Bolognese
A small white companion breed from Bologna, quieter and calmer than most of its bichon relatives. Very low shedding but high grooming needs, and a strong preference for constant human company.
- Weight
- 2.5–4 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
The Bolognese comes from the Italian city of Bologna, where it lived as an indoor companion in noble households. It shares ancestry with the Maltese, Bichon Frise and Havanese, but differs in tempo. Bolognese tend to be watchful and reserved rather than bouncy: many will pause and assess a stranger instead of rushing over.
That calm is the main reason people choose the breed, and it is also why early socialisation matters — a Bolognese that meets few people as a puppy can settle into genuine shyness.
Exercise and play
Exercise needs are low. Two walks of fifteen to twenty minutes plus a short indoor game or scent puzzle will do. Low exercise is not the same as low stimulation, though.
A dog that rarely leaves the flat becomes reactive to hallway noise and doorbells, so treat walks as exposure and keep the world coming to the dog in small, positive doses.
Coat and everyday care
The coat is white and grows in soft, flocked locks over the whole body. Shedding is minimal — good news for allergies and for upholstery — but the coat mats reliably without attention. A few minutes of brushing every day and a groomer every four to eight weeks is the realistic routine.
Tear staining shows on white hair, so keep the hair around the eyes short and wipe the area daily.
Before bringing this dog home
The thing to be honest with yourself about is time alone. This breed was created to sit beside people, and separation anxiety is common when an eight-hour workday arrives without preparation. Build absences up gradually from the first week home.
Health topics worth discussing with a breeder are patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, and the dental disease that affects nearly all small breeds. The Bolognese is also genuinely uncommon, so expect a wait list and be prepared to travel to a breeder who health-tests rather than buying whatever is nearby.
Home environment and care planning
In a flat the breed is an easy fit: small, quiet by toy-dog standards, and undemanding on exercise. Put rugs on slippery floors to protect the knees, dry the coat all the way to the skin after baths, and keep a shorter clip through humid weather to reduce skin problems.