Volpino Italiano [1] , or Italian Volpino [2] , or Florentine Spitz [1] , or a palace dog [1] ( Italian: volpino italiano ), is a breed of decorative miniature dogs bred in Italy , a descendant of the European Spitz. It resembles German Spitz and Pomeranian Lulu . In the world there are only a few hundred individuals [1] .
| Volpino italiano | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| Other name | italian volpino, florentine spitz, palace dog | ||||
| Origin | |||||
| A place |  Italy | ||||
| Specifications | |||||
| Growth |
| ||||
| Weight | 4 kg | ||||
| Wool | dense, very long, straight and sticking out | ||||
| Color | white, red | ||||
| Other | |||||
| Using | guard dog, companion dog | ||||
| IF classification | |||||
| Group | 5. Spitz and primitive breed | ||||
| Section | 4. European Spitz | ||||
| room | 195 | ||||
| Year | 1956 | ||||
Breed History
The ancestor of Volpino Italiano, like the German Spitz , is the European Spitz, which existed in the central part of the continent already in the Bronze Age , which is confirmed by fragments of skeletons discovered during excavations of ancient human sites. Images of Italian spitz known from antiquity are found on Etruscan ceramics of the 9th century BC. A small white spitz is depicted in Vittore Carpaccio painting (1502). They bred mainly in Florence , these dogs could be found both in the palaces of the nobility and in the homes of commoners, where they were especially appreciated for their vigilance [1] [3] [2] .
The name of the breed comes from the word volpe , which means “fox” in Italian, and volpino means “fox”. She is also known as the Florentine Spitz and the palace dog [1] [2] .
In 1901, Volpino Italiano was first entered into the studbook, from that moment the official history of the breed began. In 1913, G. Solaro from Turin developed its first standard [2] .
In 1956, the breed was recognized by the International Cynological Federation and assigned to the group of Spitz and primitive breeds, sections of European Spitz [4] .
After 1965, when the last five volpino were recorded, the breed was on the verge of extinction. In 1984, a special program for the conservation of national breeds of Italy, within the framework of which strong and healthy dogs preserved from the villagers were selected for breeding, made it possible to restore the animal population [2] .
In 2006, the Italian Spitz was recognized by the American Joint Kennel Club (UKC), according to the classification of which is ranked as a group of northern breeds [5] .
Appearance
Small size, compact and harmoniously folded spitz with long raised hair [3] .
The head is wedge-shaped, about 4/10 in length from the height at the withers. The median groove is hardly marked, the occipital protuberance is slightly pronounced. The forehead is convex, the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is quite noticeable. Nose with well-opened nostrils. The jaws are normally developed, although they do not seem very strong. The teeth are white, scissor bite, but straight. The eyes are round in shape, relatively large, with an alert and lively expression. Ears are erect, short, triangular, high set, located close to each other [3] .
The position of the neck is vertical, the ratio of its length to the length of the head is 1: 1. The case is square format, the withers stand out slightly above the top line. The chest is voluminous, the stomach is moderately tightened. The tail is folded and thrown back. The paws of the hind and forelimbs are oval, with tightly assembled fingers, claws and pads of black color [3] .
The skin fits snugly without wrinkling. The coat is dense, very long, with straight coarse, always raised hair and thick undercoat , forms a lush collar on the neck, and should give the impression that the body is wrapped with a sleeve. The hair on the tail is very long, hair forms on the back surfaces of the limbs. The color is pure white (with a shade depth closer to milk) or pure red (in intensity closer to the color of a deer). On the tail and "trousers" the wool is of lighter shades [3] . Before, quite often it was possible to meet fawn, black and sable volpino [1] .
Height at the withers of males is from 27 to 30 cm, bitches are from 25 to 28 cm [3] , weight is up to 4 kg [6] .
Temperament
By nature, a very bright, cheerful, cheerful and playful dog, strongly attached to his family and environment. With pleasure takes part in the games of children. Strangers are suspicious. It is used as a companion dog and a guard dog, ready at any time with a flood bark to warn of imminent danger [1] [3] [7] .
Health, maintenance and care
Volpino Italiano is a healthy dog compared to many other breeds, however there are some genetic diseases that must be considered when buying a puppy - primary or hereditary luxation (displacement) of the lens of the eye, dislocation of the patella, Addison’s disease and cryptorchidism [8] .
Representatives of this breed can easily adapt to life in the apartment. Being restless and wayward, in education require perseverance and patience. Care is reduced to regular brushing, and it is often not recommended to wash the dog [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Krukov V. Dogs. The most complete encyclopedia . - M .: Eksmo, 2013 .-- S. 240. - 464 p. - ISBN 978-5-699-59539-6 .
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 Mishchi O. Spitz Family // Friend: Journal. - 2007. - No. 5 (160). - S. 37. - ISSN 1609-0527 .
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ITALIAN VOLPINO. FCI-Standard No. 195 Federation Cynologique Internationale. Date of treatment November 8, 2017.
- ↑ FCI breeds nomenclature. VOLPINO ITALIANO (195 ) . Federation Cynologique Internationale. Date of treatment November 8, 2017.
- ↑ Volpino Italiano. Official UKC Breed Standard . United Kennel Club. Date of treatment November 8, 2017.
- ↑ Pugnetti G. Simon & Schuster's Guide to Dogs / EM Schuller. - N. Y. , 1980. - P. 265. - 448 p.
- ↑ Pocket Genius: Dogs. Facts at your fingertips / N. Gupta, C. Stamps. - N. Y .: DK Publishing, 2016 .-- P. 56. - 160 p. - ISBN 978-1-4654-4585-8 .
- ↑ Michel B. Rubini. Volpino Italiano Health Around the World . Date of treatment November 8, 2017.