Description of the Bolognese

The Bolognese have a very distinctive coat. Their odorless and non-shedding qualities make them a wonderful choice for allergy sufferers.

The coat of the Bolognese is actually a double-coat.The under-coat is cottony, while the outer coat is longer, glossy, and curly. Both the under-coat and the outer-coats are soft.

The hair of the Bolognese is long. Its soft, fluffy ringlets cover the entire body without laying flat against the body.

The Bolognese coat is always presented at its natural length in the show-ring. The only cutting of hair is for neatening around the feet and for hygenic purposes. However, trimming between the pads of the feet and inside the ears is advisable to avoid picking up debris from the ground and from plants when accompanying their humans outside.

Like all white dogs, especially those with long hair, a bit more grooming is necessary for the Bolognese.  Daily brushing is recommended for their traditional lengthy locks to avoid tangling and matting. Grooming must also include regular bathing, eye and ear hygiene,and teeth cleaning.

The Bolognese face is accented by a black, button nose, black lips, and very dark eyes that have the expression of a lively, intelligent dog. Their eyes are particularly appealing. They are set almost on a frontal plane, are well-opened, and somewhat larger than normal in size. The eyes are dark and round with very dark halo rims. These dark eye rims give an even larger appearance to their eyes.

The Bolognese tail is well-feathered with softwhite hair. It is carried curved over the end of the back.

The Bolognese possess acute hearing and eyesight.  They take notice of anything unusual and faithfully notify their owners. While they are not incessant barkers, they are true watch dogs.