- Bolognese Dog Breed: Everything You Need to Know
Everything You Need to Know About
Bolognese Dog Breed
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Table of Contents
Bolognese Dog General Information
The cute Bolognese dog breed stands out due to its small size and fluffy white coat.
The Bolognese origins can be traced back to a region of 11th century Italy called Bologna, where this breed was the beloved lapdog of Italian nobility. They also appeared frequently as gifts between people of great status.
When the Italian nobility dwindled, this breed became almost extinct — but was saved by the great fans of these small fluffy dogs.
Now, Bolognese is the perfect breed for those who stay at home frequently and are looking for a cute, fun, and playful dog.
Characteristics of a
Bolognese
Pay attention to these most common traits of a Bolognese:
Temperament
The typical Bolognese temperament is calm, docile, playful, and faithful.
Classified as a toy breed, these small companion dogs are easy-going, serene, and devoted to their owners. They have a tendency to form very strong bonds with one or two people.
They can sometimes be serious and enterprising, in contrast with their fun, playful nature.
Bolognese can be quite reserved and shy at times, but they are friendly to all kinds of people and animals once properly socialized.
Energy Level
The Bolognese dog breed is low-energy, mostly due to its small size, so it doesn’t need as much exercise as many other dogs.
A twenty-minute walk twice per day is usually enough, and then your Bolognese will be content to curl up on the couch to relax.
You can also exercise your Bolognese with indoor and outdoor play, but it doesn’t have the same physical and mental benefits that proper exercise like walking does.
Play options include hide-and-seek, ball chasing, trick training, etc.
The Bolognese dog breed is low-energy mostly due to its small size, so it doesn’t need as much exercise as many other dogs.
A twenty-minute walk twice per day is usually enough, and your Bolognese will be content to curl up on the couch afterward.
You can also exercise your Bolognese with indoor and outdoor play, but it doesn’t have the same physical and mental benefits that proper exercise like walking does.
Play options include hide-and-seek, ball chasing, trick training, etc.
Size
These friendly dogs are known to be small, stocky, and squarely built. Their chest depth is approximately half of the height at the withers.
- Weight:
The typical weight range for both male and female dogs is 2.5 – 4 kg (5.5 – 8.8 lbs), although the ideal Bolognese should fall in the middle.
- Weight:
- Height:
Bolognese dog size generally ranges between 25 – 30 cm (9.8 – 11.8 in), with females in the 25 – 28 cm (9.8 – 11 in) range and males ranging from 27 – 30 cm (10.6 – 11.8 in).
- Height:
- Length:
Their overall body length is 33 – 46 cm (13 – 18 in).
- Length:
Average Size Chart
Weight
Female
Male
2.5 – 4 kg
5.5 – 8.8 lbs
2.5 – 4 kg
5.5 – 8.8 lbs
Height
Female
Male
25 – 28 cm
9.8 – 11 in
27 – 30 cm
10.6 – 11.8 in
Length
Female
Male
33 – 46 cm
13 – 18 in
33 – 46 cm
13 – 18 in
Weight
Female
2.5 – 4 kg
5.5 – 8.8 lbs
Male
2.5 – 4 kg
5.5 – 8.8 lbs
Height
Female
25 – 28 cm
9.8 – 11 in
Male
27 – 30 cm
10.6 – 11.8 in
Length
Female
33 – 46 cm
13 – 18 in
Male
33 – 46 cm
13 – 18 in
Trainability / Intelligence
These sensitive and intelligent dogs are easy to train, as they love to learn and to please their family.
Due to their high intellect, they also get bored quickly and tend to have a stubborn streak when they don’t get their way.
They are responsive to obedience training and respond best to training methods that incorporate variation and positive reinforcement.
Be patient and simply ignore mistakes when training your dog — only respond to the desired behavior.
Other Pets / Children
- Other pets:
The Bolognese dog breed is non-aggressive and friendly towards other dogs.
