Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Bolognese is an ancient decorative breed that traces its ancestry to small Bolognese and French Bichon-type dogs brought to Europe during the Renaissance. In Russia, it became especially popular in the 18th–19th centuries as a favorite companion of nobility and court ladies, admired for its compact size, gentle temperament, and beautiful coat. Over time, the Bolognese established itself as a companion breed, preserving the traits of classic ornamental dogs. Today it is recognized as a national treasure and remains a beloved urban and family companion.
General Appearance
The Bolognese is a small decorative dog of square format and harmonious proportions, with a refined yet strong constitution. The coat is dense, long, slightly wavy or curly, covering the entire body and emphasizing its ornamental appearance. The head is proportionate to the body, with expressive eyes and a gentle expression. The ears are pendulous and framed with long hair. The tail is carried curled over the back. Movements are light, free, and elegant. The entire appearance reflects its decorative purpose and friendly disposition.
Important Proportions
The Bolognese has a square body format: the length from shoulder to ischial tuberosity equals the height at the withers. The head is in balance with the body, its length approximately one-third of the body length. The muzzle is shorter than the skull in a ratio of about 2:3. Chest depth equals half the height at the withers, and elbow height is half of the dog’s total height. The tail curled over the back accentuates the compact silhouette. Proportions must provide harmony and freedom of movement without heaviness or fragility.
Behavior and Temperament
The Bolognese is affectionate, gentle, and well-balanced in temperament. Deeply devoted to its owner, it enjoys human interaction and easily adapts to family life. The breed is non-aggressive, friendly toward children and other pets. Despite its soft nature, it is lively and energetic during play but calm and unobtrusive at home. Intelligent and quick to learn, it responds well to training and retains alert, watchful instincts, often signaling strangers with a clear, ringing bark.
Head
The head is of medium size, proportionate to the body, with harmonious outlines and a slightly rounded skull. The forehead is broad; the stop is well defined but not abrupt. The occiput is not prominent. Facial lines are smooth and balanced, giving an overall impression of refinement. The head must not appear heavy or overly delicate; its shape enhances the breed’s decorative quality and correct proportions.
Facial Region
The muzzle is short, straight, and tapers slightly toward the black nose with well-developed nostrils. Lips are dry, tight-fitting, and without folds. Cheeks are smooth and rounded, not prominent. The jaws are strong with white, even teeth and a correct scissor bite. The facial region should harmonize with the skull, avoiding coarseness or excessive narrowing.
Eyes
The eyes are large, round, set slightly obliquely but not protruding. The expression is lively, intelligent, and gentle, reflecting the breed’s kind disposition. Eye color is dark — the darker, the better. Eyelids are tight-fitting and fully pigmented. Light eyes, cross-eyes, excessive prominence, or narrow openings are faults. The eyes should create a balanced and expressive appearance.
Ears
The ears are pendulous, triangular, set at or slightly above eye level. They lie close to the cheeks and should not be lifted or short. The tips are rounded, covered with long, silky hair forming decorative fringes that accentuate the expressiveness of the head. Ear length must correspond harmoniously to head size. Incorrect ear placement or excessively light ears are considered faults.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, elegant, dry, and well defined, flowing smoothly into the body. It is set high, giving the breed a proud and graceful posture. The skin is fine, without wrinkles; muscles are moderately developed. The neck should be strong enough not to appear fragile, yet light and well balanced. A short, long, or low-set neck is undesirable.
Body
The body is compact and square, solid but not coarse. The back is straight and firm; the loin short and slightly arched; the croup rounded. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, ribs well sprung but not barrel-shaped. The abdomen is moderately tucked up, accentuating the dog’s elegance. The overall body impression must be one of harmony and proportion, reflecting the breed’s ornamental purpose.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, set high, carried in a ring or sickle shape over the back. It is richly covered with long, thick hair forming a soft plume. In movement, the tail is lively but should not hang down or appear stiff or too short. A straight, low-set, or incorrectly carried tail is considered a fault.
