It is believed that the Bolognese was bred as early as the 11th and 12th centuries and they descended from the Bichons of southern Italy and Malta. In the 1500s, the Bolognese was popular with the royal families. They were used as companions as they are today. It was only about 200 years ago that this breed reached Britain. Today, this Bolognese breed is rare, but is making a comeback because of breeders in Europe.
