Volpino Italiano
- Small
- Foundation Stock Service
The Volpino Italiano is a small, fluffy white spitz from Italy, loyal and loving with energy to spare. The breed nearly vanished before Italian breeders revived it in the 1960s. It is devoted to its owners.
- Height
- 10 to 12
- inches at the shoulder
- Males 10.5 to 12 in
- Weight
- 8 to 16
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15
- years, median 13.5
- Senior from
- 10.1
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Temperament
- Loyal, energetic, loving
- Coat
- Double, long
- Origin
- Italy
- Recognized
- 2021
The Volpino Italiano is a small, energetic Italian spitz, standing 10 to 12 inches tall and weighing 8 to 16 pounds. It forms close bonds and prefers frequent company.
Volpini have existed since ancient times and almost went extinct when interest in the breed faded in Italy. Breeders crossed the Volpino Italiano with their American Eskimo Dogs in an effort to create the toy-sized American Eskimo. In the 1960s, Italian breeders took new interest to prevent the breed's extinction, and the Volpino saw a resurgence.
It joined the AKC Foundation Stock Service and was recognized in 2021. Primary lens luxation, an eye condition, is known in the breed, so regular veterinary checkups are a good idea.
Temperament and needs
Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.
- Affectionate with family5 out of 5
- Good with young children3 out of 5
- Good with other dogs3 out of 5
- Openness to strangers1 out of 5
- Playfulness3 out of 5
- Watchdog and protective nature3 out of 5
- Adaptability1 out of 5
- Trainability3 out of 5
- Energy level3 out of 5
- Mental stimulation needs5 out of 5
- Barking level1 out of 5
- Shedding2 out of 5
- Grooming frequency1 out of 5
- Drooling1 out of 5
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
The Volpino Italiano does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior.
Some Volpini are prone to gaining weight, so watch calorie intake and overall condition. Treats help with training, but too many can lead to obesity, so keep them modest. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not, and check with your vet about any weight or diet concerns.
Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.
Grooming
The Volpino Italiano's fluffy white double coat, a short dense undercoat below a longer outer coat, is surprisingly easy to keep clean. A thorough brushing two or three times a week removes dead hairs before they shed and helps prevent matting.
Before any bath, comb out tangles or mats first. Bathing occasionally is fine, but more than once every few months can leave the skin dry and irritated. Beyond that, how often you bathe comes down to preference, unless your pup gets into something messy.
Trim the nails regularly, and keep ear cleanings and at-home dental care in the routine. Small dogs are particularly prone to dental disease, so talk with your veterinarian about starting professional teeth cleanings for your Volpino at a young age.
Exercise
The Volpino is active, quick, and curious, with plenty of energy and a need for both exercise and mental challenges. Brisk walks and backyard play sessions give it good ways to burn energy, and a securely fenced yard with an assortment of toys keeps it busy.
A Volpino left alone or under-exercised may become destructive. Keep the dog indoors with regular family contact rather than leaving it in the yard all day.
This breed also enjoys agility, tracking, rally, competitive obedience, and musical canine freestyle, a mix of obedience training, dance, and tricks.
Training
Food rewards can hold a Volpino's focus for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. They respond well to reward-based training using treats or a favorite toy. Training early is always good, though older dogs learn new tricks too.
To work past this breed's headstrong tendencies, start a consistent training program in puppyhood. Socialize Volpini early by introducing them to different people, places, and animals.
Health conditions
2 conditions are documented for the Volpino Italiano.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
Sources
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