Longevity
Life expectancy
With a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years, the Italian Volpino is one of the small dogs with an appreciable longevity. This longevity is expressed especially in individuals kept at a stable weight, well exercised and regularly monitored for dental, ocular and joint prevention.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
The Volpino Italiano shows overall sound robustness. Its abundant coat protects it fairly well from cold and bad weather, but it must not be exposed for long periods to extreme conditions. Its small size also requires staying attentive to impacts, repeated jumps and signs of locomotor discomfort.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
The health vigilance for the Italian Volpino relies mainly on observing the eyes, gait, and joint comfort. Any eye redness, reduced vision, limping, or difficulty jumping deserves a prompt evaluation in order to detect early a progressive condition.
Cataract: A progressive clouding of the lens can impair vision and warrants veterinary monitoring from the first signs.
Patellar luxation: This orthopedic condition can cause lameness, discomfort, or skipping steps and deserves an early evaluation.
Lens luxation: Displacement of the lens is a potential emergency for the eye and requires prompt care.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Thanks to its long, dense coat, the Volpino Italiano tolerates moderate cold rather well. On the other hand, it is less comfortable in high heat and must then have shade, fresh water and activities limited to the mildest hours.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The Volpino Italiano is not especially known for a strong tendency to become overweight, but its small size justifies a well-measured ration. Regular monitoring of its silhouette, limited treats and daily outings help prevent weight gain that would penalize its joints.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Brush the coat once or twice a week and daily during shedding periods.
- Clean the eyes and ears each week to limit the buildup of dirt.
- Monitor vision, gait, and joint comfort daily.
- Brush the teeth regularly to prevent tartar and oral infections.
Vaccination
Italian Volpino vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Italian Volpino need? Like all dogs, Italian Volpinos should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Italian Volpino vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Italian Volpino booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Italian Volpino need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Italian Volpino
An annual veterinary examination, supplemented depending on the dog's profile by ophthalmological and orthopedic monitoring, is relevant in this breed. In case of lineage history or symptoms, a check of the eyes and of patellar stability helps to guide management.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
