Volpino ItalianoCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the Volpino descends from the European Spitz, which lived in the centre of the continent as far back as the Bronze Age. It shares the same ancestors as the German Spitz, but it does not descend from it; it is a relative. A work by Vittore Carpaccio from 1502 shows a Volpino, and the Volpino was Michelangelo's dog. In the 18th century it was the tireless companion of the carters of Tuscany and Lazio, noisily announcing any stranger.

The standard was written in 1913, and the breed was fairly popular in the first part of the 20th century, then disappeared. A few white dogs reappeared in 1968, and from 1972 the Volpino was registered again. Wikipedia says Queen Victoria bought four dogs of this type in Florence in 1888.

How the breed developed

• 1502 – A Volpino appears in a painting by Carpaccio.
• 1888 – Queen Victoria buys dogs in Florence.
• 1913 – The first standard.
• 1968 – A few white dogs reappear.
• 1972 – The breed is registered again.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as a small Spitz-type dog, compact and harmonious, with a body that fits into a square and a pyramid-shaped head.

General appearance

The coat is dense, very long, exceptionally straight and standing off the body, with harsh hair. The body looks wrapped in a muff, especially at the neck, where it forms a rich ruff.

The standard accepts solid white, red or black; other colours are tolerated. The white must be pure, “with the depth of milk”, and the red a rich stag red.

The standard describes it as very attached to its home and family, with an exuberant temperament, lively, cheerful and playful. The AKC says it is very vocal and closely bonded to its family; in the countryside it barked at intruders and predators, waking the guarding mastiffs.

The AKC says it is active and curious and needs plenty of exercise and mental challenges; a Volpino left alone or without enough exercise can quickly become destructive.

Tips for effective training

• Keep its mind busy. The AKC gives 5 out of 5 for its need for mental stimulation.
• Do not leave it alone for long. It becomes destructive.
• Teach it “quiet”. It can be very vocal.
• Socialise it early. It is reserved with strangers.

The AKC says it is an active, high-energy dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental challenges. A well-fenced yard and lots of toys keep it out of mischief.

Tips for a balanced life

• Brush it two or three times a week.
• Do not bath it too often.
• Give it lots of toys.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says the fluffy double coat is surprisingly easy to keep clean. A thorough brush two or three times a week removes dead hair and prevents mats. Baths should be rare.

Common health problems

There are no known breed-specific diseases. As with any small Spitz, it is worth watching for:

Other care

• Brush its teeth regularly.
• Go for yearly check-ups.
• Keep it at the right weight.

The AKC recommends good-quality food suited to the dog's age, and attention to its weight.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Treats count towards the daily portion.
• Split its food into two or three small meals.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Michelangelo's dog. The standard says Michelangelo had a Volpino.
• Painted by Carpaccio. It appears in a work from 1502.
• The carters' alarm. It announced strangers on the roads of Tuscany.
• A relative, not a descendant. Related to the German Spitz, not descended from it.
• Reborn in 1968. A few white dogs saved the breed.

Carpaccio's painting

The FCI standard says a Volpino appears in Vittore Carpaccio's 1502 painting “The Vision of Saint Augustine”, in Venice.

Michelangelo

The FCI standard says the Volpino was Michelangelo's dog.

What colours does it come in?

White, red or black.

Is it related to the German Spitz?

Yes, they share the same ancestors.

Does it bark a lot?

It can be very vocal.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives 12–15 years.