Origin
Italy
Lifespan
12–14 years
Weight
3–4 kg
Height
25–30 cm
Personality
Colors & Patterns
White
Bolognese
About This Breed
The Bolognese is a small Italian Bichon-type companion breed with a distinctive fluffy white coat. Favored by Italian nobility during the Renaissance, they are calm, devoted dogs that form intensely loyal bonds with their owners.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Bolognese
Origin
| Origin | Italy |
| Group | Toy |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 3–4 kg |
| Lifespan | 12–14 years |
| Height | 25–30 cm |
| Colors & Patterns | White |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Devoted · Docile · Playful · Calm |
Often enjoys a mix of activity and rest.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Coat care can take more time. Check for tangles and choose a brushing routine that suits the coat.
Usually sheds relatively little. Low shedding does not mean an animal cannot cause allergies.
Living together
Often adjusts to changes fairly well, though a gradual introduction still helps.
Teach children to handle it gently and leave it alone when it rests.
Introduce other pets gradually and watch how each animal responds.
Training and activities
Practice in short sessions and reward the behavior you want.
Choose walks, sniffing games, and play to suit the dog’s age and health. Allow rest as well.
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
Breed Overview
The Bolognese dog has been a loyal and treasured companion since the breed’s inception centuries ago. According to the American Bolognese Club, Italian nobility were a steward of the breed and these petite, fluffy dogs are frequently featured in Renaissance-period art. Today, the breed is relatively rare but might look familiar: The Bolo, as the dogs are sometimes called, is related to other small white dogs with Mediterranean origins like the Maltese, Havanese, and Bichon Frise. A full-grown Bolognese dog is 10–12 inches at the shoulder and weighs 6–10 pounds.
Care Guide
The Bolognese dog breed has been bred for centuries with companionship in mind, so it should come as no surprise that these dogs are known for being calm, loyal, and affectionate with their human family members. They have an easygoing personality and are not known to be high-maintenance, so Bolognese dogs make adept travelers and errand partners. However, their grooming requires more diligence to keep their soft, wavy coat unmatted and looking its best.