Bolognese at a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height
- 25.5–30.5 cm
- Weight
- 3–5 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 12 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Energy, Garden.
Is the Bolognese right for you?
Like every breed, the Bolognese is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You live in a flat or smaller home: the breed often adapts well.
- This would be your first dog and you are ready to learn.
- You would enjoy training a dog that is usually eager to learn.
- You would like a dog usually content with short daily walks.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You have young children at home.
- You cannot commit to daily grooming.
- You would find barking hard to live with.
How would the Bolognese fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Bolognese
The Bolognese is a small, sturdy, square-built dog with a long white coat that falls in distinctive flocks: ruffled rather than curly. Dark pigmentation sets off the white coat, and the breed has great beauty and character in its head and expression. It is a true companion dog that bonds closely with its owner.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Small
A small dog.
- Exercise
Low
Usually content with short daily walks and play.
- Energy level
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Grooming
Daily
The coat usually needs brushing every day.
- Shedding
Low
Tends to shed little, though every dog sheds some hair.
- Trainability
High
Usually eager to learn and quick to pick things up.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Can be selective
Can be selective about other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Often
Often suits first-time owners.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The Bolognese belongs to the Bichon family, the small white breeds that became fashionable in Mediterranean countries. It takes its name from the northern Italian city of Bologna, where it first gained popularity. It probably descends from the bichon breeds of southern Italy and Malta, and it has been known since as early as the 11th and 12th centuries.
These dogs were popular with ruling families and nobility across Europe and were often given as gifts between regions and countries. Despite that history, the Bolognese has always been, and remains, a rare breed.
Bolognese temperament
Bolognese are usually devoted companions that bond closely with their owners and dislike being separated from the people they love. They are typically reserved with strangers and will bark to tell you about anything new, unusual or strange.
Behind the cuddly looks is an intelligent, bright dog and a quick learner. Training and play help keep that active mind engaged. Early socialisation helps these reserved little dogs feel confident and happy in all kinds of situations.
Size and appearance
The Bolognese is a small breed. Males typically stand 27–30.5 cm at the shoulder and females 25.5–28 cm, and adults weigh around 3–5 kg.
The coat is long and white, with a flocked, ruffled texture that is never curly. White is the breed standard colour, and for showing the coat is kept natural and untrimmed.
How much exercise does a Bolognese need?
The Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 30 minutes of exercise a day, although a Bolognese is more than capable of walking for an hour. For this breed, time spent with its owner matters most.
They are small enough to entertain in a decent-sized garden if needed, and small enough to carry if a walk turns out to be too long, which makes them easy to take almost anywhere.
Training a Bolognese
The Bolognese is easy to train using positive reinforcement, and it is a happier dog for having some training and mental stimulation alongside regular exercise.
- Use reward-based methods and keep sessions fun to engage their clever minds.
- Start socialisation early, so your puppy grows into a confident adult.
- Be patient with house training, as they can be slow to toilet train.
- Teach your Bolognese to cope with short spells alone, because it does not come naturally to them.
Bolognese grooming
The long coat tangles easily and needs combing every day, paying particular attention to the stomach, behind the ears and the legs. The Bolognese does not shed, so dead hair has to be removed by grooming.
The coat is easy to wash and dry. Getting your puppy used to a grooming table, baths and visits to a professional grooming salon will help keep it clean and white.
Living with a Bolognese
Bolognese are reserved little dogs, and younger children can easily mistake them for a toy. They usually suit quieter homes, families with older children, or retired couples and single people. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Can be selective about other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Often adapts to flats and smaller homes.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Often suits first-time owners.
Bolognese health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
The Bolognese is generally a healthy breed, with no widely recognised breed-specific health problems. The Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to prioritise genetic diversity, and it recommends eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme as part of best-practice health testing.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Bolognese home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Bolognese cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Bolognese home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Bolognese
If you have decided the Bolognese suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Bolognese
Bologneses do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Bologneses looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find Bolognese adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
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Bolognese FAQs
Is the Bolognese good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Bolognese live in a flat?
Often adapts to flats and smaller homes. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Bolognese need?
Low: usually content with short daily walks. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Bolognese shed?
Tends to shed little.
How much grooming does the Bolognese need?
Typically: daily.
Is the Bolognese easy to train?
Usually eager to learn. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Bolognese be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Bolognese bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Bolognese good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Bolognese live?
Typically from 12 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Bolognese get?
Adults typically stand 25.5–30.5 cm at the shoulder and weigh 3–5 kg.