This breed was developed centuries ago in Bologna, Italy. They were already valued there as early as the 11^th and 12^th century, according to paintings and literature, going back to that time. Some of the history of this toy breed has been lost in the mists of time, often confused with the Maltese, because it's distant ancestors are the same dogs mentioned in Latin by Aristotle (322-384 B.C.)  under the denomination of "canes melitenses". It is of the Bichon group which include 10 different breeds, some of the more well known being, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Lowchen,  and more rarely known the Bolognese,  the Havanese and the Coton de Tulear, all of which are now shown in this country. These days the Bolognese are rare even in their homeland.

Many little Bolognese were much valued as very special gifts, during the renaissance they were favourites of the courts and nobility. Cosimo de Medici gave eight to Brussels as gifts to Belgian noblemen, and even to day, Belgian bloodlines of Bolognese show first class breeding results as in the case of the famous little dog, "Eliane" who was the 1981 World Champion.

The Duke d'Este gave two to King Philip 11 of Spain, who in return wrote a letter to him saying "that these two little dogs are the most royal gifts one can make to an Emperor". Ex King Umberto gave two to his fiancée Princess Marie Jose of Belgium on her birthday. Other well known owners were Catherine the Great of Russia (1729-1796), Madame De Pompadur (1721-1764), and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, who loved her little dog so much that at the time of its death, engaged the services of a well known taxidermist to preserve and mount the little dog, so it would be with her always. The body can still be seen today at the Natural Museum of History in Vienna. As time passed and the nobility passed as such, the Bolognese became street dogs, close to extinction.

Bolognese can be seen in tapestry work produced by Flemish craftsmen dating as far back as the 17^th century.  The Duke Frederico Gonzaga was painted caressing his Bolognese by the Venetian painter Titian, born in 1477. The breed features also in paintings by Goya, Bosse, Wattenau and noticeably hasn't changed much at all over the years.

The breed was restored in the early 1970's both in Italy and in Belgium. Senora Adele Walchaertz, a Belgian woman living in Massaroas, Italy, fell in love with the breed after she was given a beautiful Bolognese puppy for her birthday in  1973, which her husband called ‘Leone Fiammingo'. Subsequently she studied and bred the Bolognese, which she clearly adored, determined that the breed should not die out, and that they should be considered a ‘classic' dog. She keeps the name ‘Leone Fiammingo' today as her kennel name.

Gian Franco Giannelli of Italy, who loved the breed, has restored it to its present day popularity. He loved the breed so much he wrote the only book dedicated to the breed,
'Il Bolognese e Il Bichon a poil Frise' - and within it points out the differences between the Bolognese and the Bichon Frise. His San Milliano Bolognese are now well known around the world today.

In Belgium, Mme. Gerda Vansteenkiste revived the Bolognese breed, and restored its popularity in the surrounding countries. She has shown several Bolognese and campaigned to make ‘Eliane' the world champion, still reputed to be the most prestigious of all time. ‘Eliane‘ subsequently produced a world champion daughter ‘Iris de Chaponay', and a European champion son ‘Happy de Chaponay'. The line continues today in Belgium at her cousin's Van Het Vogelpark Kennel, now that Mme. Vansteenkiste herself has  retired, and these lines are extremely successful in the European show ring today.

There are now reputed to be well over 33 kennels of Bolognese in Russia and Germany, Erika Fassot of the famous ‘Ajaccio' kennel of Germany has been breeding successfully  for 20 years. Her daughter Sandra Block follows in her mother's footsteps with her own ‘Sandra's' kennel. The breed is also shown in Holland, where the formerly mentioned lines have been married to the Belgian lines by Leone Buitenhuis at her ‘Lierenhof' Kennel in Freisland, to produce champion dogs of distinct form and character.

Mme Kriegel was the first in France to import Bolognese from Italy, the dogs were purchased from Adele Walschaertz of the ‘Del Leone Fiammingo' kennel. Some of her stock was given to M. Wissocq of the ‘Notre Dame de la Source' Kennel, and they continue to be bred today at their lovely home near Lille, France. Some of his little dogs spend the day running around the grounds of his farm and are both hardy and happy accompanying him during his work. His sentiments are shown in the way that his Bolognese are integrated into the family, particularly when socialising in the reception and large kitchen of the house, always stealing the limelight.

