History and Origins
Country of Origin: Italy
Probably descended from the bichon (small, white, fluffy) breeds of southern Italy and Malta the Bolognese was developed in Bologna, Italy and has been known since as early as the 11th and 12th centuries. Popular with ruling families and nobility having been owned by aristocrats such as Madame Pomadour, Louis XIV of France, Philip II of Spain an Catherine the Great of Russia, these dogs were commonly gifted as companion dogs between regions and countries. There is even talk of Bolognese dogs being routinely fed from solid gold bowls and even having servants!
Despite their enchanting personalities the Bolognese remains, as it always has been, a rare breed.
