Common distinctive features of the breed, where the Volpino-Italiano appeared, is the origin of the animal. Entering the international arena and recognizing the variety.
General distinctive features of the Volpino-Italiano breed
Volpino-italiano or volpino-italiano are small, compactly folded dogs. By its format, the animal fits into a square. They are versatile because of their size and attract the attention of many people with their beautiful, fluffy coat and cheerful disposition. Looking at them, you might think that this is a living, plush mini-toy, or a funny cloud on small legs.
A fox face and shiny, dark Volpino eyes give a cute expression to their face. The representatives of the breed have a distinctive feature - their perfectly pubescent, curled tail, which lies on the back. Most animals have a bright, white coat, but there are others. Red-colored dogs are very much appreciated, which are rare. There is also champagne-colored wool, but such dogs are not very much in demand at show contests.
Despite their small size, these dogs are distinguished by a very determined and energetic temperament. Cheerful and playful, extremely attached to their owners. Volpino-Italiano are very territorial animals. They are fearless in upholding things that are considered their property. Always attentive and alert dogs, they have amazing intelligence. Pets can safely live in a country house or apartment (albeit small), but they should be able to go outside often enough to develop communication with their fellows.
How and where did Volpino Italiano appear, the antiquity of its origin
Volpino-Italiano once originated in Italy many centuries ago, and belongs to the Spitz group. Spitz-like canines lived in various parts of the world. The remains of dogs from this group of red, white, black, cream colors have been found in European peat bogs. Anthropologists attribute their age to four thousand years BC.
Also, the remains of small dogs with curly tails, fox-like heads and small straight ears, which are more than five thousand years old, were found. These small domesticated dogs were dressed with beautiful ivory pendants and graceful collars. There are many old engravings of similar dogs found in Greece. Also discovered are artifacts and paintings dating back to the millennium five hundred, depicting miniature white dogs with curled tails and straight ears, which are preserved in the British Museum to this day.
Famous owners of Volpino Italiano
The famous artist Michelangelo had pets of the Volpino breed and he depicted them on his canvases. There are mentions that when the master worked in the Sistine Chapel, between 1508-1512, the representatives of the Volpino-Italiano always accompanied him.
Queen Victoria of Great Britain went to the Italian city of Florence in 1888 and brought her first Volpino from there. Throughout her life, the ruler had many pets of this breed. She gave them various nicknames: "White", "Turi", "Fuzzy", "Gena", "Gina", "Bippo", "Lenda" and "Lena".
Dogs like this have been known, popular and loved for centuries by the Italian royal court. Pets were in a special position with courtiers, noble ladies. Italian Spitz were among their "favorites" not only because of their pretty appearance and fluffy fur coat. Pets served as a kind of "antidepressant" because of their fun and loyal nature.
The alleged progenitors of Volpino-Italiano and the history of development
Despite the fact that the breed representatives are very similar to the Pomeranian, the roots of this variety are much older and, therefore, have a different origin. Northern dogs began their journey with the history of their domestication in the south, very long ago. Volpino-Italiano is also called in Italian "lupino" or "volpino", which means - "little fox", respectively, their genetics are associated with wolves and foxes.
Despite its long history, Volpino Italiano was unknown outside Italy until the 1880s and is now quite rare in other countries. The continuation of the history of the breed continues almost a hundred years later, in the 80s of the XX century, when American breeders imported the already existing Italian breed to the North American continent.
The breed name "Volpino-Italiano" was changed to "American Eskimo". And although the newly introduced dogs looked little like the local Eskimo dogs, and even more so they did not have any wild ancestors of the northern forests, nevertheless, breeders still claim that the breed originated from wild wolves and foxes, which interbred with local dogs.
Restoration of the Volpino-Italiano and recognition of the breed by dog associations
In 1903, the International Dog Association (FCI) recognized the Volpino-Italiano as an Italian breed, but it was on the verge of extinction in the second half of the 20th century. Only five dogs were registered in 1965. Enrico Franceschetti, representative of the Italian National Cynological Club (ENCI), in 1984, several initiatives were taken to revive the species.
The American Kennel Club Breed Registry (AKCFSS), withdrew recognition of the Volpino Italiano in the summer of 2006, due to concerns about its resemblance to American Eskimo dogs. As of 1 July 2006, the UK Kenel Club (UKC) recognized the Volpino with the same breed standard as the FCI.
The original purpose of the Volpino-Italiano and the state of the breed
Despite its miniature parameters, this dog originally had a completely different purpose. Volpino Italiano was used as a real watchdog in Tuscan farms. The main duty of this little watchdog was to warn the large dogs that the intruder was approaching the territory entrusted to them.
But, their beautiful, pleasant character and sharp intellect, served the breed well. Volpino-Italiano became more popularized as house pets. In a 2006 survey of kennel clubs, an average of one hundred twenty puppies were registered in Italy, and a total of two or three hundred were registered in Sweden, Norway and Finland. In America, no more than twenty puppies are born a year. In view of all this, "Volpino" is already recognized by many dog lovers as an excellent companion, especially for the elderly, as its natural behavior works as an "antidepressant".
Nowadays, they are still classified as rare breeds, including only four thousand dogs. Although Volpino Italianos are mainly concentrated in Italy, their breeding is currently taking place in fifteen countries, including Brazil, Russia, Holland, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Hungary, United Kingdom, USA, Holland, Finland and Canada.
