History: The Bolognese came from Bologna in Italy, and was known as early as the 11th and 12th centuries. They are thought to be descended from the Bichon family of Southern Italy and Malta. They enjoyed a lot of popularity with the ruling families and the nobility in the 1500’s as companion dogs.
Many historical and famous personalities have favoured the Bolognese, including Madame La Marquise Pompadour (1721-1764), Catherine the Great of Russia (1729-1796), Marie Therese Empress of Austria (1717-1780) and more recently Marilyn Monroe. Today the breed is still relatively rare in Britain and other countries throughout the world.
Class: Toy
Height: Males 10.5 – 12 inches (27 – 30 cm) Females 10 – 11 inches (25 – 28 cm)
Weight: 4.5 – 9 pounds (2.5 – 4 kg)
Lifespan: 9-14yrs
Coat: Is all white but some do have shadings of apricot on their ears. The coat is long in length. Bolognese are non shedding dogs and need grooming every day as the coat can soon become tangled.
Health: Generally a healthy dog.
Temperament and Exercise: The Bolognese are bright, intelligent, obedient little dogs. They develop a close bond with owners and this can lead in some to separation anxiety. Usually these adorable balls of white fluff get on well with children and children are drawn to them, although like any dog in the family, children have to be taught that the dog is not a toy and does need to have time out to rest, play and explore on its own. With other dogs they usually get on fine, whether at home or when out and about. Generally they are not yappy or aggressive dogs but will bark at anything that is unusual and they can be a little shy when meeting new visitors. Not a breed for long walks prefers a few short ones per day, but can also be happy and enjoy the freedom of a fenced garden to run and play in.