About the Italian Volpino

Italian Volpinos are lively, cheerful, playful dogs with a distinctive temperament that grow very fond of their home patch and their family.

They have been bred in Italy since time immemorial, loved in palaces and hovels alike, especially for their guard instinct and vigilance. Perhaps most famously, it was the breed favoured by Michelangelo. In the 18th century it was used by carters in Toscany and Lazio, Italy, barking as soon as strangers approached.

Source: key facts and characteristics sourced from Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Breed specifics

Country
Italy
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Small
Avg life expectancy
14–16 years

Loving / Assertive / Alert / Playful / Lively

Key facts

  • Requires a lot of grooming
  • Suitable for small homes
  • Makes a great family dog