Do Bolognese Dogs Shed? (What You Need to Know)

Bolognese (AKA Bichon Bolognese or Bolos) are a small breed of dog with a white, fluffy coat. They love people about as much as they love playing, and are nothing short of adorable.

What about shedding? Bolognese don’t shed much hair at all. No dog with hair is ever completely non-shedding, but Bolos are about as close to a non-shedding breed as they come. They’re also considered to be hypoallergenic which means they’re less likely to cause problems for allergy sufferers than a high shedding dog.

With that being said, they are a high maintenance breed when it comes to grooming, so you should expect to be spending some time brushing on a weekly basis.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at just how much hair Bolos lose, what they’re like to groom, and what makes these fluffy white dogs so amazing.

Do Bolognese Shed Much?

Bolognese dogs are a very low shedding breed.

So if you’ve been looking for a dog that won’t fill your home with hair, then you may have found the right breed. Like the Maltese and Havanese for example, they’re a bichon breed, which is a type of breed that is known for being low shedding.

They do lose some hair though, so they are not completely non-shedding as some claim. This is because it’s similar to human hair that eventually stops growing, falls out and new hair takes its place.

This is the natural hair growth cycle that virtually every dog goes through. It’s just that some breeds lose more hair than others during this process.

Another reason you’ll notice a lot less hair falling out throughout your home with a Bolo is that they have a single coat that doesn’t shed seasonally.

A single coat means they only have one coat, rather than a top coat and an undercoat. Dogs with a double coat, however, are prone to seasonal shedding. Which normally occurs during spring and fall, as they prepare for the change in weather. For example, breeds like the Leonberger and Great Pyrenees have thick, double coats that shed lots.

Thankfully this is not something you need to worry about with a Bolognese.

They’re also a very small breed. Which isn’t a determining factor in the rate of shedding they do, but given the size of their body, it does mean that there’s only so much hair that can fall out, versus a larger dog with more surface area.

Are Bolognese Hypoallergenic?

Bolognese are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed which means they’re less likely to upset your allergies than the average dog.

This isn’t just because they’re low shedding. The cause of the allergies come from the dog’s dander (dead flaky skin) and dried saliva, which attach themselves to their fur.

Which means that, the less hair they lose, the less allergy laden hair will find its way onto your furniture, clothes, car, floors and so on. So low shedding breeds, like the Bolo, are more hypoallergenic than heavy shedders.

But that doesn’t mean they won’t upset your allergies at all. Because all dogs have some level of dander on their coat which can become airborne, so no dog is ever 100% non-allergenic.

What Are They Like to Groom?

Bolos may not be heavy shedders, but they’re a very high maintenance breed to groom. They require regular brushing, preferably daily, to keep their coat in good shape.

And the reason for this is they have a medium length, soft, fluffy, woolly coat that is prone to matting and tangles. It’s also very easy for dirt and debris to get caught up in the coat when they go outside to play.

It’s not difficult to brush them, but it does take time and it is something you should plan on doing regularly. Brushing a few times per week is sufficient, but daily may be better depending on your dog.

The best type of brush to use is a pin brush, but you can also use a slicker brush as these work well together.

Start by brushing with a pin brush evenly over the coat to remove any loose hair, carefully work out any matts and get the bulk of brushing done. From there, you can optionally use a slicker brush to finish the job.

They are easier to brush than dogs with a thick undercoat. But given the fluffy texture of their coat it just takes time to maintain it.

Brushing is also the best way to keep as much hair as possible out of your home because you’re removing it from the source. The more hair you can remove before it falls out, the better. It also helps to distribute their coat oils over the skin, which promotes a healthier coat.

Other than brushing, regular grooming maintenance includes bathing, nail trimming and teeth cleaning. You can do this yourself but it’s a trade off. You will either be spending lots of time grooming or money hiring a professional groomer.

Should You Adopt a Bolo?

Bolos are a small dog that belongs to the toy group of dog breeds. They are calm and serene dogs that love human attention, so they’ll happily follow you around the home. And they love playing so will enjoy daily walks and runs in the park!

Where do they come from?

Bolos are an ancient breed that in early days were best known as the companions of wealthy, powerful people, including royalty. Their name, Bolognese, is derived from the Italian city of Bologna where they originate. Some refer to them as Bichon Bolognese given that they are a bichon breed, along with their relatives like the Maltese, or Bolo for short.

One thing to keep in mind is that they don’t like being left alone.

They do make good watchdogs, but they are known to bark excessively and anxiously chew on things, including themselves, if left alone for extended periods of time. So they’re probably not suited to someone who is away a lot or has to leave them during the day.

With that being said, if you want an adorable, family friendly dog that doesn’t shed, and don’t mind their high maintenance coat, then you will love the Bolognese.