teeth that are white, robust, and evenly aligned. It has well-developed eyes that are open and spherical. The eyelid rims are black, and the iris has a dark ochre tint.
The ears are high on the head, long and dangling, yet rigid at the base. The tail is draped over the back in a curving fashion.
The height of a Bolognese ranges from 10.5 to 12 inches for a man and 10-11 inches for a female. The weight of the dog ranges from 4.5 to 9 lbs.
Very somber, with a low level of energy in general. The Bolognese is known to be slightly more reserved and shy than its cousin, the Bichon Frise.
He is enterprising, obedient, and enjoys his masters. Bolognese like human company and build intimate bonds with their owners.
Bolognese get along well with other animals they are vivacious, energetic, and cheerful. This eager small dog responds well to obedience instruction.
He’s rough and tumble outside, but quiet and content within. They are approachable to strangers. Allow children to become accustomed to people and noises at a young age.
Because of its small size, this breed is prone to Small Dog Syndrome, a human-induced behavior in which the canine believes he is the pack leader to humans.
This leads to a variety of behavioral issues, including separation anxiety and timidity.
Bolognese History:
The Bolognese dog, descended from Bichons, first appeared in the 11th century in Bologna, Italy.
The breed was popular among the nobility and was frequently exchanged as a gift between noble families during the Renaissance, particularly between Italian and Belgian monarchs.
When the nobles began to die out, the breed almost became extinct.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that an Italian breeder named Gian Franco Giannelli, along with a few other European breeders, helped bring the Bolognese back to prominence.
The breed was introduced to England and first competed in Imported Register classes in 1990.
The AKC has not yet acknowledged “Bolos,” as they are affectionately known, but they have been showing at the Crufts dog show since 2002.
Where to Adopt Bolognese:
Seeking a Bolognese rescue may be even more difficult, given how rarely this breed appears in shelters.
However, you can sign up for The American Bolognese Club’s Adoption, Rescue, and Re-Homing Program, and they will contact you if a dog becomes available.
Because Bolognese dogs are uncommon, there are few breeders in the United States.
However, the following two organizations may be of use in terms of leads:
- The American Bolognese Club
- The Bolognese Breed Association
More Dog Breeds and Further Research:
Before you get a new dog, look into other comparable breeds to compare personalities and needs.
To learn more, talk to owners, breeders, and rescue groups, as well as meet a few Bolognese puppies in person.
If you’re looking for similar breeds, take a look at:
Bolognese Fun Facts:
- The Bolognese dog can grow to be 9 to 12.5 inches tall and weigh 8 to 14 pounds.
- The Bolognese dog has a white, fluffy, woolly coat (no undercoat).
- The face is shrouded in short hair, while the rest of the body is shrouded in much longer fur.
Frequenrly Asked Questions (FAQs):
Bolognese Dogs are classed as a toy breed and are now cherished as lap dogs and loving companionsA female can have up to seven puppies, with an average of three in a single litter.
Bolognese get along well with other animals because they are vivacious, energetic, and cheerful. This eager small dog responds well to obedience instruction. He’s rough and tumble outside, but quiet and content within. They are approachable to strangers.
Some breeders claim that the Bolognese is the best thinker and problem solver of the group. The dog is also, by far, the most difficult of those breeds to find. Some Bolognese do well in competitive obedience and agility because they are quick to learn and respond well to mild training.