10 most beautiful Italian dog breeds

Neopolitan Mastiff

This is a fairly powerful and gigantic dog, which impresses with its height of up to 75 cm at the withers and weight of up to 70 kg. This breed dates its history back to the times of the fighting dogs of ancient Rome. This particular breed was bred for protection and protection. But, despite its devotion to the owner and weak aggressiveness, the dog is very dangerous for those who pose a danger. It should not be owned by families with small children, because the animal is heavy and oversized.

Bolognese: Italian dogs

The Bolognese dog or bichón bolognese is a breed of Italian dog of the Bichon family. Its origin is in the Bologna region. This small dog usually attracts attention with its bulging eyes and extremely white and woolly coat. Although they are not very popular outside of Italy and are quite difficult to find, these fluffy puppies make great companion dogs for people of all ages.

In their family core, Italian Bolognese dogs are very affectionate and protective of their loved ones. When they are trained correctly with positive reinforcement, they can be very intelligent and obedient. However, this breed of Italian dog tends to be more reserved in the presence of people and animals that do not. I do not know this circumstance, which can cause nervousness in this dog breed, can cause barking. Therefore, despite this breed being small in size and docile, the importance of their socialization should not be neglected.

Origin story

The Italian Braccus is considered one of the oldest pointing dogs. The first mentions of it were found in the 4th-5th centuries.

What were Bracco Italiano used for?

Australian Kelpie (dog breed): description

Dogs of this breed were most often used in hunting. They became especially popular in the Middle Ages in Italy. These dogs were bred by such celebrities as Medici and Gonzaga. The Italian Braccus is a dog that was often used for bird hunting.

Note! The love for dogs as hunters also increased because they brought game without damaging it at all.

The influence of the Italian Braccus on other types of dogs

The Italian Bracket had a rather serious influence on the development of other breeds of gun dogs. Almost all of the following types take on some of the characteristics of a given dog (German, French Braque, etc.). The only exceptions are quite old breeds - Portuguese Pointer, Weymoraner, Vizsla, and some types of spaniels.

The entry of Italian bracca to the international level

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed in 1956, and the first standard was adopted in 1949 in Italy. The English Kennel Club recognized the Italian Braccus in 2000.

For your information! Clubs in the USA, despite the high popularity of the breed, still do not recognize it and classify it as a rare species.

Popularization of Bracco Italiano

Currently in Italy this breed is the most common of all gun types. The Italian Bracket often appears at sled dog races, various rings and shows, and exhibitions. In 1989, the dogs were brought to the UK. However, recently the breed is often found in the West. Dogs have become very popular in the USA.

The impact of industrialization on Bracco Italiano

The Brakk is a dog breed that was rapidly developing even before the advent of firearms. Bird hunting was very popular in Europe at that time. Falcons and nets were used for this purpose. With the advent of guns, they were no longer needed. However, now the hunters had to look for the killed prey themselves. Hunting dogs were used at that time for flushing and searching for killed game. Therefore, the Italiano Bracco began to be used more often, and the breed gradually became the oldest of the hunting ones.

Italian Bracchis are passionate and love to hunt.

Origin

Italian dog owners obtained the Bolognese breed by crossing lapdogs from the island of Malta with poodles of the dwarf variety. It was from the poodle that the Bolognese Bichon received its wavy, thick coat. Representatives of the breed were happily introduced into wealthy homes in Italy. It was fashionable and spoke of the high social status of the owner.

In the 16th century, Italian lap dogs found their way to France, where they quickly became popular. It is known that the Marquise de Pompadour, influential at the royal court, was a great lover of these dogs. Two centuries later, several Italian lap dogs were presented as a gift to Catherine II. Since they were given by the French ambassador, the dogs in Russia are also called French lapdogs. Italian lapdogs are still popular today. Small, cheerful and friendly dogs have charm and leave no one indifferent.