- Other pets:
They can get along well with cats as long as they are introduced while young; The only times they don’t get along is when the Bolognese starts chasing the cat due to its dormant hunting instincts.
- Children:
Bolognese are also incredibly friendly and affectionate toward kids.
- Children:
However, as toy breeds, they are only suitable to be around children old enough to be capable of handling them carefully and safely.
Shedding / Coat
If you’re looking for a fluffy small dog that doesn’t shed much, the Bolognese is for you!
Bolognese dog shedding is almost non-existent, so they are considered non-shedding dogs.
Their white and fluffy coat is soft and wool-like, and their shedding is limited to the kind of natural hair fall that humans also experience.
In addition, their small size and single coat further reduce shedding.
Grooming / Care
Bolognese dogs may not shed much, but they still require regular grooming as their woolly medium-length coat is prone to matting, tangling, and catching dirt.
Daily brushing sessions are ideal, but four times a week can be enough in some cases.
Daily tooth brushing is recommended.
Bathing can be done as required, and nail trimming should be once a month.
The coat can also be trimmed, although most owners leave it long and fluffy.
Bolognese dogs may not shed much, but they still require regular grooming as their woolly medium-length coat is prone to matting, tangling, and catching dirt.
Daily brushing sessions are ideal, but four times a week can be enough in some cases.
Daily tooth brushing is recommended.
Bathing can be done as required, and nail trimming should be once a month.
The coat can also be trimmed, although most owners leave it long and fluffy.
Common Health Issues / Veterinary needs
The Bolognese dog breed is a relatively healthy breed and despite the number of possible genetic health concerns.
The Bolognese dog lifespan ranges from 12 to 14 years.
- Bolognese Dog Genetic Health Issues:
The Bolognese dog breed is prone to - chronic allergies,
- ear infections,
- hip dysplasia,
- luxating patella,
- cataracts, and
- progressive retinal atrophy
- Bolognese Dog Genetic Health Issues:
as a result of their unique genetic makeup.
Take your dog for annual vet visits where your vet conducts a thorough examination, updates any missed shots, and checks for heartworm disease.
Bolognese dogs should also be checked regularly for epilepsy, heart disease, urinary stones, pancreatitis, diabetes, etc., and females be spayed by 6 months to reduce breast cancer risk.
Nutrition
Like any other dog, Bolognese dogs need a high-protein, low-carb diet, making quality grain-free kibble an ideal starting point.
Adult small dogs do well on half a cup of kibble twice daily, while puppies younger than 6 months should be fed 3-4 times per day, depending on their size and age.
Dry dog food can be mixed with dog-safe broth, dog-safe vegetables, or water. In general, “people food” should be limited to avoid vitamin/mineral imbalances and obesity.
Like any other dog, Bolognese dogs need a high-protein, low-carb diet, making quality grain-free kibble an ideal starting point.
Adult small dogs do well on half a cup of kibble twice daily, while puppies younger than 6 months should be fed 3-4 times per day, depending on their size and age.
Dry dog food can be mixed with dog-safe broth, dog-safe vegetables, or water. In general, “people food” should be limited to avoid vitamin/mineral imbalances and obesity.
First Time Owner?
If you’ve never owned a dog before, consider getting a Bolognese dog!
Yes, these small dogs are great for first-time owners as they don’t shed much, don’t need a lot of exercise, and are pretty much content doing whatever you’re doing.
Training them is also quite easy, as they are very owner-orientated and eager to please.
The only challenging bit for novice owners is the amount of grooming they require, but that too is just more time-consuming than difficult.
Special Needs
• Living Space
These tiny lapdogs don’t need a lot of room and require only about 40 minutes of walking per day.
This means they can adapt to almost any space, including apartment life.
As for living arrangements, Bolognese are sensitive dogs that need elevated warm spots away from drafts to rest, so a nice, warm dog bed is highly recommended.
