Italy is an interesting country for those who want to understand our civilization and our contemporary culture, besides being beautiful with all the art and gastronomy it has, it is the country that lived the heyday and defeat of the Roman Empire, and also surprises by the number of breeds of dogs of Italian origin.
Currently, the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (National Entity of Italian Cinophilia – ENCI) recognizes 16 breeds of Italian dogs.From the small Maltese to the giant Napolitano Dogo, the “country of the boot” has very special and impressive dogs, both for their beauty and strong personality, in terms of their developed senses and remarkable skills.
- Do you want to know more about the breeds of Italian dogs?So we invite you to continue reading this peritoAnimal article to meet the 10 most popular Italian dogs in the world!.
Here are the 16 Italian dog breeds
The Neapolitan Mastiff (Napoletano mastino) It is a dog of large, robust body, well developed muscles and strong jaws, some of its most striking physical characteristics are the many wrinkles and folds that these dogs have on the head and the multiple jowls that form in their necks.
It is a dog very simple and faithful to its caregivers, but at the same time, reveals a firm, determined and independent personality.Despite its imposing presence, the Neapolitan doge can be very sociable with other dogs and enjoy a very positive interaction with them.children, as long as they have a proper education and early socialization.
Although they are not particularly active dogs, mastiffs must perform a lot of daily physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and behave in a balanced way, in addition, this great Italian dog needs attention and feels part of a family nucleus to live a happy life and optimize their physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills.When you are not in the company of your loved ones or are alone for many hours, you can develop destructive behaviors and symptoms of stress.
Maltese, also known as Maltese bichon, is a dog the size of a toy that is characterized by its long and silky white hairs, needs a regular brushing to keep it free of dirt and avoid the formation of knots and tangles, although it has been recognized as a breed of Italian dog, the Maltese origins are associated not only with Italy and the island of Malta , but also with the island of Mljet in Croatia.
These small furry dogs require constant attention from their owners and are always predisposed to being pampered, walks or games with their favorite toys, they do not like loneliness and can suffer many behavior problems, such as separation anxiety, if they stay alone at home for a long time If you are looking for a more independent dog, it is better to look for another breed or to know the benefits of adopting a mongrel animal.
Pastor Maremano, also known as Pastor-Maremano-Abruzs, Is an ancient breed of Italian dog originating in the center of Italy, It is a powerful and imposing dog, large size, rustic appearance and abundant white fur.Similar to that of the Pyrenees mountain dog, it was traditionally used to guide and defend herds from attacks by wolves and other predators.
Although it can adapt to the domestic routine as a pet dog, the Pasteur-Maremano needs enough space to develop, express and move freely, as well as to enjoy the outdoors, so it is not a suitable breed for apartments.
The Italian Braco, also known as the Italian pointer, is an ancestral dog probably originating from northern Italy, which was already represented in the Middle Ages, historically these furry animals were used to hunt birds, first with nets and then with firearms.It is currently one of Italy’s national exhibition dogs, along with the Italian spinone.
The Italian Bracos are strong, robust and resistant dogs, whose physical structure is vigorous without losing the harmony of their characteristics, although they are not so popular outside their home country, they are excellent companion dogs for their docile character, they have a willingness to train and show great affection for their family members, they must be socialized from an early age and educated properly to avoid excessive barking and facilitate their adaptation to the domestic routine.
The Italian greyhound, also known as the Italian greyhound, is the smallest of all breeds of greyhounds recognized today; in adulthood, these dogs do not exceed 38 centimeters in height at the cross and usually have an average body weight of between 2.5 and 4 kilos.However, their body has a well-developed muscle that allows them to reach high speeds during the race and possesses remarkable physical endurance.
Unfortunately, small Italian greyhounds went through a selective breeding process of “shrinkage” between the 19th and 20th centuries, with the sole aim of obtaining ever smaller individuals who could easily differentiate themselves from the Whippet greyhound.
These crosses had a negative effect on the health and appearance of the Italian greyhound, generating, among other things, dwarfism, reproductive and fertility problems, genetic defects and a weakness of the immune system.Today, many professional breeders are dedicated to reversing these negatives.consequences and restore the ideal health of this breed of Italian dog.
Bichon Bolognese is an Italian dog of the type Bichon that, as the name suggests, is native to the periphery of the region of Bologna, It is a small dog that is distinguished by its bulging eyes and its completely white, bulky and woolly fur.Unpopular outside Italy and hard to find, these small furry dogs are excellent companion dogs for people of all ages.
In its family nucleus, the Bolognese bichon is very affectionate and protective with their loved ones, they love to play with it, when trained appropriately and positively they are very intelligent, obedient and predisposed to train, however, they tend to be more reserved.in the presence of strange people and animals, which can lead to excessively latent behaviour, so, despite its small size and docility in its daily treatment, its socialization should not be overlooked.
Shepherd-Bergamasco is a medium-sized rustic Italian dog native to the Alpine region.One of its most striking and characteristic physical aspects is the locks that form from its long, abundant and rough fur (commonly called “goat hair”).The eyes are large and the docile and charming facial expression also catches the eye.
These dogs are very friendly, intelligent and predisposed to service, so they can be trained very easily and are able to perform perfectly a wide variety of tasks and functions, even if they stand out especially in grazing.Its popularity as a pet dog has spread to several European countries, however, they are still quite rare in the Americas.
Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized Italian water dog whose origins and its own name date back to the region of Romagna.Historically, aquatic hunters in the marshes have over time developed other skills and become known for truffle hunting.
The most characteristic physical aspect is the traditional dense, woolly and curly fur of water dogs; In terms of its character, it can be noted that The Lagotto Romagnolo is an active and alert dog, with well developed senses and an excellent vocation for work.of his great energy and remarkable intelligence, he needs to be stimulated daily, both physically and mentally, to maintain a balanced behavior: dog activities are an excellent option for them to live a happy life.
The Italian Vulpino is a small dog type spitz with a compact body, well developed muscles and harmonious lines, according to ENCI records, this breed of Italian dog is very close to extinction and, to date, the official incubation centers are working to recover their population.
Fortunately, due to their playful, lively and faithful nature, these puppies have regained their popularity as companion dogs.
Cane Corso, also known as the Italian mastiff, is one of the most famous Italian dogs in the world, It is a dog of medium to large size, with a muscular body and very strong, with well defined lines and a remarkable elegance.These imposing dogs reveal a well-defined and independent personality, being quite protective of their territory and their family. Early socialization is essential to teach you to have positive relationships with other dogs, people and your own environment, as well as offering the opportunity to enjoy an adequate social life.
As a very athletic and energetic dog, the Italian doge usually is best suited to active people and families who enjoy outdoor activities, they also need patience and experience in their learning process, so experienced tutors are advised to have the necessary time and knowledge.in basic obedience to train them and promote their cognitive and emotional development.
As mentioned in the introduction, ENCI currently recognizes 16 breeds of Italian dogs, among which we have selected the 10 most popular Italian dogs to present in this article, however, we will also mention the other 6 breeds of dogs from Italy that are equally interesting.for its characteristics and unique temperament.
Therefore, it is the breeds of Italian dogs that are also recognized by the Italian national entity of Cinophilia:
If you would like to read similar articles about Italian dog breeds, we recommend that you visit our What You Need to Know section.