Italy is, without a doubt, a mandatory destination for those interested in understanding our contemporary civilization and culture, as well as being dazzled by its art and gastronomy. However, the country that has witnessed the heyday and defeat of the Roman Empire, is also surprising for the number of canine breeds originating from its soil.
Currently, the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana - ENCI) recognizes 16 Italian dog breedsFrom a small M altese to a giant Neapolitan mastiff, the "country of the boot" has provided us with very special and striking dogs, both for their remarkable beauty and marked personality, as well as for their well-developed senses and remarkable abilities.
Do you want to know more about the Italian dog breeds? So, we invite you to continue reading this Animal Expert article to learn about the 10 most popular dog breeds from Italy in the world.
1. Neapolitan mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff (Mastino Napoletano) is a large dog, with a robust and solid body, well-developed muscles and powerful jaws. Some of their most striking physical features are the numerous wrinkles and folds that these dogs exhibit on their heads and the multiple dewlaps that form on their necks.
It is a very friendly dog and loyal to his guardians, but at the same time reveals a firm, determined and somewhat independent characterDespite its imposing presence, the Neapolitan Mastiff can be very social with other dogs and enjoy very positive interaction with children, provided they are properly educated and early socialized.
Although they are not particularly active dogs, mastiffs must do a good dose of daily physical activity to manage a he althy weight and maintain a balanced behavior. In addition, these large Italian dogs need the attention of their relatives and feel part of a family nucleus in order to enjoy a happy life and optimally develop their physical, cognitive, emotional and social abilities. When away from loved ones or spending long hours alone, these big guys can develop destructive behaviors and symptoms of stress.
1. The Italian M altese
The M altese is a toy-sized dog that is characterized by its long and silky coat of an entirely white color, which requires brushing regularly to keep it free of impurities and avoid the formation of knots and tangles. Although it has been recognized as an Italian dog breed, the origins of the M altese are associated not only with Italy and the island of M alta , but also to the island of Mljet, in Croatia
These furry little ones require constant attention from their guardians and are always willing to receive their cuddles, go for a walk or play with their favorite toys. They do not like being alone at all and can suffer from numerous behavioral problems, as well as separation anxiety if they are left alone at home for a long time. Therefore, if you were looking for a more independent dog, it is better to lean towards another breed or to know the advantages of adopting a mixed-breed dog.
3. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso, also known as the Italian Mastiff, is one of the most recognized Italian dogs worldwide. It is a medium-large sized dog, exhibiting a muscular and very strong body , with well-defined lines and remarkable elegance. These imposing dogs reveal a well-defined and independent personality, being very protective in relation to their territory and their family. Therefore, early socialization will be essential to teach him to relate positively with other dogs, with people and with his own environment, as well as giving him the possibility of enjoying a proper social life.
As a highly athletic and energetic dog, the Italian Mastiff is often best suited to individuals and active families who enjoy outdoor activities free. They also require patience and experience in their learning process, which is why it is more recommended for experienced tutors who have the necessary time and knowledge in basic obedience to train them and promote their cognitive and emotional development.
4. Italian Shorthaired Pointer
The Italian Pointer, also known as the Italian Pointer, is an ancient dog that most likely originated in Northern Italy and was already portrayed during the Middle Ages. Historically, these furry ones have been used to hunt birds, first with nets and then with firearms. Today it is one of Italy's national pointers, along with the Italian spinone.
Italy pointers are strong, robust and resistant dogs, whose physical build is vigorous without losing the harmony of their features. Although they are not as popular outside their country of origin, they are excellent companion dogs due to their docile character, their predisposition to training and the devotion they show for their relatives. Of course, they must be socialized from puppies and educated correctly to avoid excessive barking and facilitate their adaptation to the home routine.
5. The Little Italian Greyhound
The Little Italian Greyhound, also known as the Italian Greyhound, is the smallest of all currently recognized greyhound breeds. In their adult stage, these dogs do not usually exceed 38 centimeters in height at the withers, with an average body weight between 2.5 and 4 kilos. However, their body exhibits well-developed muscles that allow them to reach high speeds when running with remarkable physical resistance.
