Volpino Italiano

The Volpino Italiano is a rare Spitz-type breed with origins tracing back thousands of years. Highly regarded by Italian royalty and the public, these dogs remain relatively unknown outside Italy today. With a plush coat and fox-like face, the Volpino Italiano resembles Pomeranians and American Eskimo Dogs. They are loving and get along well with other pets and children, but require plenty of attention and exercise to stay happy and healthy.

The Volpino Italiano has sharp facial features, including pointed ears, tight noses, and round dark brown eyes. Their compact, square bodies have fine-boned limbs, and their furry tails curl over their backs. The name ‘Volpino’ translates to ‘fox-like’ in English, highlighting their distinctive appearance.

When socialized early, Volpino Italianos play well with other animals. They are active and enjoy chasing and running. Though they may bark at strangers, proper training can manage this behavior. This intelligent breed can be headstrong, requiring patient and consistent training with positive reinforcement to ensure a willing attitude.

Despite their small size, Volpino Italianos need significant physical and mental exercise. Daily activities, from agility training to nose work, keep them healthy and engaged. To maintain their thick fur, brush them twice a week to prevent matting. Professional grooming or monthly trimming of longer hairs may be necessary. Daily wiping of tear stains from beneath their eyes is also important.

Read More: What is the Origin of the Work Dog?

Volpino Italiano: The Little Fox with a Big Heart – A Comprehensive Guide to This Spirited and Loyal Breed

The Volpino Italiano, a small and energetic breed, boasts a rich history and a striking appearance. This dog, often described as spirited and affectionate, is known for its loyalty and alert nature. Despite its small size, the Volpino Italiano has served various roles throughout history, including being a cherished lap dog for court ladies and a vigilant guard dog.

As a member of the Spitz family, the Volpino Italiano shares many traits with other ancient spitz breeds, including a thick double coat and a fox-like face. Its lively personality and strong attachment to its family make it an ideal pet for those seeking an active and devoted companion.

History of the Volpino Italiano

Ancient Origins

The Volpino Italiano’s history dates back thousands of years, making it one of the oldest known dog breeds. This breed is a member of the Spitz family, characterized by their pointed ears, fluffy double coats, and curled tails. Archaeological evidence suggests that small Spitz-type dogs were present in Europe during the Bronze Age. Remains of similar dogs have been found in European lake dwellings dating back to around 4000 BC​

Cultural Significance

In ancient Italy, the Volpino Italiano was highly esteemed by both the nobility and commoners. These dogs were often depicted in Renaissance paintings, highlighting their prominence in Italian culture and history. The breed was particularly favored by Italian aristocrats, including notable figures like Michelangelo. However, the Volpino was not limited to the upper echelons of society; it was also valued by farmers and tradespeople who relied on its vigilance to guard homes and workshops.

One notable admirer of the Volpino Italiano was Queen Victoria of England. During her visit to Florence in the late 19th century, she was so captivated by this charming breed that she brought several back to England, further cementing its status as a beloved companion dog​.

Near Extinction and Revival of a Rare Breed

Despite its long history and popularity, the Volpino Italiano faced near extinction in the mid-20th century. By the 1960s, the breed’s numbers had dwindled significantly due to various factors, including the increasing popularity of other dog breeds and changes in societal structures that reduced the need for small watchdogs. The breed’s survival was in jeopardy until dedicated enthusiasts and Italian breeders launched efforts to revive it by crossing them with American Eskimo Dogs, resulting in a toy-sized version of the Volpinio breed​​.

The Volpino Italiano gained official recognition as a purebred from the Italian Kennel Club (Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana) in 1913 and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1956. These milestones were crucial in preserving the breed and promoting its resurgence. Breeding programs focused on maintaining the breed’s traditional characteristics while ensuring its health and vitality.

Modern Day

Today, the Volpino Italiano remains a rare breed, but its popularity has been steadily increasing thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders and breed clubs. These organizations work tirelessly to promote the breed, ensure responsible breeding practices, and educate the public about the Volpino’s unique qualities. Known for its loyal and affectionate nature, combined with its historical significance and charming appearance, the Volpino Italiano continues to attract dog lovers worldwide.

Read More: A Guide to Dog Clubs for Dog Owners

Physical Characteristics

The Volpino Italiano is a small but robust dog, known for its distinctive appearance and charming demeanor. Despite its diminutive size, this breed exudes an aura of strength and agility, making it a versatile companion and guard dog.

Size and Build

• Height: The Volpino Italiano stands about 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder.
• Weight: Typically weighs between 9 to 11 pounds.

Despite their small size, these dogs are sturdy and well-muscled, displaying the agility and endurance characteristic of their Spitz lineage​.

Coat

• Type: The Volpino Italiano has a dense double coat. The outer coat is long, straight, and coarse, while the undercoat is thick and soft.
• Colors: Predominantly white, but can also be red, champagne, or black. The coat’s lushness provides insulation against both cold and hot weather, underscoring the breed’s adaptability​.

