Bolognese

These toy companion dogs are extremely affectionate towards their owners. This cute little breed will happily spend an afternoon cuddling up on the sofa. They really appreciate cuddles and strokes. They make long-term, loving companions.

Like most Toy breeds, the Bolognese Bichon loves playing. These fun-loving dogs will keep you entertained for hours. They also tend to retain their playful natures well into their senior years.

These dogs have plenty of energy and can sometimes get a bit overexcited. However, they're nowhere near as hyperactive as some of their toy dog cousins. The Bolognese Bichon will happily start winding down once playtime is over.

Toy dogs are not known for their intelligence. Most "smart" dogs were breed from mixing various working dogs with high levels of natural intelligence. The Bolognese Bichon evolved from a different line of companion dogs and so weren't exposed to more intelligent bloodlines.

Bolognese Bichons have a low-prey drive and will rarely display any of the behaviours associated with “hunting” breeds. This makes them ideal for families with cats or other domestic pets. It also means they have more modest exercise requirements.

They can be a bit shy around “new” people, although a well socialised Bolognese Bichon will soon overcome their natural shyness. But they do have a tendency to "stick to their own," preferring the company of their owners rather than people they don't know very well.

Companion dogs are highly social animals and shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. If so, they're likely to start “acting” out. This can include destructive behaviour, accidents around the house, and excessive barking.

Bolognese Bichons need lots of company. Prolonged periods of solitude will have a very negative impact on their mental health. Make sure someone is at home with them most of the time. If not, your Bichon will need a doggy brother or sister.

These dogs respond well to training, although they will soon grow bored if the sessions are too long, too repetitive, or too complex. Focus on short, fun training sessions and stick to basic dog obedience commands. Anything more than that will probably be beyond the dog's capabilities, and they'll soon lose focus.

Many toy dogs have a reputation for being a bit yappy. Luckily, the Bolognese Bichon is much more reserved than some of its toy relatives.

A Bolognese Bichon has a very low "flight" risk. First of all, they lack the innate prey-drive and tracking desires of other dogs. So they're much less likely to run off in search of an adventure. Secondly, they ‘re not a particularly athletic breed. In other words, they're short legs and tiny bodies are unlikely to get them very far.