Forequarters
The forelegs are straight, parallel, with fine but firm bone and well-developed joints. Shoulders are long and sloping, forming the correct angle with the upper arm. Elbows are close to the body, neither turning in nor out. Pasterns are short and slightly resilient. Feet are small, round, and compact, with strong nails and elastic pads. Incorrect leg alignment or weak structure is undesirable.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are strong, muscular, and parallel when viewed from behind. Thighs are of medium length and firm; stifles well angulated and harmoniously constructed, providing smooth and light movement. Hocks are strong, well defined, and low set. Feet are compact, rounded, with firm pads and strong nails. Straight angulation, cow-hocked or sickle-hocked stance are faults.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the Bolognese is light, lively, and free, with good reach in front and active drive from the rear. Movements are confident, balanced, and rhythmic. The topline remains stable and straight even at a brisk pace. The gait should convey elegance and energy, reflecting the breed’s lively temperament. Stiffness, weakness, or lack of coordination are faults.
Coat and Colors
The coat is long, dense, soft, with a wavy or curly structure evenly covering the body. The undercoat is well developed. The coat should never form heavy cords. Acceptable colors include pure white, black, gray, cream, apricot, chocolate, sable, and their shades. Spotted or irregular markings are faults. The coat is the breed’s most important feature, requiring careful maintenance.
Size
The Bolognese is a small-sized dog. Height at the withers for both males and females ranges from 23 to 27 cm. Weight varies from 2.5 to 4.5 kg. Males are generally more solid and expressive; females more delicate but never fragile. Dogs outside the height and weight limits or with weak bone are not accepted.
Faults
In the ICCF system, faults include any deviation from the described standard that, while not harmful to health, affects the breed’s general type or expression. These include slightly elongated or shortened body, weak topline, insufficient chest depth, or overly high loin. Faults in coat such as sparse hair, coarse or overly soft texture, or poor grooming are penalized. Head faults include narrow or long skull, muzzle too short or long, light nose pigmentation, pale eyes, or loose eyelids. Limb faults include weak angulation, turned elbows, flat or splayed feet. The severity of faults is assessed in proportion to their impact on breed type.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations that distort the breed type or endanger health. These include aggression, extreme shyness, or lack of typical expression. Absence of nose pigmentation, blue or heterochromatic eyes, cross-eyes, or deformed eyelids are disqualifying. Incorrect bites such as overshot, undershot, or missing multiple teeth beyond the standard allowance are not permitted. Cropped ears or tails, or any cosmetic surgery other than medical necessity, are strictly forbidden. Albinism, nonstandard colors, large white patches on colored dogs, short or harsh coats, or any other coat type inconsistent with the standard result in disqualification. Dogs exceeding height or weight limits or with anatomical deformities of the skeletal system are also disqualified.
Important Notes
In the ICCF system, the Bolognese is classified as a decorative companion breed. Emphasis is placed on maintaining typical traits: compact body, quality coat, and gentle, sociable temperament. Evaluation at shows must consider health, cleanliness, coat condition, proportion, and standard conformity. Dogs showing neglect, emaciation, or obesity cannot be exhibited or bred. Genetic diversity must be preserved through careful pair selection and avoidance of close inbreeding. Health checks and the elimination of hereditary diseases are essential. A stable temperament consistent with the breed’s friendly nature is required.
Conclusion
According to ICCF standards, the Bolognese is a harmonious decorative breed combining elegant appearance, expressive coat, and a kind disposition that make it an ideal companion. Participation in shows and breeding is permitted only for dogs fully conforming to the standard, possessing official ICCF pedigree documents and registered identification. Lack of valid documentation or disqualifying traits excludes the dog from ICCF programs. Maintaining purity, health, and structural quality of the breed is ensured only through adherence to ICCF rules. The Bolognese, as recognized by ICCF, remains a jewel of decorative breeds and a symbol of refined companionship worldwide.
