Volpino Italiano

Infobox Dogbreed
name= Volpino Italiano


image_caption=This is a standard Volpino Italiano.
altname= Cane de Quirinale
Florentine Spitz
Italian Spitz
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country= Italy
fcigroup= 5
fcisection= 4
fcinum= 195
fcistd= http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/195gb99_en.doc
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note= The AKC FSS declined recognition of the Volpino during the Summer of 2006 due to concern over its similarity to the American Eskimo Dog. As of July 1, 2006, the UKC recognized the Volipino with the same breed standard as the FCI.|

A Volpino Italiano is a white, spitz-type breed of dog originally from Italy.

History

Spitz-type dogs were found throughout the ancient world. Specimens from this group have been found preserved in European peat bogs which anthropologists trace to 4000 BC. The remains—with curly tails, foxy heads, and small erect ears—have been found dating back over 5,000 years. These little pets wore decorative ivory bracelets and collars. Engravings of similar dogs were found in Greece, and these have been determined to date to about 400 BC.

The Volpino has been known and loved by Italian royalty for centuries, being a special favorite of the ladies. Although bearing a strong resemblance to the Pomeranian, the breed is much older and thus has a different background. The northern dogs found their way south very early in the history of domesticated dogs. The Italian word for wolf is "lupo", and the Keeshond is called both Lupino and Volpino in Italian. Volpe is Italian for "fox", hence volpino means little fox in Italian. Despite his long history, the Volpino is unknown outside of Italy and is now quite rare even in his homeland.

Despite its small size, this dog was originally kept as a guard dog. Its job was to alert the large mastiffs to an intruder. However, due to their lovely temperament and intelligence they also became popular as pets. For unknown reasons the breed's popularity dropped and in 1965 the last dogs were registered. In 1984 an attempt was made to revive the breed. The dogs still living as guard dogs on farms became the new breeding stock. Volpinos remain rare with about 2000 dogs world wide. Most are in Italy but some people are now breeding them in Scandinavia, the UK and the USA.A 2006 survey of kennel clubs found an average of 120 puppiesregistered each year in Italy (with ENCI) and a total of 200-300 registered each inSweden, Norway and Finland. Fewer than one dozen were registeredin the USA with UKC and CKC.

Clubs and Organizations

Italian National Kennel Club (Ente Nazionale Cinofilia Italiana) (ENCI) [http://www.enci.it/en/breeds/description.php?id=195] Volpino Club of the US [http://www.VolpinoClub.us]

KT Brennan's Volpino Italiano Dogs [http://www.volpino.ca]

Temperament

The Volpino makes a good watchdog, and some can even be used as gun-dogs if trained properly. They will make extremely active, affectionate pets.

See also

*Lap dog
*Spitz