Longevity
Life expectancy
With a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years, the Volpino Italiano is one of the small dogs that are rather long-term companions. This longevity is expressed especially in individuals kept at a stable weight, well exercised and regularly monitored for dental, ocular and joint prevention.
Build
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.
Watch points
What to watch for
The health monitoring of the Volpino Italiano relies mainly on observing the eyes, gait and joint comfort. Any eye redness, reduced vision, lameness 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 : The displacement of the lens is a potential emergency for the eye and requires prompt care.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
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
Tendency to gain weight
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.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Brush the coat once to 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 vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Italian Volpino? Like all dogs, the Italian Volpino receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Italian Volpino is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based 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 diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based 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 vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Italian Volpino?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting 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 provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
