Bolognese dogs are good - natured pups that do n’t shed much and are great with minor and other pets . Learn more about what makes this rare , soft breed so lovable .

Bolognese dogs were status symbol during the Renaissance , gifted between European nobility . These fluffy white wienerwurst were adore for their beauty and loyalty — so much so that the likeness of the Italian Bolognese come along in art from the epoch . Now , centuries by and by , Bolognese dogs , also known as " Bolos , " stay a dear ( albeit rare ) strain that can flourish in just about any menage , as long as she has ample time with her humans .

" engender as a companion hotdog , the Bolognese is affectionate , people - orient , and good - natured , " tell Jen Jones , a professional dog flight simulator and behavior specialist who runsYour Dog Advisor . " This dogdoes well with familiesand other pet , though she can stick out from separation anxiety if left alone too long . For this rationality , she is best suited for category and owners with flexible schedules . "

bolognese dog on picnic table

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Appearance

With gentle , slightly tufted coats , Bolognese dogs finger — and look — like fluffy cotton clod when they nuzzle up on your lap covering ( which , by the way , is one of their favorite seat to be ! ) . Whileno dog is entirely hypoallergenic , Bolos do tend to wear foresightful and wavy coats thatdon’t shed much , which can make these dogs ideal pet for modest allergy sufferers .

Their unshaped pelage are clean or ivory . According to theAmerican Bolognese Club ( ABC ) , many families keep their pets in a shorter coat and leave an uncut " mop foreland " ( much like Einstein ’s indocile hair ! ) . But more even grooming is need if the Bolognese wear a full coat , according to the club .

Bolognese are diminished dogswith thickset , square bodies that weigh between 5.5–9 British pound sterling and are 10–12 column inch tall . They ’re occasionally confused for theMaltese ; the Canis familiaris are near doppelgängers because of their like small stature , flowing white locks , and soft demeanor . Bolos , though , are slightly larger than their Maltese cousins , and their unshaped coats can give them a shade of an freaky flavor .

owner holding a fluffy bolognese dog outside in a field

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Other characteristics that define the noble Bolognese dogs include round , mordant eyes ; a black gumdrop nose ; black nail ; and a feather tail that curls up over their backs .

Temperament

Bolognese dogstend to be quite serene , according to the ABC . They are playful , easygoing , and solemn .

" The Bolognese is a lovebug and a family hot dog that enjoys spend clock time with his or her phratry , " saysNicole Ellis , CPDT - KA , best-loved lifestyle expert with Rover . " They ’re avery healthy small breedthat loves to learn and can also quieten down to cuddle . "

While Bolos are loyal to their family , according to the ABC , they can also be passably reserved and shy . But withearly socialization , a Bolognese pup will rise to warm up up to stranger .

bolognese puppy sitting in grass with a red leash

Claudia Naerdemann / Shutterstock

An cordial strain , the Bolognese have along well with most other household petsas well as child . But , as with all breeds , child and Bolos should be monitor while spiel — these small - cram dogs ca n’t withstand an enthusiastic baby ’s bear hugs or rough - housing .

Living Needs

Bolognese dogs were multiply for companionship and are happiest when they ’re with their man , whether it ’s trot around the block together or cuddling up on the sofa . The Bolognese frump breed is one that ’s best suited for retirees or a household where at least one favorite parent act upon from home .

To put it another way of life ? Your Bolo does n’t like to fly solo .

" Bolognese are calm but close with a playful and leisurely side , " say Michelle Burch , DVM atSafe Hounds Pet Insurance . " These blackguard have a go at it hoi polloi , resulting in detachment anxiety if left alone for long periods . "

Signs of breakup anxiety can include behaviors such asnonstop barkingand howling , chewing up your rugs , intense pacing , or have fortuity and go potty in the home . So verify you give your Bolognese the pats , nestle , and tone prison term she merit !

As a in general calm strain , Bolos canfare just delicately in an apartment , so long as they have moderate exercise architectural plan , according to the ABC .

Care

Their pelt may front casual and a shade wild , but all that frivolity is hard to conserve ! Bolognese cad — know for their cushy , all - livid coat — will needoccasional bathsto keep theirpristine blank furlooking knifelike . These dogs havewavy , long coatsthat involve to bebrushed at least a few meter a hebdomad . If you keep your Bolognese in her full coat ( alternatively of a 1 - in short coating ) , you ’ll call for more frequent trips to the groomer . But no matter the expressive style of coating she get into , a Bolognese require to have the hair around her eyes regularly bring down .

In addition to maintaining your Bolo ’s all - blank pelage , other care routines to keep her in tip - top form let in dailyteeth brush , regularnail trimmings , frequentear cleansing , andhigh - calibre click intellectual nourishment .

Because Bolos have intercourse their mass so much , they ’ll enjoytraining with positivistic reinforcementas a way to bond with their human being . One thing to remember : These dog are highly level-headed and self-willed , so they ’re pretty darn full at count on out how to get what they want from their human being , Ellis enunciate .

" education from an other age can help you both put off on the good manus , " she say .

As far as exercise goes , Bolognese detent are n’t survival athletes . But theywill enjoy a curt walkon a day-by-day or twice - a - twenty-four hours foundation , according to theBolognese Dog Club UK . Walks do n’t demand to be too foresightful in continuance — about 30 minutes of usage a daylight will do , plus some playtime , too .

Health

In general , Bolognese dogs orbit healthy breedwith lifespans of 12–14 years .

Luxating patellasis a wellness status these dogs may be prone to , fit in to the ABC . This condition takes place when your dog ’s kneecap dislocates and moves out of its distinctive location . Oftentimes , dogs with this condition will change how they walk , hopping on a pegleg or stretching out their branch trying to adapt the kneepan . Luxating patellas are a innate condition , which mean your dog is born with the health effect and it tends to be more common amongtoy breeds . In serious casing , surgical procedure may be needed to give the kneecap more stability .

Bolognese wienerwurst remain a somewhat rare stock in the United States , so prospective pet proprietor should be extra conservative when it comes to finding a reputable breeder who has a cartroad disc of producing goodish Bolognese puppy litters .

History

While Bolognese dogs are a rare breed , these bewitching pups originated in Bologna , Italy , and have been around for more than 2,000 years , according to the ABC .

During the Renaissance , Italian nobility gifted Bolognese puppies to each other , and these small dogs were view a symbol of wealth . Their adoring fans include Spanish King Phillip II and Empress of Russia Catherine the Great .

Despite the adoration for the breed , the Bolognese almost go extinct as European aristocracy declined . But , agree to the ABC , a diminished group of breed enthusiasts saved the dogs from die out and the Bolognese was accept into the American Kennel Club ’s Foundation Stock Service in 1999 .

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