Distinctive Features

• Head: Wedge-shaped with a pointed muzzle.
• Ears: Small, pointed, and set high, giving an alert expression.
• Tail: Characteristically fluffy and curls over the back.
• Eyes: Dark, expressive, and slightly almond-shaped, contributing to the breed’s intelligent and lively expression​.

Health Concerns

The Volpino Italiano is generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, it is predisposed to certain genetic conditions.

Common Health Issues

• Primary Lens Luxation (PLL): A genetic eye disorder where the lens dislocates from its normal position, potentially leading to glaucoma and vision loss if not treated promptly. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management​.
• Patellar Luxation: A common orthopedic problem in small breeds where the kneecap dislocates. This condition can vary in severity and may require surgical intervention in severe cases​.

Preventive Care

• Regular Veterinary Check-Ups: Routine visits to the vet for health screenings can help catch and manage potential health issues early.
• Genetic Testing: Reputable breeders should perform genetic testing for PLL and other hereditary conditions to ensure the health of their breeding stock and puppies.
• Health Certifications: Look for a reputable breeder who provides health certifications for the puppy’s parents, such as up-to-date eye exams and orthopedic evaluations, and is honest about potential health problems​​.

Lifespan

• Longevity: The Volpino Italiano typically enjoys a long lifespan, ranging from 14 to 16 years, provided they receive proper care and attention to their health needs​.

By understanding and addressing these physical characteristics and health considerations, owners can ensure their Volpino Italiano remains a happy, healthy, and vibrant member of the family.

Temperament and Socialization

The Volpino Italiano is known for its lively and affectionate temperament. This small dog is packed with personality, making it a delightful companion for families and individuals alike.

Key Traits

Energetic and Alert: The Volpino Italiano, a breed of spitz dogs, is highly energetic and always on the lookout. This makes them excellent watchdogs, as they will promptly alert their owners to any unfamiliar presence.

Loyal and Affectionate: These dogs form strong bonds with their family members, often becoming particularly attached to one person. They are loving and enjoy spending time with their owners​.

Playful Nature: Volpino Italianos are playful and enjoy engaging in various activities. They thrive in environments where they can interact with their family and participate in games.

Socialization Needs

Early socialization is crucial for the Volpino Italiano to ensure they grow into well-rounded adults. Volpino Italiano dogs have a rich historical significance and were associated with famous personalities such as Michelangelo and Queen Victoria of England. Introducing them to a variety of people, sights, sounds, and experiences from a young age helps mitigate potential wariness of strangers and prevents overprotectiveness.

• Interaction with People: Regular interaction with different people helps the Volpino become more comfortable around strangers and reduces the likelihood of excessive barking or aggression.
• Interaction with Other Pets: Volpino Italianos generally get along well with other dogs and can live peacefully with cats, especially if raised with them from a young age. Proper socialization helps manage their natural territorial instincts​​.

Read More: How to Socialize an Adult Dog

Volpino Italiano as a Companion and Guard Dog

The Volpino Italiano excels in dual roles within the family setting: as a faithful companion and an effective guard dog. Their temperament and physical attributes make them particularly well-suited for both these roles.

Companion Role

• Loyalty and Affection: The Volpino Italiano is known for its undying loyalty and affection towards its owners. They form strong bonds and enjoy being involved in family activities​​.
• Cheerful Disposition: Their cheerful and playful nature makes them excellent pets for families with or without children. They bring joy and laughter to the household with their lively antics​​.
• Adaptability: Their small size makes them suitable for both large homes and smaller apartments. They are adaptable and can adjust to various living environments, provided they receive enough mental and physical stimulation​​.

Guard Dog Role

• Vigilance and Bravery: Despite their small size, Volpino Italianos are instinctively alert and brave. They were originally used as watchdogs in ancient Italy, and their vigilance makes them effective at alerting their owners to any unusual activity​​.
• Distinctive Bark: Their bark is loud for their size, serving as an effective deterrent against intruders. This trait makes them excellent watchdogs, as they are quick to raise an alarm at the first sign of something amiss​​.
• Wariness of Strangers: Naturally cautious around new people, the Volpino keeps a watchful eye on visitors, ensuring they do not pose a threat to their home or family. Proper socialization can help balance this trait to prevent overprotectiveness or unnecessary aggression​​.

By understanding the Volpino Italiano’s dual roles as a loving companion and vigilant protector, owners can provide the balanced training and socialization needed to nurture these qualities. This breed’s adaptability, intelligence, and affectionate nature make them a beloved addition to any home.

Training and Exercise

The Volpino Italiano is a highly intelligent and active breed that thrives on mental and physical stimulation. Proper training and regular exercise are essential to keep these dogs happy, healthy, and well-behaved.

Training

• Positive Reinforcement: Volpino Italianos respond exceptionally well to positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats, praise, and play. This approach encourages desired behaviors and helps build a strong bond between the dog and its owner​​.
• Basic Commands: Early training should focus on teaching basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. These commands provide a foundation for more advanced training and help establish good manners.
• Barking Control: Due to their natural alertness, Volpino Italianos can be prone to excessive barking. It is crucial to teach the “quiet” command to manage this behavior and prevent it from becoming a nuisance. Consistent training and positive reinforcement can help mitigate this issue​​.
• Socialization: Early socialization is vital for the Volpino Italiano to develop into a well-rounded adult. Introducing puppies to a variety of people, animals, and environments helps them become more confident and less wary of strangers. Puppy classes, playdates, and visits to dog-friendly places are excellent ways to enhance socialization​​.