Bolognese, or French lapdog

Well, nothing connects this dog with this breed and the Russian name. Most likely, the kennel club, either out of ignorance or mistakes, gave it such a name. As for the breed itself, it is completely artificial and was bred in the northern part of Italy, namely in the province called Bologna. By nature, they are very attached, sometimes even excessively. Due to the fact that this breed is a purely indoor animal, its dimensions are not significant up to 30 cm, but up to 7 kg. At the same time, care is also appropriate.

Where to buy a puppy

The breed is very small in number; there are several hundred wolf dogs in the world. In Italy they are under state protection, and breeding is also strictly controlled. Every year the government allocates an amount to finance the Association of Italian Wolfdog Breeders (Associazione degli Affidatari Allevatori del Lupo Italiano, (AALI)) which has the exclusive right to breed. All this is necessary to avoid the commercialization of the breed and preserve its unique working qualities.

Price

According to some sources, the price of a real lupo Italiano puppy is 50,000 euros.

Health and life expectancy

In general, Italian Braccas are distinguished by good health and live up to 13 years, and sometimes more. The breed is characterized by the development of certain diseases:

eye diseases;
ear diseases;
problems with joints (hip, elbow);
kidney pathologies;
gastric volvulus;
von Willebrand's disease.

Note! With proper care and timely prevention, diseases and other problems can be avoided. It is worth remembering regular vaccination and antiparasitic prevention.

Italian Greyhound

The Little Italian Racer , also known as the Italian Greyhound, is the smallest of all greyhound breeds recognized today. At the adult stage, these dogs usually do not exceed 38 centimeters at the cross. They also reach an average body weight of 2.5 to 4 kg. However, their bodies have well-developed muscles, which allows them to reach great speeds while running. Did you know that this dog breed is also considered one of the 5 smallest dog breeds in the world?

Unfortunately, these small Italian Greyhounds were subjected to a process of selective breeding (dwarfism): mainly between the 19th and 20th centuries. This selective breeding was carried out for the sole purpose of producing smaller whips in order to distinguish them from other similar breeds...

This selective breeding has had a negative impact on the health and appearance of the Italian Greyhound. Such effects include: dwarfism, problems with reproduction and fertility, genetic defects, weak immune system and others. Currently, many professional breeders have dedicated their time and work to reverse these negative effects, attempting to restore this Italian dog breed to optimal health.

If you find this hound dog interesting, we recommend taking a look at our list of greyhound dogs.

Maremmo-Ambruzzese Shepherd Dog

This is a fairly ancient breed of large dogs that have excessive dignity. They are not aggressive, but have all the necessary guard qualities and are mobile. At the same time, because of their pride, it is better for already experienced people to own such a breed, and this fact must be taken into account when training. The dog's height reaches up to 73 cm and weight up to 45 kg.

Maremmo-Abruzzese Shepherd Dog (Maremmo)

A large, good-natured and fluffy representative of the Maremmo breed has ancient Italian roots; this breed can be classified as a Roman dog. This Italian dog always behaves with dignity, is vigilant and careful, ready to protect its owner if necessary. The breed is not recommended as the first dog in the family, since achieving results in its training requires experience; the Maremmo must feel the unshakable authority of the owner, otherwise the stateliness and pride of the dog may not benefit its owner.

The dog is quite large, the height of these fluffy beauties at the withers reaches 73 cm, the weight range is 35-45 kilograms. Initially bred as an independent guard dog for a flock of sheep from wolves, it has now lost its function, but its character has remained unchanged. Independence is the most important thing you need to know about the breed, the dog will love you, but Hachiko will not make it.

The Maremmo is distinguished by its coarse white coat and muscular, hardy body. Well suited for a large family and living in a private home. He will not take part in games, but he loves to be around people, perhaps considering his household members to be a herd that they have been entrusted with protecting.

