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title: "Italian Volpino - temperament, price, health, breeders | Pedibase"
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+2
Dogs
# The Italian Volpino: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Italy
Small lively Italian Spitz, affectionate and always alert.
Size SmallLife expectancy 13–15 yearsBudget ≈ €81/monthPuppy €900 – €1,100
[Find a breeder 2](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=italian-volpino)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Good
First-time owners Good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Affectionate companion: He is very attached to his family and enjoys real day-to-day closeness.
- Natural vigilance: His alert instinct makes him a small dog attentive to unusual movements and noises.
- Practical size: His small size makes it easier to live together in homes of various sizes if his outings are ensured.
- Easy barking: His vigilance may lead him to frequently signal what is happening around him.
- Heavy shedding: His abundant coat requires more brushing during seasonal changes.
- Sensitivity to heat: His thick coat makes him less comfortable during high temperatures.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families often at home: He enjoys sharing household life and benefits greatly from regular interactions with those close to him.
- Active owners: He is suited to people able to provide outings, play, and mental stimulation every day.
- Well-managed small spaces: His size allows for apartment living if exercise and training are sufficient.
Not recommended for
- People who are often absent: A lack of presence and interaction can encourage boredom, vocalizations, and discomfort.
- Households looking for a very quiet dog: Its alert temperament is not suited to people wanting a companion that is not very vocal.
- Sedentary owners: It needs daily activity and does not thrive in an overly passive routine.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
28 cmItalian Volpino
- Height at the withers
- 25–30 cm
- Weight
- 4–5 kg
- Coat
- Long, abundant
- FCI group
- 5
- Origin
- Italy
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Italian Volpino in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Volpino Italiano descends from the European Spitz, already present on the continent since the Bronze Age according to fossil discoveries. Developed in Italy for a very long time, it was first appreciated by the nobility before becoming a sought-after companion in more modest households, notably in Tuscany and Lazio. A representative of the breed appears in The Vision of Saint Augustine by Vittore Carpaccio and tradition has it that Michelangelo also kept a Volpino Italiano. A first standard was written in 1913 and the FCI standard currently in force was published in 2015.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Volpino Italiano is a small Spitz-type dog, compact, harmonious and almost inscribable in a square. Its coat is dense, very long, straight and abundant, with a pronounced ruff around the neck. The head has a pyramid shape, the ears are triangular and well erect, the dark brown round eyes express a lot of liveliness and the tail, set high, is carried permanently curled over the back. The coat is solid white or red, the champagne shade being only tolerated.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Affectionate with its family, the Italian Volpino is a cheerful, lively and very playful companion dog. It shows itself attached to its loved ones while keeping a real vigilance as a small alert guardian. Its exuberant and awake temperament makes it a pleasant companion for owners who are present and involved.
Affectionate Playful
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Italian Volpino adapts to many living environments, including family life, provided it benefits from daily outings and regular interactions. Energetic without being hyperactive, it likes to move, play and explore its environment. It appreciates a house with a well-fenced garden, but can live in an apartment if its physical and mental needs are met. Its alert instinct easily leads it to signal unusual noises or approaches.
Training
## Training and socialization
Intelligent and strong-willed, the Italian Volpino learns the basics properly if its training is both firm, consistent and caring. Encouragement, rewards and early socialization clearly make learning easier. It responds better to positive handling than to any form of brutality.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Italian Volpino
The Volpino Italiano falls within the classic range for a small purebred dog from a reputable breeder. To the purchase price are then added the expenses for food, veterinary prevention, accessories and routine coat maintenance.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/italian-volpino/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Volpino Italiano is overall a robust and resilient dog. Its breed is not among the most fragile, but regular monitoring remains useful, particularly for the eyes and joints. Preventive veterinary follow-up and regular care help maintain its good overall condition.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/italian-volpino/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Volpino Italiano needs a quality diet providing all the nutrients necessary for its age, its size and its activity level. A regular and well-adapted ration supports its energy, the quality of its coat and the maintenance of its ideal weight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/italian-volpino/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Italian Volpino is also known by the names Volpino Italiano, Italian Spitz, Florentine Spitz, Cane de Guirinale or Quirinal Dog. This ancient Italian breed has long appealed to both families and historical personalities thanks to its elegant appearance, its alert expression and its constant vigilance.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Italian Volpino
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Italian Volpino live in an apartment?
Yes, provided that he goes out every day, plays regularly with him, and channels his vocalizations. His small size helps, but he should not be reduced to an overly sedentary life.
### Does the Italian Volpino shed a lot?
His shedding remains moderate for much of the year, but seasonal shedding periods can be very pronounced. More frequent brushing during these periods is therefore necessary.
### Is the Italian Volpino easy to train?
He learns fairly well if one remains consistent, patient, and positive. His intelligence is adequate, but his liveliness and alert nature require consistency from a very young age.
### Is the Italian Volpino suitable as a first dog?
He may be suitable for a motivated, present first-time owner who is ready to invest in training, outings, and coat care. He is not the most demanding, but neither is he a completely passive dog.
## Find a Italian Volpino breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Italian Volpino breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Italian Volpino breeders by country
[15 breeders of Italian Volpino in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino/italy) [8 breeders of Italian Volpino in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino/denmark) [4 breeders of Italian Volpino in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino/finland) [2 breeders of Italian Volpino in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino) [1 breeder of Italian Volpino in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino/germany)
[All breeders of Italian Volpino in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino)
## Ready to welcome a Italian Volpino?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-volpino)
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