Your Cart is Empty
A dog with a rich history, the Bolognse may look like one of the newer hybrids that have been popping up, but they’ve actually been around for many centuries. They’re known for their friendly, confident nature and kindness, and they can make excellent family pets.
This guide discusses their breed characteristics, temperament, health, and much more. The aim is to provide a deep insight into their breed; a great read for current and prospective owners. If you've ever had a question about the Bolognese, this is the article for you!
Lifespan
13 - 15 years
Size
Toy Breed
Weight
5.5-9 pounds
Height
9-12 inches
Colors
Pure white only
Size of home
The Bolognese breed thrives in small homes or apartments as long as given regular attention and walks. They need a quiet, stable environment—very bonded to their people.
Exercise
The Bolognese breed need around 30 minutes of daily exercise, including walks and gentle play. Mental stimulation is important like puzzle toys and training games. They are not overly energetic but they can benefit from routine outings.
Grooming
The Bolognese has high grooming needs due to its long, fluffy coat. Daily brushing is essential to prevent tangles and mats. Professional grooming every 4–6 weeks is recommended. The breed sheds very little, making it suitable for allergy sufferers. Regular eye cleaning is needed to manage tear staining on the white fur.
The Bolognese dog breed is a small dog with a white fluffy coat, that loves to show affection and to spend time with its family members. They have quite high grooming requirements, and must be brushed daily. They tend to enjoy good health and have an average lifespan of 13-15 years.
They do fine in small homes or apartments and do not have huge exercise requirements. They are not especially prone to behavioural disorders, but can develop separation anxiety if consistently left alone for prolonged periods.
They are a member of the Toy Group of dog breeds.
This is a gentle, docile and fun-loving dog. They can be spirited and even animated at times, but also have a very laidback demeanor in general. They are loyal to those in their family and can be a little reserved towards newcomers. Still, give them time, and they’ll soon warm up when treated kindly.
Most love to be around children and are very tolerant of them. They enjoy playing games of fetch and some even follow the kids around the home. As is true for all dogs, be sure to monitor them when with the children. This is a small breed, and there is the chance of a child stepping on them or trying to pick them up.
The Bolognese has a low prey drive and can do well with cats. Still, interactions should always be supervised. If well integrated, they tend to ignore them.
They can get along very well with other pets, particularly other small dogs. However, this is never a guarantee. Owners should do their best to socialise them in a positive manner during their first few months of life. If they’ve not spent any time with other pups since being removed from their litter, they may find it difficult to integrate with other dogs when past their socialisation period (the first 16 weeks of life).
Fun Fact: They are portrayed in a painting by Titian in the 17th century, and they’ve also been depicted in paintings by Gosse and Watteau, two highly esteemed French painters.
This is a breed that has been around for a number of centuries, and may have originated as early as the 13th century. As they are a part of the Bichon family, they are closely related to the Bichon Frise, Maltese and Coton du Tulear.
They likely first developed in the Middle East, before moving further west towards the Mediterranean. They were originally recognised as a breed in the Italian city of Bologna, from where they get their name. Here, they were seen as a status symbol and were owned by royals and dignitaries. They were even given as gifts among the upper classes! Still, for many years, they remained largely unpopular outside of Italy.
Today, it is estimated that there are less than 1,500 Bolognese dogs in the USA. This makes them quite a rare dog. In the UK, numbers are also low, but have been on the rise in recent years, so you may start to see more of them worldwide.
Fun Fact: Catherine the Great of Russia is said to have owned a Bolognese.
The Bolognese breed is a white and fluffy dog and some individuals may have a little cream or ivory in their coat, which is permitted. Their coat is soft and fluffy, almost like cotton. They can look quite ‘unkempt’ but this is the look you should be going for. However, you may wish to trim their hair shorter around their face- both for hygiene reasons and so they can see better.
Their body is small but compact and they have good muscling as well as a straight and level back. Though small, they could not be described as dainty or delicate. Their well-sprung ribs mean they have a cylindrical body shape.
