Bolognese

Everyday life

Britain’s Royal Kennel Club places the Bolognese in an exercise category of up to 30 minutes a day. This is a broad guide for adult dogs, rather than a limit on every walk. Age, fitness, weather and enjoyment of exercise should help you decide how long your outings are. A small dog still wants to sniff, explore new routes and go outside to toilet. A flat can suit a Bolognese when these outings are a reliable part of life.

At home, a hidden toy and short training sessions can add variety. You should reward the behaviour you want as it happens, such as responding to a name or settling on a bed. A quiet setting makes a new task easier to learn. Several short sessions usually fit into everyday life more comfortably than one long lesson.

That close attachment to people also matters when arranging care. Time alone should be introduced gradually, and regular longer absences need dependable care arrangements. Repeated panting, pacing or prolonged barking when you leave should prompt veterinary advice and, where needed, help from a qualified behaviour professional. Leaving an already distressed dog for longer in the hope it will get used to being alone is unlikely to help.

Everyday dog training: recall, a loose lead and clear communication ↗

Day-to-day care

The white coat falls in loose, flocked strands. The Bolognese has no undercoat, the additional dense layer of hair beneath the longer coat. Even so, the hair can become tightly matted. Gentle daily brushing and combing help prevent small tangles turning into solid mats. The hair behind the ears, beneath a harness and between the legs needs attention too. Smoothing only the back will miss these areas.

A professional groomer can show you which brush and comb suit the coat and how to work through small sections down to the skin without pulling. Tight mats need professional attention. They can tug on the skin and cannot be brushed out painlessly by using more force. The coat should be free of tangles before a bath. Dog shampoo is suitable for bathing and should be rinsed out thoroughly.

Eyes, ears, nails and teeth also need regular attention. New eye redness, repeated head shaking or an unusual smell from an ear should be checked by a vet. A dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste are useful for dental care. Brushing should be introduced gradually and ideally done every day. Low shedding does not protect against dog allergies: allergens can be present in skin flakes and saliva, among other sources.

Size and build

The Bolognese belongs to the Bichon family, alongside breeds including the Maltese, Havanese and Bichon Frise. These related small companion dogs are distinct breeds. The international standard associates the Bolognese with Italy, particularly Bologna. Small white dogs of this type were kept in aristocratic households and exchanged as valuable gifts over centuries. Their role as close companions has a long history.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale, or FCI, describes the Bolognese in Standard No. 196 as a compact dog with a body roughly as long as it is tall. Males should stand 27 to 30 cm at the shoulder and females 25 to 28 cm. The stated weight range is 2.5 to 4 kg. Drop ears, a tail curving over the back and a long white coat with shorter hair on the muzzle are part of its appearance. These figures describe the breeding ideal. They should not be used to force a healthy dog towards a particular weight without considering its body condition.

From puppy to senior: caring for your dog through every life stage ↗