Lagotto Romagnolo

This breed of dog was mentioned back in the 16th century. This species was highly respected as a hunter on the water. After all, it has a unique impenetrable undercoat, and their sense of smell very often helped in finding truffles. They are loyal and kind towards their family, but they do not particularly like strangers. The growth of such creatures reaches up to 48 kg, and they can gain up to 16 kg in weight.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before summing up, it is worth adding up the information that was presented above, and still understand what are the advantages of Italian geese? What are their shortcomings?

Among the advantages:

The percentage of fertilization, ease and efficiency in the incubation period and, of course, excellent survival of the young.
The ability to mate a female with other breeds of geese to obtain a larger and more plump carcass.
Fast weight gain.
High quality meat.
High quality down.
Unpretentiousness.
Egg production.
It is not necessary to have a body of water close to the house.
Attractiveness and beauty in appearance.

If you look at the list of advantages and compare it with the disadvantages, you can easily understand that the advantages outweigh. Cons below:

The influence of the survival instinct in geese is rather weak.
Aggression of ganders towards geese of other breeds. Their character is in no way compatible with cohabitation with other breeds, as well as birds.

After reading the two lists, it is easy to draw a conclusion about Italian geese.

Nutrition

Italian Braccas are unpretentious eaters . They can eat both premium dry dog food and natural products. If the dog eats natural food, then it is important that it is based on proteins - lean meats, boiled fish. The diet should also include:

Milk and cottage cheese.
Eggs.
Vegetables, greens.
Porridge (rice, wheat, oatmeal).

The dog must have constant access to drinking water. These dogs are quite gluttonous and if you do not watch the portions, the dog may suffer from obesity.

It is not advisable to feed table scraps, since salt and other spices and seasonings are contraindicated for the dog. Also, the diet should not contain:

Sweets and pastries.
Smoked and marinated dishes.
Tubular bones.

Content Features

The Italian wolf is energetic and hardy, it is not afraid of adverse weather conditions. Better suited for year-round outdoor living. Service dogs are kept in enclosures. Wolfdogs that are bred as companion dogs adapt well to life in the home.

The Italian wolf is unpretentious in terms of food and care. To maintain a neat appearance, the owner only needs to comb the coat occasionally. And also periodically inspect the ears for contamination and perform anti-parasite treatments.

Cane Corso

This is the only completely Italian breed that is 100%. In translation, its name sounds like – protector. According to myths and predictions, this particular dog is depicted in the tombs of ancient Rome. They are kind-hearted by nature, but if they offend their owner or family, then the offender will receive in full. After all, they also carry the blood of gladiator animals, who killed lions, tigers and bears in the arena. It is highly recommended to have this breed in a family with small children. Their height reaches 68 cm, and they gain weight up to 50 kg.

Italian Greyhound – Italian Greyhound

“Nothing beautiful is alien to us” - this is what the ancient Romans thought when they bred Italian greyhounds in their palaces. Graceful and loyal, relentlessly following their owner. The Italians bred Italian Greyhounds not only for beauty; the small, but well-proportioned, smooth-haired mini-hound is suitable for hunting hares and rabbits. The history of the breed begins in Ancient Egypt, but active breeding began in Rome.

Now the breed is not widely popular among average owners, but is highly valued as a sporting breed. The Italian Greyhound has a track record of speed over short distances.

IMPORTANT: the breed is characterized by brittle bones; keeping them in homes with small children is not acceptable.

Italian dog breeds can be divided into guard, hunting and companion dogs. In different historical periods, certain qualities were valued among dogs, some of which have lost relevance for large breeds, but small companion dogs, on the contrary, are valued more and more in the modern world. In any case, when choosing a friend for yourself and your family, you should pay special attention to Italian breeds. Good health, deep historical roots and incredible beauty of the dogs’ exterior will not leave any breeder indifferent.

Dog care

The owner of an Italian Lapdog will have to regularly devote time to grooming his pet. Long hair needs constant attention and must be brushed daily, sometimes several times a day. However, if the owner prefers to give his dog haircuts, caring for him is greatly simplified.

