Bolognese Dog Breed Facts & Personality

Prepare to be bowled over by the Bolognese—a captivating cousin to the ever-popular Maltese. The origins of this charismatic breed can be traced back to the city of Bologna in northern Italy. It’s thought the breed is a descendant of the Maltese and Bichon Frise, and these breeds all originate from the Mediterranean region. But despite a shared history, the Bolognese is a completely separate breed.

They might be small and stocky, but there’s a lot of personality packed into these tiny pups. Bolognese dogs are smart, easy-going, and don’t need much exercise. They love nothing more than hanging out with their families and don’t like being left home alone for long. Bologneses aren’t generally yappy, but they won’t hesitate to alert you to strange noises when necessary!   

Are you the perfect person for a Bolognese? Keep reading to find out!

Bolognese: Size, Weight & Appearance

As a small breed, male dogs shouldn’t stand taller than 10-12 inches at the shoulder once they’re fully grown. Females are often slightly smaller than males, measuring up to 11 inches once mature. Both males and female should weigh between 6-10 pounds once fully grown. Bolognese tend to reach their mature size by around 6-8 months, although this can be affected by factors including their diet, gender, and whether they’ve been spayed or neutered.    

Bolognese dogs have small, stocky, and square-shaped bodies. The length from the shoulder to the base of the tail should be about equal to their height at the withers. Their tail is usually carried in an adorable curl over the back. 

The Bolognese breed is found in only one color — pure white! Although the breed standard mentions that very slight shades of ivory are acceptable, that shading is uncommon. A Bolognese’s nose, lips, eyelids, and nails should also be black. 

One distinctive feature of this breed is its single coat. The Bolognese coat is soft, and fluffy, and has just one layer. They shed minimally, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers. 

“[The Bolognese has] no undercoat and falls in loose ringlets, with shorter hair on the face,” said Adele Summers, secretary of the British Bolognese Club. Traditionally their coat is left untrimmed and needs regular grooming to remain free from mats. Some owners keep their dog’s coat trimmed into a shorter puppy cut for easier maintenance.

Bolognese Health

Most Bolognese are healthy little dogs, although the breed can be prone to a few health conditions. “The Bolognese breed, like many other small breed dogs, are predisposed to luxating patellas,” explains Dr. Vanessa Weidner, Associate Veterinarian at GoodVets Polaris. She adds that they can also inherit hip dysplasia, although this is less common.   

As they mature, osteoporosis is more likely if a dog already suffers from either luxating patellas or hip dysplasia. Dr. Weidner adds that they can develop cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, affecting their eyesight later on. It’s always a good idea to ask breeders for the results of any health tests. Recommended tests include a patella evaluation and eye exams, which should cost around $100 depending on your location. Make sure to account for these when budgeting costs for your new pet. 

Bolognese Personality & Lifestyle

Bolognese dogs might be small, but they’re packed full of personality! “These little pups can be a little more serious than some other breeds, especially around new people,” explains Russell Hartstein, a Certified Dog Behaviorist and Trainer in Los Angeles. He says their personality shines through when spending time with their pet parents, showing their faithful, loving, and playful side. As with any breed, Hartstein mentions these personality traits can vary. 

Bolognese are generally very laid-back and simply enjoy hanging out with their people. It can take them a while to warm up to strangers. “While not generally a yappy breed, they have acute hearing and will bark at strange noises,” Summers says. 

As a smaller breed, don’t expect a Bolognese to be up for a long hike or other strenuous activity. They’d rather watch from the sidelines! They don’t need much space at home either, so can be a good choice if you live in a city or apartment. This breed tends to bond strongly with their pet parents and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. That means they’re not well suited if you work long hours away from home, as they always prefer to have company. 

Ideal Environment & Family for a Bolognese

Summers says Bolognese are robust, happy, and healthy little dogs. They are happy to slot into a family environment and are gentle and patient with children, provided they’re well-socialized. However, Hartstein cautions that even though these dogs do well with children, they should be supervised when around kids alone.

These fluffy little dogs will always prefer to be part of a family where someone is usually home to keep them company. They prefer attention over exercise, so they are a great choice for retired people or families with children. Most will be happy with short walks plus a securely fenced yard to hang out in. 

“They’re eager to be with their family and person and typically get along with people and other dogs very well,” said Hartstein. The most important thing a Bolognese craves is quality time with their pet parents. Whether that’s hanging out on the couch at home or going for a laid-back walk around the park, companionship is crucial for these little dogs. 

That being said, the Bolognese is typically a friendly, intelligent family dog that does well in many environments.

Bolognese Training

“Bolognese dogs can be trained to do just about anything that any dog can be trained to do within the confines of their small stature and eagerness to learn,” Hartstein says. He added that how long it takes to train your Bolognese depends on several factors, saying, “It depends on your dog’s food motivation, intelligence, and most importantly, the skill, expertise, and experience of a Certified Dog Trainer and the pet parents’ compliance and practice.” 

Many Bolognese dogs aren’t as food motivated as some breeds, nor are they always interested in toys. Because of this, Summers explains that working out a way to become your dog’s favorite thing will make training a breeze.

Bolognese Grooming

If left with a long coat, Bolognese dogs are relatively high-maintenance. Summers says that regular brushing and combing prevent mats and tangles, which can form very quickly. Smaller mats can be worked out with a conditioning lotion, but larger mats may need to be cut out. Lastly, she says pet parents should comb from the tips of the hair towards the body.

Some pet parents choose to have their dogs trimmed with a puppy cut, which is lower maintenance day-to-day but does involve regular trips to the groomers. This breed rarely requires a bath. 

Alongside regular grooming, checking your dog’s ears, nails, and teeth frequently is a good idea. Smaller dogs can suffer from dental issues, so brushing your Bolognese’s teeth regularly in between checkups is recommended. 

Getting a Bolognese

As a relatively rare breed, you might need to wait for puppies to become available and be prepared for a potentially large price tag. Expect to pay somewhere between $1500-$2500 for a puppy, but bear in mind that many breeders only offer one or two litters for sale per year. The American Kennel Club list available litters from breeders across the USA, but it’s worth getting in touch with breeders in advance to find out when their next litters are planned. 

Why a Bolognese May Not Be Right For You

You might be captivated by the cuteness of these little dogs. However, part of being a responsible pet parent means considering if you’re the right match for them. Bolognese dogs are relatively low energy, so if you’re looking for an energetic small dog that can keep up with all your activities, they might not be the right choice. They also don’t enjoy being left home alone regularly, so they suit families where almost constant human companionship is available. 

Breeds Like Bolognese

If you love the look of the Bolognese but aren’t sure if they’re exactly the right breed for you, these breeds could be a better fit:

• Bichon Frise: Smart, small, and highly sociable, the Bichon Frise is a happy-go-lucky breed with plenty of confidence. 
• Maltese: These tiny dogs are a popular choice, for good reason! They’re adaptable, gentle, and lively.
• Havanese: Outgoing, energetic, and packed full of personality, these little dogs are smart and love plenty of training sessions. 
• Coton de Tulear: This unusual small breed was kept isolated from the rest of the world for many years until the rest of us ‘cottoned’ on to how awesome they are! 

If you have your heart set on a Bolognese, make sure you check out rescue shelters both in your local area or further. They might just have the perfect pup waiting to find their new forever home.