Italian Volpino - Origins, characteristics and care
The Italian Volpine It is one of the most beloved races in the country transalpin And one of the oldest, because there are already representations of that race in paintings of the early 16th century, with an appearance practically equal to the current one.
- Size: small, 25 to 30 cm
- Weight: between 4 and 5 kilos
- Hair type: long and thick. Very strong
- Character: docile, cheerful and awake
- Health: Very robust, although it tends to gain weight
- Life expectancy: 15 years, but it is not uncommon for reaching 18
Origins of Italian Volpine
Contrary to what happens with other small breeds, which have moved away a lot from what the dogs were centuries ago, the Italian Volpine does look like a dog "from those of before", but of small size.
The first news we have of him date from the fifteenth century and already In the XVI we see a picture of the artist Vitore Carpaccio, in which it seems that this Italian fox, another of the names with which it is known in Italy, is about to get the attention of St. Augustine with a bark.
It is known that it was Miguel Ángel's pet and has always been a dog of the notable people, even helping in the tasks of the mastiffs, barking and notifying these Molosoides, who were responsible for scarving intruders.
Despite how popular they have always been, to The middle of the last century were close to extinction, although now they have already recovered, being as a memory of that time the almost disappearance of the red color variety.
Characteristics of the Italian Volpine
We are facing a company dog of the most typical, small size (around 25 cm) and a very content weight (4-5 kilos), which makes it an ideal pet when living on a floor.
He has pointed ears and always carries the cool tail on his back, which gives him a very peculiar appearance. In fact, in the exhibitions the specimens that have the tail near the neck are appreciated once.
His hair is another characteristic that distinguishes the Italian volpine from other races, which is thick, long and straight. Although it seems that it is rough, when we touch it we notice that it is very silky and has two layers like all the types of type Spitz.
Two colors are admitted. The milky white, which is the one that has been imposed, and the red, which is barely seen and that makes the volpins confuse with The Pomeranias.
Italian volpine character
He is a affectionate animal, with great attachment to his family and very alive. The normal thing is that they are sociable and although there are specimens that are more distrustful, they will almost always look for people's pampering, even if they do not know them.
Also He loves playing, so he is the ideal partner of the little ones Being tireless, because you have no problems being having fun with children, thus spending their enormous energy.
It is not easily scared, and because in the past it was used in order to monitor farms you have to know that it tends to bark, which means if we live in a floor of those that is not well soundproofed.
Italian Volpine Education
His liveliness makes him a dog that is educated very easily, especially if we make short ten minutes sessions. In them we can use in our favor their natural tendency to game to teach you how to behave.
In fact, thanks to this and that is very active, You can go to Agility's tracks, where he will stand out in the Mini variety and we will have a great time, getting part of the energy it has.
Since childhood it is convenient to socialize with people and dogs, since although it is sociable, it is true that some specimens are not so much because they have been used in the farm guard and centuries ago.
Thus, as soon as I can go out (once the vaccine cycle is completed) it is best to see other dogs and people, listen to noises, etc.
The main inconvenience when educating it is the barking, since it is a very serious difficulty if we live in a floor, because it will bring us problems with the neighbors, who can even report us.
We can avoid this with the training in positive, giving it awards when it stops barking, so that you associate the shut up with something good, so it will bark less or stop bothering as soon as we give the order.
Here a very economical article called “Clickker” will help us, which can be found in all animal stores and that is a sheet that makes a “click” that gives it its name.
When the Volpino begins to bark we are telling him to stop and as soon as he does, even if he wants and not because we have told him, we click and give him with a candy.
Soon the association of the click and the prize does, so as soon as he hears it will listen to us. As the weeks transcur, you will not need to hear the click and will obey the verbal orders.
Italian Volpine Health
Like any Spitz type breed, the Italian Volpino is a very healthy animal to be a rustic dog that Live without problems up to 15 years, being very frequent that they reach 18 and even at 20.
Yes, there is a genetic disease that affects them and is called the primary dislocation of the lens, which can lead to a glaucoma and leave the affected eye blind.
In order to avoid this, go to breeders who certify that this disease is not present in its specimens, which is possible today thanks to genetic and DNA analysis.
There are no more specific diseases, although You have to be vigilant with overweight, because it tends to eat too much, so much that it fails to spend all those calories despite how active it is.
For the rest, vaccines, deworming and annual reviews that have to be done to any dog that live with us must be enough.
Italian Volpine care
It is very simple to take care of and thanks to your iron health you will give us little work if we except the hair, which like every long mantle dog will require our attention.
You have to brush it several times a week, although if we are not going to any exhibition with him you can cut his hair from time to time, never shave him, because he would lose his essence and his special appearance.
In the canine hairdressing that we have closer they will know how to advise on these partial cuts, which will avoid work and prevent the appearance of knots, although it is best to spend time combing it, which will strengthen ties with our dog.
You also have to be careful with the feed that we give you. Because of his tendency to gain weight, it is best to speak with the veterinarian, seeing the possibility of giving specific food for obese dogs, with more fiber than usual, in order to take it before.
This I think it must be of quality, forgetting those who sell in supermarkets And that only cause medium -term health problems to dogs, because they bring vegetable flours and animal waste such as peaks or chickens.
Adopt an Italian Volpine
Although he no longer has a danger of extinguishing, The Italian Volpino is not a dog too widespread, especially outside its borders. Therefore, finding one to adopt will be very complicated in Spain.
Yes it is more feasible in Italy, something that is also very simple, because the protectors announce the animals they have through the Internet, so that without moving from home it is possible to see those available.
Another thing will be to convince the Italian protector to give us a dog To take it to another country, although they have many animals waiting to be adopted, they may access, in exchange for sending regular photos, veterinarian reports, etc.
In the event that we are fortunate to be able to adopt one, we are going to take a dog with centuries of history, which has been in the classrooms of noble people who in farms keeping properties, always with the help of the mastiffs.
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