Their limbs are relatively short in comparison to their body length. Males tend to grow to heights of 27 to 30 cm (11–12 in) in height, and weigh 2.8 to 4 kg (6–9 lb). Females are smaller, measuring up to 25 to 28 cm (10–11 in) tall at the withers and weighing from 2.5 to 3.8 kg (6–8 lb).
This is a mild-mannered and affectionate pet that is a veritable lap dog. They are happy to relax with you in the evening and can be quite cuddly.
They have relatively low energy levels, but can be playful and lively at times. Once they become an adult dog, they start to play notably less.
They adore companionship and dislike spending too much time alone. If left for many hours of the day, they have a tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Beware of treating the Bolognese like a baby or teddy bear, as this can lead to ‘small dog syndrome’. They certainly enjoy attention, affection and cuddles, but they should also be allowed to act like dogs, sniff the grass, and run about on all fours.
Alert and eager to learn, it is a real pleasure to train this dog. They can be taught to do a range of tricks and are obedient by nature.
They can be sensitive and respond poorly to negative reinforcement or punishment. It is important to reward good behaviour with praise and treats (positive reinforcement training) as this yields the best and quickest results.
For those breed members who show little interest in food, you may have success with extra high value treats, like warmed up chicken or sausage. Otherwise, use praise and perhaps even a ball game, as their reward.
These dogs do not have a high prey drive so can usually be trained to have a good recall. Start from puppyhood, so they do not see being off-lead as some exciting adventure. If you allow them off lead from a young age, rewarding them each time they come back to you, you should find this becomes the norm.
This is a good dog breed for those who do not live a vigorously active life. They need a couple of short 15-30 minute walks a day, though would be quite happy with more if it is on offer.
Keep their brains engaged by providing them with mental stimulation too. This should include food puzzles, daily training sessions and sniffing/scenting activities. Remember, a walk is not just about getting from A to B for these guys; it is about the sensory experience and having a good sniff of everything that is out there!
This dog is not a low maintenance breed when it comes to their grooming. They should be brushed each day, to help prevent mats or tangles. Focus on areas such as behind their ears, armpits or groin. You’ll likely need to have them trimmed at the groomers every three months or so.
If there is a waxy build up, this should be cleaned out every week or so using a canine ear cleaner.
Claws may need to be clipped as the dog gets older and they get thicker. There is a dew claw on each front leg, and this should be clipped every couple of months, as needed.
They can be prone to tear staining and you may find they have clumps of ‘gunk’ or matted fur under their eyes. If possible, try to clean and dry this area daily, to prevent this from happening. Any matted bits of fur may need to be gently trimmed away.
Brush their teeth daily if possible, or at least 3 times a week. This can be done by using a doggy toothbrush and dog friendly toothpaste. Human toothpaste should never be shared, as it can contain toxic ingredients like xylitol.
This dog thrives on a high quality, protein-based diet. Try to pick one that has a clear and limited ingredient list and where the first ingredient of the diet is fish or meat. Avoid diets that contain any artificial colours, preservatives or flavours.
It is best to feed these small dogs twice daily, as meals once a day can be too heavy for them.
Those with allergies will need a restricted protein diet, and some benefit from a hydrolyzed diet. If this sort of diet has been recommended by your vet, it must be stuck to religiously- with no treats or snacks.
There are a number of medical conditions that the Bolognese is predisposed to genetically. These include:
This painful condition affects the hip joint and first develops in young Bolognese dogs. The blood supply to the femoral head is cut off, meaning the bone tissue begins to die. The puppy has difficulty using their leg in full range, and the muscles begin to waste away.
X-rays are used to diagnose this condition and surgery is often the therapy of choice. Afterwards, dogs need post-op care that includes physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to strengthen the leg muscles.
The kneecaps of some Bolognese breed members can pop in and out of place, and this leads to skipping and temporary pain. Less commonly, the kneecap stays out of place and there is an ongoing lameness. The grade of severity is from a one to a four, with a four being the most severe.
An exam from a veterinary surgeon and X-ray can help diagnose the condition definitively, and treatment depends on the grade of luxation. Some dogs can be managed with rest and anti inflammatories, while others may need surgery in order to recover.
