Also called Italian Volpino, Cane del Quirinale, Cane di Firenze, Florentine Spitz · Italy
A cheerful, bouncy companion that loves its home and people and is quick to let you know when something is going on.
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4.1 to 5.4 kg (9 to 12 lb)12 |
| Height | 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in)males 27 to 30 cm, females 25 to 28 cm23 |
| Lifespan | 14 to 16 years1 |
| Coat | Long stand-off coat |
| Origin | Italy42 |
| Group | FCI group 5 |
A typical home-care rhythm for a Volpino Italiano. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Energetic and playful, but a moderate amount of daily exercise and play keeps it content.1
Small enough for apartment life and happiest living indoors close to its family.12
Forms very strong bonds with its household and prefers to be included in daily life.21
The dense coat should be brushed weekly, with occasional bathing.1
Feed your Volpino Italiano at least two meals a day for adults, and three to four smaller meals for puppies. Consistent times, such as morning and evening, help regulate digestion. For exact amounts, check the food label and consult your vet.6
A high-quality dog food suited to its age and size is ideal. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol, which are especially harmful to dogs. Always ask your vet for specific dietary advice.7
Bathe your Volpino Italiano about every 70 days, or roughly every two to three months, as Pet Wiki suggests. More frequent baths are fine if it gets dirty, but use a dog-safe shampoo. Its dense coat only needs occasional bathing.18 Pet Wiki plan
Brush your Volpino Italiano at least weekly, but Pet Wiki recommends every three days, with daily brushing during heavy shedding. This keeps its long, dense coat healthy and reduces loose hair. Regular brushing also strengthens your bond.18 Pet Wiki plan
Trim nails every three weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Use a dog nail trimmer, cutting a little at a time and stopping before the quick. If you're unsure, your vet or groomer can show you how.8 Pet Wiki plan
Your Volpino Italiano needs moderate daily exercise, such as walks and playtime. It's energetic and playful but content with a reasonable amount. Daily walks and interactive games will keep it happy and healthy.1 Pet Wiki plan
Brush its teeth daily if possible, at least two to three times a week, using dog toothpaste. Check ears every two weeks for dirt or odor, and clean gently with a vet-recommended solution. Never insert anything into the ear canal.8 Pet Wiki plan
A Volpino Italiano typically lives 14 to 16 years, giving you many wonderful years together. With proper care, nutrition, and regular vet visits, it can enjoy a long, happy life.1
This cheerful, bouncy companion loves its home and people, so with proper socialization it can be wonderful with children and other pets. It bonds strongly with its household. Always supervise early interactions and ask your breeder for guidance.231
The Volpino Italiano forms very strong bonds and prefers to be included in daily life, so it may struggle when left alone for long periods. It's happiest indoors close to its family. If you must leave it, provide toys and a comfortable space, but consider a pet sitter.21
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Volpino Italiano. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
The lens slips out of place between 3 and 8 years and can cause painful glaucoma; a DNA test finds carriers. UC Davis VGL lists the Volpino Italiano for the PLL DNA test; no published rate ↗
The kneecap slips out of place and causes a skipping step; a common small-breed issue. Generic small-breed condition; no Volpino data published ↗
Small mouths crowd the teeth, so tartar builds up fast and teeth need brushing. Generic small-breed condition; no Volpino data published ↗
Little is published for this breed; these are the usual conditions for its size and type. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
Running costs for a Volpino Italiano, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Volpino Italiano in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Michelangelo is said to have kept a Volpino as a companion.2
A dog resembling the Volpino appears in Vittore Carpaccio's painting of St Augustine, made in Venice in 1502.5
Queen Victoria bought four similar dogs during a visit to Florence in 1888.5
In Lazio it was nicknamed the Cane del Quirinale, after the Quirinal Palace in Rome.5
The breed name 'Volpino' comes from the Italian word 'volpe' meaning fox, referring to its fox-like appearance. It is also known as the Italian Volpino, Cane del Quirinale, Cane di Firenze, and Florentine Spitz.5
I woke up and bounced onto my human's bed. 'Buongiorno!' I barked. We had breakfast, then I chased a ball in the garden. I love barking at the mailman, it's my job! For lunch, I napped in a sunbeam. Later, my human took me to the park. I made friends with a fluffy poodle. We ran circles until we were dizzy. At home, I got belly rubs. Now I'm curled on the sofa, dreaming of tomorrow.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
The Volpino descends from the ancient European spitz dogs and was a favourite in Italy for centuries, kept by nobles and ordinary families alike as a watchful companion. Numbers fell so low in the 1960s that the breed almost vanished, but surviving dogs were found and registrations restarted in 1972.25
Popularity About 160 new registrations a year in Italy between 2011 and 20195
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
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