Volpino
Italiano
This name
means little fox and gives you a good
idea of what the dog looks like. It is often referred to as an Italian Spitz.
It is a small breed with long hair, a curly tail, a cute fox like face with
erect ears. It comes in three recognised colours – white, ‘rosso’ – ginger, or
champagne. The Volpino has a friendly temperament and is easily trained. It’s
also good with children and used to be thought of as a ‘lady’s dog’.
The breed’s
origins are not known, but it is believed to be a descendant of the European
Spitz which dates back to the Bronze Age. It was a favourite of the Italian
royals and aristocracy particularly
around the areas of Florence and Rome. It was often used to accompany its
owners in their carriages as its alert demeanour meant it would warn of any
imminent danger. After the Second World War its popularity declined. Although
an attempt to revive the breed was made in the 1980s, there are now believed to
be only around 2000 left in the world. It is not that well known outside Italy.
Since
coming to Italy we have had two Volpino crosses.
The first was Truffles, the red and white dog who we found abandoned and the
second, Whisky, who we took in after we heard a local farmer didn’t want him
anymore. He was two years old and I remember going to pick him up with Alan and
wondering if he would miss his owners. He sat on my knee on the way home and
never looked back or showed the slightest concern that he was leaving. He was a
lovely, highly intelligent little dog and it broke our hearts when he died
eight years later.
Links: http://www.volpinoclub.us/
http://www.volpinoitaliano.it/
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