As is not uncommon for smaller breeds, many middle-aged and senior Bolognese dogs develop gingivitis and rotten teeth. Signs can include bad breath, drooling, a reluctance to eat crunchy foods and visible yellow or brown build-up on the teeth. Owners can help to prevent dental disease by brushing teeth daily and using plaque reducing powders and liquids that are added to food and water.
Once dental disease is established, a dental treatment at the vet clinic under anaesthesia is required. The Bolognese dog may need several over their lifetime.
The floppy ears of this dog mean that the canals can become moist and humid, especially in warm weather or after swimming. Signs include a red ear canal, bad smell, waxy build up, head shaking and ear scratching. A vet visit is needed to examine and swab the affected ear. Treatment tends to include antibiotic ear drops and anti inflammatories.
Those Bolognese dogs prone to recurrent ear infections often have underlying issues, such as allergies. For these dogs, a full dermatological work-up is advised.
Signs of skin allergies tend to include red skin, itchiness and secondary skin infections. The face, armpits, groin, belly and paws are most often involved. Allergic dermatitis tends to develop around the ages of one and three.
Though allergies and atopic dermatitis cannot be cured, they can usually be managed. This means ongoing vet visits and interventions such as medicated washes, allergen avoidance, skin supplements, anti-itch medicine and antibiotics. To determine what your Bolognese dog is reacting to, you may keep a ‘reaction log’ or potentially run some tests in the vet clinic, such as skin prick tests or IgE allergy blood tests.
Stones in the kidneys and bladder can be an issue for some breed members. Signs can include peeing more often, staining to pass urine, and blood in the urine. Urinary stones are usually diagnosed using imaging (X-rays and bladder scans). A urine analysis may show crystals, but this is not always the case. Many dogs are going to have secondary bacterial infections.
Depending on the stone type, they can be treated using diet, or urinary acidifiers. For more persistent stones, surgery may be needed to remove them. After removal, your vet may send the stone to an external lab for analysis, to confirm the stone type. This way, a treatment plan can be made going forwards, to ensure the stones do not re-form.
Though not hugely food-driven, if they are over-fed consistently, this small dog can easily put on weight. You are aiming for a Body Condition Score of 3-4 out of 9. Being overweight not only reduces lifespan but also decreases quality of life while the dog is alive. Obesity can contribute to a range of medical issues including arthritis, cancers, and skin disease.
If your Bolognese is obese, talk to your vet about how you can rectify this. They may discuss a satiety diet and exercise programme, and some veterinarians offer regular weigh-in clinics that you can attend, to monitor progress.
These dogs love to have companionship so are best suited to those who spend a lot of time in the home. They need a moderate amount of exercise, so do not require a very active household.
Friendly and mild-mannered, most happily accept other pets in their household, as well as children. To ensure they tolerate them well, they should be introduced to them and socialised with them from a very young age- before 16 weeks of age.
This is a suitable breed for seniors and for those who apartment dwell.
Choose a breeder that is transparent and happy to answer all of your questions. They should be happy for you to meet the litter alongside mum, and to see them nursing. This helps prevent purchasing from a puppy mill.
When presented with a litter of puppies, it can be hard to make a decision with regards who is coming home with you. Keep an eye out for signs of ill health, such as bloating, a limp, itchy skin or a smelly ear. Pick a pup that has no health issues, to avoid future vet bills.
It is a good idea to choose a puppy that is bright and reactive to you- that runs towards you and enjoys interacting. A puppy who is cowering away or very nervous may grow up with anxiety or behavioral issues.
These pups can set you back anything from $1,000 to $2,500. You are likely to pay more if you purchase from a highly recommended breeder and one who health tests their dogs.
Keep in mind, low cost is not always a good thing, and you could end up buying a problem. Do also keep in mind that the purchase price is just the tip of the iceberg, and a lifetime cost of this breed can be up to $30,000, especially if they develop medical issues.
Whenever possible, invest in a good pet insurance policy that should cover the cost of any ongoing medical issues.
Follow Us On
Check Out Our Most Popular Content
