Dog Breed

Bolognese

Fits in your backpackCouch PotatoHypoallergenic
Primary image of Bolognese dog breed
Full Name
Bolognese
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Life Span
12 – 14 years
Weight
6 - 9 pounds
Description

Very responsive to obedience training. They are highly intelligent, quick to learn, and easy to train, but can be very stubborn when they don't get their way. They also do not have high energy levels and would be fine with a couple of short daily walks. They also shed very little and have a hypoallergenic coat. They can be reserved with other dogs but are generally friendly with new people who they meet. Because of their calm demeanor yet willingness to please, the Bolognese can be an excellent dog for a first-time owner.

Origin
Italy
Bred For
Companionship
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Bolognese good with children?

    The Bolognese is about average in how friendly they are with children. They can be friendly and loving with children, but we recommend that they get early socialization, and are not left alone with children for extended periods.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Bolognese friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Bolognese is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Bolognese is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Bolognese friendly with other dogs?

    The Bolognese is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Bolognese like to cuddle?

    The Bolognese likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Bolognese like to play?

    The Bolognese is playful both as a puppy and as an adult dog. As they get older they may appreciate their alone time, and may not be in the mood for constant play, but certainly will have plenty of time for play as well.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Bolognese make a good service dog?

    The Bolognese is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Bolognese good for first-time owners?

    The Bolognese is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Bolognese be trained?

    The Bolognese can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Bolognese can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Bolognese shed a lot?

    No! The Bolognese does not shed very much, and can be an excellent fit for someone who suffers from dog allergies.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Bolognese easy to groom?

    The Bolognese requires a good amount of grooming work. It is possible to do it yourself, but you need to plan on dedicating weekly grooming sessions at the minimum.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Bolognese need a lot of exercise?

    The Bolognese is a bit of a couch potato and although some exercise is still healthy, they need very little exercise relative to other dog breeds.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Bolognese?

    The Bolognese is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Bolognese bark? Does the Bolognese bark too much?

    The Bolognese barks very little compared to other dog breeds. This is excellent for apartment living and is very convenient for travel and otherwise when you are out in public.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Bolognese a good guard dog?

    The Bolognese is the opposite of a guard dog!
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Bolognese good at staying alone? Is the Bolognese independent?

    The Bolognese prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Bolognese still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Bolognese a good apartment dog?

    The Bolognese is an excellent dog breed for an apartment. Some daily exercise is still important, but if they get that then the apartment will be more than enough for them to call home.
    Size

    How big is the Bolognese?

    The Bolognese is one of the smallest dog breeds- suited well for apartment living and very convenient for travel.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Bolognese tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Bolognese?

    The Bolognese can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Bolognese tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Bolognese?

    The Bolognese can tolerate some cold, but should not be over-exposed to cold weather. In general, they can live in cold weather climates, but may need clothing on particularly cold evenings or in snow.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Bolognese try to run away?

    The Bolognese does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Bolognese a healthy dog? The health of a Bolognese should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Bolognese is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Bolognese?

    The Bolognese has some energy and requires daily walks, but overall the Bolognese has less energy than average.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Bolognese drool?

    The Bolognese does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Bolognese have a large prey drive? Does the Bolognese like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Bolognese has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
    Athleticism

    Is the Bolognese atheltic?

    The Bolognese may not be the fastest or strongest out of all the dog breeds, but that is not always a bad thing. In fact, for most modern homes, this can be convenient as the Bolognese can be less demanding when it comes to exercise needs.
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  • Thumbnail image 0 of Bolognese dog breed
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  1. Toy
  2. Bichon
  3. Bolognese
The Bolognese is a purebred dog that belongs to the Bichon sub group, which falls under the larger Toy dog breed group.
Toy group: Toy dogs are primarily characterized by their very small size. But don't let that fool you- if anything their personality and tenacity is higher than the average dog. In fact, even their protective instincts are above average! In fact, because of that it is crucial they get socialization with children and other dogs from an early age. Perhaps out of all dog groups, the toy dog group is the most difficult to put sub-groups into, since the sub groups also include larger dogs, and fall under other groupings. For example, the Pomeranian is a Toy Spitz dog, but there are also large Spitz dogs such as the Samoyed. Because the toy dog is both small and primarily bred for home companionship, they make excellent additions for a wide range of families. There are also practical benefits with toy dogs- they are great for apartment living, and traveling. Toy dogs are also loyal and love to cuddle, making them the ideal lap dog.
Bichon sub-group: Bichons are typically small white dogs that were previously known as Barbichon dogs. Bichon's are a very ancient dog breed, and originate from Spain, presumably from the Canary Islands. It wasn't until the 13th century that they started being associated with royalty... a reputation that still holds today! Bichons need to be frequently groomed, but the result will be an absolutely royal looking dog. Bichons have a hypoallergenic coat, which is smooth to the touch, making them even more of a perfect lap dog. Bichons are adaptable and friendly with children and dogs. They are focused and proud, so can make decent guard dogs. They are the ideal city dogs because of their size, confidence, and swag. On top of all of this, the Bichon can be trained fairly easily, making them an excellent option for first time dog owners.

Bologneses for adoption

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