The Italian volpino is often confused with the Pomeranian, although this is one of the dog breeds that has nothing to envy its German cousin. In fact, they both belong to the Spitz family and have some characteristics in common.
However, this time we are going to talk about the Italian volpino dog breed and all its characteristics to help you learn more about this breed.
Origins of the Italian volpino
The origins of the Italian volpino are very old. This breed descends from the European Spitz and that is why there are so many similarities to the German or Pomeranian Spitz. In Italy the Volpino has been around for a long time, since Roman times and was known as the dog of the nobility.
Over the years he remained popular in the Italian courts and continued to be the companion dog of the upper social classes. The volpino appears in a 1500 painting by Vittore Carpaccio The Vision of Sant'Agostino, where it is perfectly recognizable. The link of this breed with art does not only appear hereIn fact this was the faithful dog of Michelangelo Buonarroti.
The breed was popular for a long time until the 1950s, but then it almost disappeared. It wasn't until the 1970s that some white specimens were recovered. and since then the Italian Volpino began to spread again.
Physical characteristics
This is a small, compact dog characterized by long, soft and smooth hairIn addition, it has a well-defined pyramidal shape. The nose, which is black in color, stands out especially in the white variant and is clearly evident, although it is not too sharp. His eyes are wide open and dark brown with a lively, lively look that reveals all his energy.
The ears are triangular and straight, set high and facing outward. His muscular neck is always worn high. The tail is high, it rolls over your back and by the standard the closer to the neck the better. He is covered in long hair and it is sturdier at the base.
Males measure between 27 and 30 cm, while in females between 25 and 28 cm. The standard does not indicate a precise weight, but it must be proportional to the height. However, We can say that on average an Italian Volpino weighs around 4-5 kg.
Hair is one of the unmistakable characteristics of the Italian volpino and other type dogs. Pointedas this is thick, long and straight. The hair itself is rough, but when stroked as a whole it is very soft. On the tail the hair is very long, while on the ears it is shorter and thinner.
The Italian Volpino, according to the standard, can be of two colors, milky white (with shades of beige in the ears, which are not tolerated) or very intense red. However, the red variant is now less widespread and for the same reason it is often confused with the Pomeranian. They can also be in other colors, but they are not recognized by the official breed standard.
Character
The Italian Volpino shows great attachment to the owner and the people he loves. It is a lively, cheerful, open and sociable animal even with strangers. Some specimens may be more cautious around people they don't know, but basically after a while they will seek pampering from someone. It is a great plush that loves company and is also an excellent playmate for children, with whom it can spend hours and hours playing.
It is a dynamic, cheerful, playful and funny dog, but not hyperactive. If you are well educated, you actually know when it is time to finish a game and rest. It is a docile dog, but at the same time determined and given its past as a guard dog, it tends to bark. Finally we can say that it is an intelligent, alert and sometimes territorial dog.
Care
The Italian Volpino is one of the easiest Italian dogs to take care of if we offer it the care it needs. You will have to cut your hair alone and when necessary And to always have a clean and tidy dog, it is very important that you brush it daily and right after letting it play and after walking it.
Education
Like we have already said, the Volpino tends to bark because the breed has been bred to be a guard dog despite its size. This is one of the aspects that most worries the person who intends to adopt an Italian Volpino, but if he is educated properly through positive reinforcement, this aspect can be mitigated.
It is an easy dog to train and educate, but it is good to have short training sessions and about 10 minutes every day. Also and if you like sports with dogs, with this breed you can do Agility, since it is a breed especially suitable for this type of activity and it loves to move. Finally you have to remember the importance of socialization as a puppy, in particular to prevent behavior problems and secondly to avoid mistrust or fear of the stimuli that he will have to deal with during his life, such as other animals, people and children or environments in which you will take him for a walk.
"Salud"
The Italian Volpino is a robust and hardy dog that is generally in excellent health. However, the most common problems of the breed are those that have to do with sight, such as crystalline lens dislocation, a very common problem of the breed, but it is possible to prevent or diagnose this disease early thanks to a specific test.
Being overweight is another problem that this breed of dog usually has, since tend to gain weight easily, so it is good to pay attention to food and get them to exercise. Finally, it is important to regularly clean your eyes and ears to prevent any problems and infections in these parts of the body.
Italian Volpino is a dog that can live for approximately 15 years, even dogs that have reached 18-20 years are known. If you take good care of yourself, respecting the frequency of treatments and routine visits to the vet, you will be able to have a faithful friend by your side for a long time.