Haircuts are best left to a professional. They are carried out as the fur grows. As a rule, groomers shorten the coat, creating clearer body contours for the pet. The wishes of the owner are also taken into account. Additionally, a hygienic haircut is carried out - the dog’s paw pads and groin area are shaved.

At the same time, caring for the Bolognese's coat is quite possible at home. To do this you will need some tools. First of all, these are various brushes, scissors, a furminator, and possibly a tangle cutter.

Bathing procedures are an important part of caring for Bolognese. It is recommended to wash it 1-2 times a month. Since the coat tends to get dirty and tangled, it is highly advisable to purchase dog shampoo (whitening is possible) and conditioner. It is necessary to rinse each strand to avoid tangles.

Show Bologneses are not cut. They are carefully combed with combs and washed. Visually, the dog should be well-groomed and have a natural coat shape.

From time to time, you will most likely have to trim your dog’s nails, since long walks are not expected, which means they will not naturally wear down on a flat surface. This is a simple procedure and can be done at home. To do this you will need a nail clipper and a special file.

Read more about dog care on the pages of our website.

Maintenance and care

The Cane Corso dog breed is considered easy to care for. A dog can feel comfortable both in an apartment and in a country house, but it is impossible to keep a freedom-loving animal on a chain.

Puppies should be purchased from trusted breeders at the age of 1.5 months.

It is important to consider several points:

The dog gets used to a certain territory. It is impossible to first accustom a dog to living in an apartment and then move it to a kennel - the animal will not understand why it was punished;
The dog needs regular physical activity, training, walks in specialized areas, and jogging. This will take a lot of strength and energy from the owner. If dogs are not given the opportunity to release energy, they may begin to damage furniture and carpets in the house;
Corsos are very sociable, so you can give them the opportunity to play with other dogs.

Dogs have short hair, but nevertheless, it is necessary to comb it with a stiff brush at least a couple of times a week, but better - every day. You should not wash it very often, as it gets dirty, most often - once every 3-4 months. But puppies should be accustomed to the procedure; it is almost impossible to subject an adult dog to water procedures for the first time.

Important! Corso has no undercoat, so there is a high risk of fleas or other skin parasites, so treatment is necessary in the summer .

And don’t forget about regular ear cleaning, especially if they are cropped. If the dog takes long walks, the nails wear down on their own and do not need trimming.

If the owner plans to take part in international exhibitions with his dog, it is not worth docking the ears and tail. But for Russian exhibitions and for using the Corso as a guard or a pet, docking is possible. This simple operation is performed at the age of 3-4 months . If the tail is not docked, there is a high risk of injury. Short ears give the dog a fighting and decisive appearance, but long ears are also quite appropriate and safe.

Important! The older the puppy, the more painful the docking procedure is for him. .

If the ears have not been cropped, they should be massaged for normal formation of the auricles.

Spinone Italian

This breed originated in medieval Italy. But this breed is very popular in Italy because it is an excellent hunter; as for popularity outside the country, it is very low. By nature, this is a very fighting and strong dog. But she also doesn’t mind having fun with the kids. Their height reaches up to 70 cm and weight up to 37 kg.

Choosing a puppy

In the Spinone’s homeland, Italy, an average puppy (and even a promising one) can be purchased relatively inexpensively - up to a thousand euros, but in our country such a dog will cost twice as much. But delivery and paperwork will cost you about the same amount of money, and keep in mind that transporting such a large puppy is always hardship, risk and stress for the dog. The only advantage from such an enterprise is that you will have the opportunity to bring in fresh blood, which is important for the development of the breed.

The Spinone puppy is exclusive both in appearance and in character

It is impossible to confuse a Spinone puppy with anyone else - even its closest canine “brother”, the Drathaar, is radically different from it. As for a hunting dog familiar to the eye, Italian Griffon puppies are unusually bony and large - at three months they can weigh up to fifteen kilograms. At this age, when the “baby” is usually taken to a new home, one can clearly see the breed’s special coat - almost wiry with a complete absence of undercoat.