Also, dog-proof your house, making sure that you don’t have any chemicals or heavy objects that could fall and injure your fragile Bolognese dog.
As for living arrangements, Bolognese are sensitive dogs that need elevated warm spots away from drafts to rest, so a nice, warm dog bed is highly recommended.
Also, dog-proof your house, making sure that you don’t have any chemicals or heavy objects that could fall and injure your fragile Bolognese dog.
• Separation Anxiety
Bolognese dogs frequently suffer from separation anxiety, as they form powerful attachments with one human.
They may often howl, bark, and display other symptoms of anxiety when no longer near that special person.
Train your puppy from a young age by leaving them alone for short periods with toys that take a lot of attention to play with, such as a food-filled Kong toy.
Use positive reinforcement like praise along with leaving the food-filled Kong toy to associate your leaving with positive things. Try to avoid acting sad when leaving or returning.
This will help make your dog understand that leaving doesn’t mean you will never come back.
Other Things to Consider
• Socialization
Bolognese dogs must be socialized early on to ensure they are well-behaved, balanced, and sociable.
Like many other small dogs, they are prone to small dog syndrome, where they exhibit aggressive traits to compensate for their small size. Sometimes, these traits are tolerated due to their small size and the dog not being considered a threat.
Regardless of size, all dogs must be properly trained for their health and safety.
Good socialization and consistent training can go a long way in correcting and limiting such behaviors.
Socialize your dog at puppy classes or hold puppy parties once they’re vaccinated.
Take great care if visiting a dog park or other places with large dogs, as all toy breeds are fragile and should usually not be close enough to large dogs to be injured.
• Fragility
Bolognese are small, fragile dogs, so it’s necessary to treat them delicately.
For example, when picking an adult Bolognese up, be sure to grab it from beneath and hold it with its chest on one arm and rump on the other.
Picking up puppies is easier, but should be done equally carefully: To carry a Bolognese puppy, place one hand under your dog’s chest and use your forearm or other hand to support its back legs and rear.
These small dogs need to be kept away from large objects that may fall down, and great care should be taken to avoid accidentally kicking or sitting on them, as they are easily injured.
Never let a small dog jump around on furniture, as a fall off of a couch could easily cause a broken leg.
Bolognese Dog FAQ
How Much Do Bolognese Dogs Cost?
On average, these puppies range from $1,000 – $3,000, depending on age, breeding quality, and heritage.
This high price is due to this breed’s rarity in the United States, so you should also expect a waiting list to get your hands on one.
If buying from a good breeder, this Bolognese dog price should also include any medical paperwork, a health guarantee, an OFA certification, a DNA test, up-to-date vaccinations, and a certified vet health check-up.
Are Bolognese Dogs Hypoallergenic?
Yes!
Bolognese dogs are hypoallergenic dogs and are much less likely to cause allergic reactions compared to other breeds.
This is because they are non-shedding and produce less dander, which is the primary agent responsible for causing allergies by attaching itself to pet hair.
Remember to still exercise caution, as you can not know for sure if you or a family member will develop a reaction to a certain Bolognese dog.
In addition, skin and saliva proteins can also be allergenic, and the coarser adult Bolognese coat is more likely to trigger allergies than the softer puppy coat.
Do Bolognese Dogs Bark a Lot?
Not really.
Bolognese dogs are prone to separation anxiety and can start barking excessively as a result.
However, under normal circumstances, they only bark occasionally, which makes them excellent for apartment or condo living.
They also do not have the “yappy bark” characteristic of most other small dog breeds.
Bolognese Dog Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fluffy but non-shedding
- Considered hypoallergenic
- Very friendly and loving with family
- Needs minimal excersise
- Great for families who can handle with care
- Great for apartments and city life
Cons
- Fragile — unsuitable with small children and large dogs who want to play
- Need supervision to prevent accidental injury
- Need frequent grooming
- Prone to having allergies and weak joints and hips
- Prone to becoming very attached to human and developing separation anxiety
Care Guide