In 1988 Pernilla Glumstrand of the "Voila" kennel was the first to import into Sweden, this was a bitch from Denmark named "Jabir's Bo-Blanc Aekviva". She followed this importation in 1991 with another female from France named "Elsa de Kalfrety", who was later bred to the German male "Fabrice V Weiben Kindertraum" producing "Nordic Ch. Voila Amore Mio" (NW-92, SW92/93, Copenhagen Winner 94). Nowadays Ms Glumstrand is successfully breeding Havanese and has handed the breeding of the Bolognese to Laila Bergman of the" Puzinuz" Kennel also in Sweden.

At about the same time as the Bolognese were imported into Great Britain, Dorothy & Bert Goodale of the "Berdot Kennels" were importing the first ones into America, and eventually became the founders of the Bolognese Club of America.

On 19^th November 1988 the first litter of Bolognese, were registered at the Kennel Club of Great Britain by Mr J. W. Ogilvie, who had seen the Bolognese whilst on holiday in Europe, and decided to import into England the first two Bolognese from Italy bred by Adele Walschaertz of the ‘Del Leone Fiammingo' Kennel. In total Mr Ogilvie bred 8 litters under his ‘Camboalto' Kennel name, and since has bred no more.

Mrs Liz Stannard of the ‘Shiarita' Kennels, bought two Bolognese bitches from Mr Ogilvie. Then in 1990 imported a bitch from the Danish, ‘Jabir's Bo-Blanc' Kennels owned by Jan & Birte Warming these dogs were her foundation stock.

In 1993 at the Darlington Championship Show UK, there were the grand total of 7 Bolognese entered this was a great success. A picture of this momentous occasion has been inserted. This historic day was attended by Liz Stannard, Janice Evenden 'Kashima' on the back row. Gina and Martin Taylor 'Fabio Barbara Andrews 'Chinensis', and Margaret Lambton 'Villanova' with her daughter. All of these were some of the first breeders and exhibitors of the Bolognese in the UK. All campaigning and promoting the Bolognese around the UK in the early days, educating people about this special breed.

As well as those named above another one of the first Bolognese breeders/exhibitors in the UK were Mr C & Mrs B Benerson of the ‘Tammylan' Kennel who imported a pair in 1991. A French female from Mme. Wissocq of the De La Source Notre Dame Kennels, and a Dutch male from the  ‘Lierenhof' Kennels owned by L Buitenhuis, the next year they imported two Belgian bitches, from the ‘Van Het Vogelpark' Kennels and another French female from Mme. Wissocq.

On June 9^th 1996 the very first Annual General Meeting was held of the newly formed BRITISH BOLOGNESE CLUB.

In 1997 Mrs Barbara Benerson emigrated to Cuba, therefore giving up her Bolognese, and entrusting three bitches to Janice & Irene Evenden of the ‘Kashima' affix.

In 2001 the breed in the UK came off the Imported register and was able to be shown at all shows with their own classes and they were at Crufts for the first time in 2002, with 19 entries.

Since then there have been Bolognese Imported from Italian kennels such as from Ms. F Bonanno of the ‘Platino Iridio' Kennel, in Italy. Radamantino Bolognese, owned by M. Maria Luisa Friggi, who for many years worked passionately to restore the Bolognese back to their former glory. Janice and Irene Evenden Imported the first pair from her, and Rev. & Ann Good 'Canipelosi' as late as 2005 Imported a male, previously in 2000 they had imported from Mr Riccardo Viola of the Viola Delle Lame Bolognese. Also there has been imports into the UK from Mr. Alberto Veronesi's Kennel, Ms Giani 'Peterhund', Ms P Colosimo 'Degli Elmi' all of Italy, A. Jensens 'Chantli's' and Laila Bergmann 'Puzzinuz' of Sweden. Also Bolognese have been Imported into the UK from the Mrs H M Van Luijken 'Barratscillag' of the Netherlands.

Although considered still a rare breed amounting to only approximately 500 (in the year 2004) in the UK alone. Over the years this charming intelligent little dog has become more popular as people can see that they have so many endearing qualities. Affectionately the Bolognese can be described as little humans with fur coats on.

I sincerely hope that breeders continue to breed them responsibly aiming to achieve a high standard, working diligently to ensure that the Bolognese are a small, square, sound, sturdy dog with a distinctive coat, having a charming happy temperament. So that people all over the world will have the opportunity of enjoying and loving the Bolognese now and in the future.