Pay attention to the breed's coat and "facial expression" of the little Spinone

And, of course, pay attention to this expressive, incomparable look - it is no coincidence that the Spinone Italiano is called “a dog with a human face”!

Video: Italian Griffon puppies

Volpino Italiano

The Volpino Italiano is a miniature dog breed native to Italy. In appearance, the Volpino is similar to the German Spitz. There is also a slight resemblance to the Pomeranian Lulu. Volpino Italianos are famous for their unusually loud barks. Dogs of this breed are cheerful and energetic. Their noble appearance will not leave even the most callous person indifferent. The animal easily adapts to urban conditions. The height at the withers is 25-30 cm. Weight is up to 4.5 kg.

Characteristics of appearance

A distinctive feature of the appearance of Bolognese dogs is the dazzling white color of their coat. The breed standard allows for a yellowish tint on the ears, but individuals with a pure white color are valued higher. The animal's fur is thick, wavy, and long. It is silky to the touch and very pleasant. The size of the lap dogs is small: the height at the withers of males is 28-30 cm, for females - 25 cm. Weight does not exceed 4 kg (on average 2.5-3.5 kg).

The dog's head is round and medium in size. On the white fur of the muzzle, round large eyes and a large black nose (button) stand out. The dog's ears are drooping, almost entirely hidden in thick fur. In appearance, the lapdog resembles a children's toy. The body shape is square. The back is straight, leading to a lowered croup. The paws are straight, the pads and claws are black. The tail is medium length, straight.

Italian bracque

The history of the breed is unknown. But dog handlers began restoring the population back in the 30s of the last century. And all this is due to excellent hunting characteristics. As for guard use, she is not at all suitable because of her kindness and curiosity. The animal is practically unable to bear loneliness. Their height reaches 67 cm and weight up to 40 kg.

Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a powerful giant that amazes with its size; height at withers – 65–75 cm, weight – 60–70 kg. The breed originates from the fighting dogs of Ancient Rome. She was bred specifically for protection. This loyal and non-aggressive dog is a wonderful protector and loyal friend. The animal is not suitable for families with small children due to its weight and large dimensions.

Breed training

The training of Italian pointers, like all dogs, begins from a very early age. The specifics of training will depend on what you want to get out of your pet in the end. These dogs are very smart and learn quickly. Of course, they have stubbornness, but with good contact with the owner, such a trait is not significant. These animals cannot stand cruel upbringing, as they are very vulnerable. They should not be punished physically. Only affection, praise, gentleness and constancy will give “golden shoots”.

Character and behavior

Unlike many other hybrids, such as the Saarlos dog, Italian wolves are working working dogs. They have a better sense of smell and stamina than German Shepherds and are more trainable than other wolfdogs.

In Italy, many Lupo Italianos live in nurseries of various services, which use them for rescue and search work. Some dogs work for the police. Others are simply pets, companions and good family dogs.

The Italian Wolfdog has a very independent and strong character. He is distrustful of strangers, but becomes very attached to the owner, with whom he forms a strong emotional connection. With proper upbringing and training, he is quite obedient, but in atypical situations he can do as he sees fit. Has a pronounced territorial instinct. If necessary, he will defend his “pack” and territory at the cost of his life. Pressure training is not very effective with Italian Wolfdogs.

Bergamasco Shepherd

One of the most ancient and respected breeds. The dog has earned such popularity thanks to its unique woolen coat. After all, she looks like she has dreadlocks instead of fur.

Even despite the fact that the dog was bred for work, it became a friend and companion for people. The dog gets along well with children and loves both physical and mental exercise. The dog's height can reach up to 60 cm and weight up to 38 kg. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for an apartment.