Read More: Dog Training 101

Exercise

• Daily Activity: The Volpino Italiano is an energetic breed that requires regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. They need about 1 to 1.5 hours of activity each day, which can be divided into several short walks and play sessions​​.
• Mental Stimulation: In addition to physical exercise, Volpino Italianos need mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Activities such as puzzle toys, training games, and canine sports like agility and obedience can provide the necessary mental challenge​.
• Safe Environment: Due to their small size, Volpino Italianos should be exercised in safe, enclosed areas to prevent injuries. It is essential to supervise them closely, especially in areas with larger dogs or potential hazards​​.

Grooming

Proper grooming is essential to maintain the health and appearance of the Volpino Italiano’s luxurious coat. Regular grooming routines help prevent matting, reduce shedding, and ensure the dog’s skin remains healthy.

Brushing

• Frequency: The Volpino Italiano requires weekly brushing to remove loose hairs and prevent matting. During shedding seasons, typically in the spring and fall, more frequent brushing may be necessary to manage the increased volume of loose fur​​.
• Tools: Use a pin brush for detangling and smoothing the fur, and a metal comb to remove any remaining tangles and dead hairs near the skin. A slicker brush can also be useful for tackling stubborn mats and tangles.
• Technique: Brush the coat gently but thoroughly, starting from the base and working your way out to the tips. Pay special attention to areas prone to matting, such as behind the ears, under the legs, and around the neck​.

Bathing

• Frequency: Bathe the Volpino Italiano as needed, typically every few months or when the dog becomes particularly dirty. Over-bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils, so it is important to use a mild dog shampoo and conditioner​.
• Drying: After bathing, thoroughly dry the coat to prevent moisture from causing skin irritation or fungal infections. A towel followed by a blow dryer on a low, cool setting works well​​.

Coat Maintenance

• Trimming: Regular trimming of the fur around the paws and sanitary areas helps maintain cleanliness and prevents matting. However, the coat’s natural length should be preserved to retain its insulating properties​​.
• Skin Health: Regularly check the skin for signs of irritation, redness, or excessive scratching, which can indicate allergies or other skin issues. If any abnormalities are noticed, consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment​​.

Dental Care

• Brushing: Brush the dog’s teeth several times a week to prevent tartar buildup and maintain oral health. Use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste​​.
• Dental Chews: Providing dental chews and toys can help keep teeth clean and gums healthy.

Nail Care

• Trimming: Regularly trim the dog’s nails to prevent overgrowth and splitting. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, it’s time for a trim​​.
• Tools: Use dog-specific nail clippers or a grinder, and be cautious not to cut too close to the quick, which can cause pain and bleeding.

By adhering to a consistent grooming routine and providing appropriate training and exercise, owners can ensure their Volpino Italiano remains a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted companion.

Volpino Italiano in Dog Sports

The Volpino Italiano is not just a charming companion but also excels in various canine sports, thanks to its agility, intelligence, and energetic nature.

Participation in Canine Sports

• Agility: This sport involves navigating an obstacle course and is excellent for the Volpino Italiano’s physical and mental stimulation. Their agility and quickness make them naturals at this sport​​.
• Obedience: Obedience training and competitions can help channel the Volpino’s intelligence and eagerness to please. It reinforces good behavior and strengthens the bond between the dog and its owner​​.
• Nose Work: This activity taps into the dog’s keen sense of smell. It involves searching for specific scents and can be a fun and rewarding way to keep the Volpino mentally stimulated​​.

Similar Breeds

The Volpino Italiano shares many characteristics with other Spitz-type breeds. Here are a few breeds similar to the Volpino Italiano:

• German Spitz: Similar in appearance and size, the German Spitz also has a dense double coat and a lively temperament. Both breeds are affectionate and make excellent watchdogs​​.
• Pomeranian: Smaller than the Volpino, the Pomeranian shares the fluffy coat and fox-like face. They are known for their bold and spirited nature but require regular grooming to maintain their coat​.
• American Eskimo Dog: Larger than the Volpino, the American Eskimo Dog is robust and intelligent, excelling in agility and obedience. They share the Volpino’s friendly and alert disposition​.

Conclusion

The Volpino Italiano is a delightful breed that combines a rich history, striking appearance, and lively personality. Whether serving as a loyal companion, a vigilant watchdog, or a participant in canine sports, the Volpino Italiano excels in various roles. Prospective owners should be prepared to meet their exercise, grooming, and socialization needs to ensure a happy and healthy life for their Volpino.

By understanding the breed’s characteristics, health concerns, and care requirements, owners can provide a loving and supportive environment for this charming and spirited dog. The Volpino Italiano’s enduring appeal and resilience make it a wonderful addition to any home.