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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+7
Dogs
# The Bolognese: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Italy
A small Italian companion, gentle, faithful and elegant, dressed in an abundant white coat.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–14 yearsBudget ≈ €70/monthPuppy €500 – €1,000
[Find a breeder 2](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=bolognese)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Excellent
First-time owners Good
Other pets Excellent
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Limited
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He forms a close bond with his family and readily seeks their company.
- Suitable for apartment living: His small size and calm temperament make indoor life easier.
- Sociable: Well socialized, he generally gets along with children, dogs, and cats.
- Easy to train: His intelligence and obedience respond well to gentle and consistent methods.
- Does not tolerate being alone well: Prolonged absences can cause stress, vocalizations, or undesirable behaviors.
- Demanding grooming: Its long white coat requires several brushings per week and regular care.
- Tendency to gain weight: Portions and treats must be strictly controlled.
- Possible vocalizations: It may bark when it is bored, left alone, or reacting to noises.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Households with plenty of time: He thrives with present people who integrate him into their daily lives.
- Apartment living: He adapts to a limited space if his outings and social needs are met.
- Families with respectful children: His gentleness and sociability make him a pleasant companion under appropriate supervision.
- Calm owners: His calm temperament suits a regular lifestyle with daily walks.
Not recommended for
- People often absent: He has difficulty living alone for long days and requires a regular presence.
- Households without time for grooming: The lack of brushing quickly promotes knots and skin problems.
- People looking for a guard dog: His protective instinct is weak and his vocation remains companionship.
- Very sporty lifestyle: He enjoys moderate exercise but is not suited to intense or prolonged physical activities.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
28 cmBolognese
- Height at the withers
- 23–32 cm
- Weight
- 2–4 kg
- Coat
- Long, dense and silky
- FCI group
- 9
- Origin
- Italy
- Grooming
- High-maintenance coat
## Photos and videos
See the Bolognese in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The origins of the Bolognese Bichon partly overlap with those of the Maltese Bichon. Their ancestors are said to have been the small dogs called "canes melitenses" by Aristotle in the 4th century BC. Already appreciated under the Roman Empire, this companion dog long frequented wealthy families and European courts. It appears in works by Titian, Pieter Brueghel the Elder and Francisco de Goya. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale definitively recognized the breed on March 5, 1956, under standard number 196.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Bichon Bolognese is a small compact dog, cobby and square in outline. Its head of medium length has a slightly ovoid skull and a not very marked stop. Its fairly large, dark and not prominent eyes give it an attentive expression. Its long ears are set high and hanging. The back is straight, the loin short and solid, the chest ample and the tail, well furnished, curves over the back. Its coat is long over the whole body, dense, silky and shorter on the muzzle. The coat is pure white, with slight ivory shades permitted.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Naturally gentle, calm and very affectionate, the Bichon Bolognese shows itself to be deeply attached to its family. It is a little more reserved than some other bichons, but remains sociable, intelligent and able to adapt to people as well as to situations. It appreciates children, generally cohabits well with other dogs and cats, and willingly welcomes strangers when it has been properly socialized. Its guarding instinct is weak and its vocation is above all that of a companion dog.
Affectionate Intelligent Easy to train Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Bolognese Bichon seeks closeness to its owners and copes poorly with prolonged absences. Indoors, it is calm and adapts very well to an apartment as well as to a house. It nevertheless needs a daily walk, games and regular interactions to maintain its balance and limit weight gain. Its tendency to vocalize may appear when it is bored, left alone or senses unusual agitation.
Training
## Training and socialization
Calm, obedient and intelligent, the Bolognese Bichon generally learns easily. Early, consistent and kind training, combining gentleness, measured firmness and rewards, gives very good results. Socialization must gradually get it used to people, animals, noises and being alone. It is also advisable to work on recall, walking on a leash and calmness in order to prevent vocalizations and excessive attachment.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Bolognese
The price of a Bichon Bolonais varies depending on the quality of the breeding kennel, the pedigree, the screenings carried out on the breeding dogs, compliance with the standard and the puppy’s intended purpose. The breed’s relative rarity can also influence availability and waiting times.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bolognese/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Bolognese Bichon generally enjoys robust health when it receives regular care and remains protected from harsh weather conditions. Particular monitoring should focus on its kneecaps, its eyes, its weight and its oral hygiene. Choosing a breeder that carries out the useful screenings and an annual veterinary check-up helps to limit the risks.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bolognese/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
A complete diet intended for small-sized dogs is suitable for the Bichon Bolonais. It must be sufficiently digestible, adapted to its age and precisely measured in order to cover its needs without promoting overweight. Body condition, stool quality, coat and activity level serve as benchmarks to adjust the ration with the veterinarian.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bolognese/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Bichon Bolonais was depicted by several great European painters, including Titian, Pieter Brueghel the Elder and Francisco de Goya, a sign of the place it held among privileged families. Its calm and sociable temperament also allows it to be appreciated as a mediation dog with vulnerable or hospitalized people.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Bolognese
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Bolognese suitable for apartment living?
Yes. Calm and small in size, it adapts very well to apartment living if it benefits every day from walks, play, and regular contact with its family.
### Can the Bolognese stay alone for a long time?
No. Very attached to its owners, it does not cope well with prolonged absences. Gradual training to be alone is necessary, but this breed is better suited to an available household.
### Does the Bolognese shed a lot?
It sheds little, but its long coat requires careful brushing two to three times a week and occasional grooming to prevent knots and keep the coat clean.
### Is the Bolognese suitable for children and other animals?
It is generally gentle with children and sociable with other dogs or cats. Early socialization and respectful interactions, always supervised with young children, remain essential.
## Find a Bolognese breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Bolognese breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Bolognese breeders by country
[43 breeders of Bolognese in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/germany) [23 breeders of Bolognese in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/italy) [3 breeders of Bolognese in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/denmark) [3 breeders of Bolognese in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/finland) [3 breeders of Bolognese in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/netherlands) [2 breeders of Bolognese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese) [1 breeder of Bolognese in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/austria) [1 breeder of Bolognese in Hungary](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/hungary) [1 breeder of Bolognese in Romania](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/romania) [1 breeder of Bolognese in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese/spain)
[All breeders of Bolognese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese)
## Ready to welcome a Bolognese?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-bolognese)
## Discover other breeds
[Maltese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maltese)
[Bichon Frise
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bichon-frise)
[Havanese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/havanese)
[Coton de Tulear
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/coton-de-tulear)
[Little Lion Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/little-lion-dog)
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