See also on our website the top 20 most expensive dogs

Characteristics of Bracco Italiano

The main breed characteristics are enshrined in standard No. 202 of the International Canine Federation, the latest edition of which dates back to 2015. In the classification of the organization, Braccos are assigned to the 7th group “Cops” and the 1st section “Continental Cops”. Representatives are distinguished by a strong and harmonious body structure, visually they are quite large. The weight of an adult is 25–40 kg, and the height at the withers is 55–62 cm for females and 58–67 cm for males. The official document indicates the only purpose of the breed - hunting.

The Italian Braccus is a hunting dog whose main purpose is to track and bring back game birds.

The appearance of the Italian cop is quite specific; it is easy to recognize thanks to its typical features:

the dog's head is angular, with a noticeable convexity of the forehead and occipital protuberance;
the nose is large, correlates with the coat color and can be of any shade from pinkish flesh to dark brown;
limbs are tall, preferably thin and with well-developed muscles;
the eyes are in a medium position (not deep, do not protrude), rather large, with an iris in shades of brown, but not too light;
the ears are long, drooping (should reach the tip of the nose without stretching), their width should be at least half of the length;
One of the features of the breed is long and wide drooping ears located on the sides of the head.
the line of the spine should be straight and only slightly rounded closer to the tail;
the body is toned, with a broad chest and well-developed muscles;
the tail is thick at the base and is positioned horizontally when the animal moves. According to tradition, it is often docked, leaving 15–25 cm;
the limbs are strong, muscular, oval-shaped paws with claws curved towards the ground.

Compliance with proportions is especially valued in representatives. Thus, the length of the body should correspond to or be only slightly greater than the height at the withers, and the length of the head should be 0.4 of this figure.

Despite the rather large body, the movements of the Bracco Italiano are free and fast, with a powerful push and a large scope. The fur covering the dog's body is short, thick and shiny. According to the standard, the main color is white with spots of different sizes or specks, which can be from light to dark brown. This is the most preferred option, but the dog can also be one color (white or chestnut). A symmetrical mask on the face is welcome, but its absence is not considered a big disadvantage.

The movements of Italian braccas are sweeping and strong.

The character and psyche of the Bracques

Bracco Italiano is an energetic and calm dog, but not without stubbornness. Dogs of this breed are well trained and, with the right approach, are obedient and respectful towards their owner. They are friendly and get along well with both children and other pets in the same home.

Representatives of the breed are excellent companions, they are smart and loyal. They simply need significant physical activity and activity, so they become very animated when they find themselves in an open area and get the opportunity to run around to their heart's content. At its core, he is a passionate hunter with excellent instincts, so he must be given the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities, at least in training.

In raising such a dog, it is important to exclude cruel and rude attitudes; cops are very sensitive. If a balanced dog is offended, he can become uncontrollable. A similar outcome can occur in the absence of regular and intense physical activity. For this reason, it is better for an experienced person to start an Italian marriage; a beginner who is not familiar with the characteristics of cops may not be able to cope.

Disadvantages and disqualifications

Any deviation from the standard is considered a minus, and its impact is greater the more pronounced it is. The following are considered serious problems:

malocclusion;
a large amount of excess skin, which causes unnecessary folds to form on the head;
height deviation of more than 2 cm, both downward and upward.

Significant deviations from the norms are grounds for disqualifying a dog:

impaired psyche, excessive aggression or, conversely, cowardice;
split nose;
incorrect location of the craniofacial bones;
everted eyelid;
black color on the coat, tri-color;
albinism (congenital absence of the pigment melanin, which causes the skin and fur to have no color).

Maremmo-Abruzzese Shepherd Dog

Maremmo is an ancient Italian dog breed. This is an active, large-built animal that always carries itself with special dignity. The dog is not characterized by aggression, although the Maremmo has all the guard qualities: fearlessness, caution and vigilance. Since dogs of this breed are proud, experts do not recommend getting a Maremmo for beginners. And the animal’s independence will complicate the already difficult educational process. Their height reaches 65–73 cm, weight 35–45 kg.