Unfortunately, little Italian Greyhounds have been subjected to a process of selective breeding of "dwarfing" between the 19th and 20th centuries, with the sole purpose of obtaining smaller and smaller individuals that could be easily differentiated from the Whippet greyhound.
These crosses have had a negative impact on the he alth and on the appearance of the Italian Greyhound, causing dwarfism, reproductive and fertility problems, genetic malformations and weakness in the immune system among others. Today, many professional breeders are dedicated to reversing these negative consequences and restoring this Italian dog breed to optimal he alth.
6. The bolognese dog
The bolognese or Bichon Bolognese is an Italian dog of the Bichon type that, as the name suggests, originated around the Bologna region. It is a dog of small size, which draws attention for its bulging eyes and its entirely white, voluminous and woolly fur. Although not very popular outside of Italy and hard to find, these furry little guys make great companion dogs for people of all ages.
In their family unit, they are Bolognese Bichons who are very affectionate and protective of their loved ones, greatly enjoying playing in their company. When they are trained correctly and in a positive way, they are very intelligent, obedient and predisposed to training. However, they tend to be more reserved in the presence of strange people and animals, and can lead to excessively barking behavior. For this reason, despite its small size and its docility in the daily tract, we must not neglect its socialization.
7. Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog is a rustic medium-sized Italian dog that originated in the Alpine region. One of its most outstanding and characteristic physical features are the locks that form from its long, abundant and rough fur (popularly known as "goat hair"). Their large eyes and sweet, kind facial expressions are also striking.
These dogs are very gentle, versatile, intelligent and willing to work. For this reason, they can be trained very easily and are able to carry out a great variety of tasks and functions with perfection, although they stand out especially in shepherding Its popularity as a herding dog The company has managed to spread to various countries in Europe, however, they are still quite rare to find in the American continent.
8. Lagotto Romagnolo
The lagotto romagnolo is a medium-sized Italian water dog, whose origins and its own name go back to the Romagna region. Historically, they have been used as retrievers in retrieving waterfowl mostly from marshy ground. However, they are also often trained and perform very successfully as truffle detectors.
Of course, its most characteristic physical trait is the traditional dense, woolly, curly coat of water dogs. Regarding its character, it should be noted that the Lagotto Romagnolo is an active and alert dog, with well-developed senses and an excellent vocation for work. Due to their great energy and remarkable intelligence, they need to be stimulated daily both physically and mentally to maintain a balanced behavior and enjoy a happy life.
9. Maremma Shepherd
The Maremma shepherd, also known as Maremmano-Abrucense, is an ancient Italian dog breed that has originated in the central region of Italy. It is a powerful and imposing dog, large in size, with a rustic appearance and abundant white fur. Its appearance is very similar to that of the Pyrenean mountain dog. Traditionally, they have been used to guide and defend herds from attacks by wolves and other predators.
Although they can adapt to the domestic routine as companion dogs, Maramma shepherds need a wide space to develop, express themselves and move freely, as well as greatly enjoying life outdoors. For this reason, it is not an appropriate breed for flats or apartments.
10. Italian Volpino
The volpino italiano is a small, spitz-type dog with a compact body, well-developed muscles and harmonious lines. According to ENCI records, this Italian dog breed has been very close to extinction and, to this day, official breeders are working to recover its population.
Fortunately, due to their playful, lively and loyal character, these little dogs have regained popularity as companion dogs.
Other Italian dog breeds
As we mentioned in the introduction, the ENCI currently recognizes 16 Italian dog breeds, among which we selected the 10 most popular for introduce you in this article. However, we do not want to fail to mention also the other 6 dog breeds originating in Italy that are equally interesting for their unique characteristics and temperament.
For this reason, we add this section to make a special mention of the following breeds of Italian dogs that are also recognized by the National Entity of Italian Cinophilia:
- Cirneco del Etna
- Italian spinone
- Italian Shorthair Hound
- Italian Wirehaired Hound
- Maremma Hound
