Dog breed
Bolognese
The Bolognese is a small, snow-white companion dog from Italy, related to the Maltese and the Bichon Frise. Its fluffy coat falls in loose flocks and barely sheds. It is calm, gentle and very attached to its owner, which makes it a good apartment dog, including for seniors and first-time owners.
- Low shedding
- FCI Group IX · Companion dogs · standard no. 196
- Weight
- 2.5–4 kg
- Height
- 25–30 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Origin
- Italy
Temperament
The FCI standard describes the Bolognese as very cheerful, rather inactive, and extremely loyal to its owner and household. In practice it is a quiet companion that would rather spend the day right next to its person, on a lap or the couch. It is not as bouncy as the Bichon Frise, but it likes to play, learns simple tricks and enjoys short walks with its people. With strangers it can be shy and reserved at first, but with its family it is effusive and affectionate. It rarely barks without a reason. It bonds very strongly with its owner, so it copes badly with long hours alone; left by itself, it may whine and chew things up. It usually lives peacefully with other dogs and cats. Around children, remember that it is a delicate dog weighing just a few kilograms that does not like being pulled or carried around.
- Energy
- calmvery energetic
- Affection
- independentvelcro pet
- With children
- not idealgreat
- With other pets
- difficultgreat
- Trainability
- stubborneager to learn
- For first-time owners
- for experienced ownersyes
- With strangers
- waryoutgoing
- Playfulness
- dignifiedeternal puppy
- Shedding
- minimalheavy
- Grooming
- easydemanding
- Being left alone
- strugglescopes well
- Apartment living
- needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
- Barking
- quietvocal
- With other dogs
- difficultgreat
- Protectiveness
- lowhigh
- Drooling
- hardly anya lot
- Cold tolerance
- feels the coldexcellent
- Heat tolerance
- strugglescopes well
Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits
Who is the Bolognese for?
The Bolognese is a great choice for seniors, city dwellers, first-time owners and allergy sufferers looking for a calm, affectionate apartment dog. It does well with someone who spends a lot of time at home and enjoys regular grooming. Do not choose it if you are away at work all day, want a running companion, or do not want to comb a coat every day.
Pros
- barely sheds
- calm and gentle
- ideal for apartments
- long-lived
Challenges
- coat needs frequent combing
- copes poorly with being alone
- shy with strangers
- prone to tartar
Size and looks
| Height at the withers | males 27–30 cm, females 25–28 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | males 2.5–4 kg, females 2.5–4 kg |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Coat | long |
| Colors | pure white (a slight ivory tint is allowed) |
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Classification | Group IX: Companion and Toy dogs |
| Also known as | Bichon Bolognese, Bolo |
Care and exercise
The Bolognese does not need much exercise: two or three short walks a day, about half an hour in total, plus play at home are enough. It likes learning tricks and responds to rewards, so short training sessions are a pleasure for it. Grooming, on the other hand, is demanding. The fluffy, flocked single coat does not shed, but it mats easily, so it needs combing down to the skin every day or every other day. A bath every few weeks keeps it white, and wiping around the eyes helps limit tear staining. Many owners choose a shorter, practical clip at the groomer. Brushing the teeth several times a week is good protection against tartar. The Bolognese copes badly with being alone, so get it used to staying alone gradually, starting with a few minutes.
How much should the Bolognese eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.Health and breed-related conditions
The Bolognese is a healthy, long-lived breed: the AKC gives 12–14 years, and in a British study the median was as high as 14.9 years, although the sample was small. The US breed club considers most Bolognese healthy, and responsible breeders screen breeding dogs for luxating patella and eye disease; recommended tests include a patella check, an eye exam and a DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-prcd). The UK Kennel Club recommends eye exams. As in most toy breeds, tartar and gum disease are a common problem, so get your dog used to tooth brushing from puppyhood. The white coat also means checking the skin, because irritation easily develops under mats.
- luxating patellaThe US breed club recommends a patella check for breeding dogs.
- eye diseases (including PRA-prcd)Eye exams and a DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy are recommended.
- periodontal diseaseAs in other toy breeds, tartar and gum disease are common.
Health tests to ask the breeder about
- patella check
- eye exam (ECVO)
- PRA-prcd DNA test
This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
Breed history
The Bolognese belongs to the old Bichon family. The FCI standard notes that its origins are linked to the Maltese, because the ancestors of both breeds were the small dogs Aristotle called canes melitenses. Bolognese dogs were known as early as Roman times and later became prized gifts at royal courts. Cosimo de' Medici gave eight of them to Belgian aristocrats, and King Philip II of Spain, thanking the Duke d'Este for two Bolognese, wrote that they were the most royal gift one could give an emperor. These dogs appear in paintings by Titian, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Goya. The name comes from Bologna, the city associated with breeding them.
Fun facts
- King Philip II of Spain called the Bolognese the most royal gift one could offer an emperor.
- Cosimo de' Medici gave as many as eight Bolognese to Belgian aristocrats.
- The FCI standard allows only white, with at most a slight ivory tint.
- The Bolognese coat falls in loose flocks and, according to the standard, never forms fringes.
Frequently asked questions
Do Bolognese dogs shed?
The Bolognese practically does not shed: it has no undercoat, and dead hair stays in the coat until you comb it out. That is why it is often recommended for allergy sufferers, though no dog is fully hypoallergenic. The price is frequent combing to keep the coat from matting.
What is the difference between a Bolognese and a Maltese?
Both are white and related, but the Maltese has long, straight, silky hair that falls to the ground, while the Bolognese has a fluffy coat in loose flocks that stands away from the body. The Bolognese is also usually calmer and more reserved with strangers.
How big do Bolognese dogs get?
Under the FCI standard, an adult Bolognese weighs 2.5–4 kg. Males stand 27–30 cm at the shoulder and females 25–28 cm. It is a square dog, with a body length equal to its height at the shoulder.
Can a Bolognese be left alone?
For short periods, yes, but it copes badly with long hours alone because it bonds so strongly with its owner. Start teaching it to stay alone in puppyhood and lengthen the time gradually. If you work away from home all day, arrange care for it.
How long does a Bolognese live?
The typical lifespan of the Bolognese is 12–15 years. Genetics, weight, exercise and regular preventive vet care all make a difference.
This breed also appears in
Sources
- 1FCI standard nr 196 – Bolognese (PDF)fci.be
- 2AKC – Bologneseakc.org
- 3Royal Kennel Club – Bologneseroyalkennelclub.com
- 4McMillan et al. 2024, Longevity of companion dog breeds (Scientific Reports)nature.com
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
