Bella Italia!
Italy has a lot to offer.
In addition to the country, people and culinary delights, the Mediterranean country also convinces with many interesting dog breeds.
We have briefly put together the most beautiful bellas and bellos in Italy here.
15 Italian dog breeds at a glance
Italy your dogs! Dogs have been kept and bred in Italy since Roman times. Many Italian dog breeds have stood the test of time and are still popular across borders today.
Italian dog breeds make excellent guard, hunting or companion dogs. In the following we would like to briefly introduce the most famous dog breeds in Italy.
1. Maltese
One of the most famous and popular Italian dog breeds is the Maltese. The cute little fur ball is considered to be very intelligent and people-related.
The cute toy dogs have white fur, are very playful and have a calm demeanor. Because of these distinctive character traits, the Maltese is a natural companion and lap dog.
The Maltese is one of the oldest dog breeds. It was formerly used as a mouse and rat catcher.
Over time, however, the breed developed into a coveted companion and companion dog.
2. Bolognese
The same applies to the Bolognese as to the Maltese. This Italian dog breed also belongs to the Bichons, has a white coat and can look back on a long history. Even the Romans breed and keep Bolognese.
From its «hometown» of Bologna, which gives the dog breed its name, these cute curly heads have made a triumphal march around the world. The dogs are considered to be very peaceful, friendly, affectionate and easy to care for. They can be wonderfully kept as a family dog.
3. Italian Greyhound
The dog breed with the pretty name «Italian Greyhound» is a greyhound breed from Italy. They are among the smallest sighthounds ever.
Although the roots of the Italian greyhound are actually in Greece, the sighthounds have established and spread in Italy.
Like all sighthounds, Italian greyhounds are very active and agile. They have been used for hounding in their past.
Today, they are popular dogs for city slickers who love sports. They are easy to raise and can even be kept in apartments.
4.Volpino Italiano
Another spirited dog breed from Italy is the Volpino Italiano. These little bundles of white energy are an old breed of dog from Tuscany.
The cute tips are not for couch potatoes. They need a lot of exercise and regular physical and mental challenges. Especially in dog sports, the fur balls can be wonderfully exhausted.
The Volpino Italiano may look harmless, but it’s a sly old dog. You as the owner should definitely be active and good on foot.
5. Neapolitan Mastiff
In Italy there are not only small dogs.
A larger Italian dog breed is the Neapolitan Mastiff. The roots of the gentle giant go back to the time of the ancient Romans. At that time, the animals served as fighting and war dogs.
Today the Neapolitan Mastiff no longer has to fight in the arena or go to war. He has blossomed into a popular guard and family dog. Because of their calm and loyal nature, the breed is very popular with dog lovers.
However, you still have to get used to the constant drooling and snoring.
6. Bracco Italiano
Old Italian!
The medium-sized Italian dog breed «Bracco Italiano» is one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe.
They appeared by name as early as the 5th century. At that time, the pretty animals were used as hunting and pointing dogs.
The Bracco Italiano has retained its hunting instinct. Even today, the breed appears as a hunting, pointing or retriever dog. The breed is considered to be very intelligent and has incredible stamina.
The Italian Hounds, as they are also called, are very loyal and affectionate towards people, have a calm character and do not shy away from work.
7. Segugio Italiano
The Segugio Italiano is also a medium-sized Italian dog breed that can already look back on a long history.
The breed, which belongs to the racing dogs, most likely spread through the Phoenicians in Europe.
The Segugio Italiano can be divided into two types. The hounds can have either short or wiry coats.
Dogs are born hunting dogs. Then as now, they are the perfect companions for hunting.
As a lap or companion dog, the active bundles of energy would be completely out of place.
8. Spinone Italiano
Spinone Italiano was already very familiar to the ancient Romans. At that time, the robust four-legged friends appeared primarily as pointing dogs.
To this day, the Spinone Italiano has lost none of its charm. Hunters in particular rely on this born hunting dog.
Spinone Italiano are very gentle and friendly and outgoing towards strangers. A career as a guard dog would be doomed from the start for these wire-haired dogs.
9. Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romognalo is named after the Romagna region in Italy. That’s where the curly four-legged friend comes from. The name «Logotto», on the other hand, provides information about its actual task as a hunting dog.
Even today, the dog breed is used for hunting. While it used to be ducks or other waterfowl, the Lagotto Romognalo is now looking for truffles.
The breed is very popular with dog owners. They are calm, intelligent and people-oriented. However, the Lagotto Romognalo requires a lot of care due to its curly coat.
10. Maremma
The Maremano is a white dog breed, which is preferably used as a herding dog. The soft four-legged friends also originally come from Italy. Even the ancient Romans had succumbed to the charm of these cuddly bundles of fur.
A small city apartment is not the place for a Maremma. The animals need sufficient exercise and exercise. Going for a walk 1-2 times a day has not happened yet. Although the gentle giants are not high-performance athletes, they still have to be physically exercised.
11. Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dog
The Maremma-Abruzzo Shepherd Dog is a mountain dog from Italy. Her homeland lies between Abruzzo and Maremma. The dog breed was originally used as a livestock guard dog.
Although the dogs are large and cuddly, they are not oversized living stuffed animals. A Maremman-Abruzzo Sheepdog would not be happy as a family dog in the city. He has remained a working dog at heart and wants to be treated as such.
12. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is not a dog for beginners. On the contrary! The gigantic Italians are real powerhouses. The dogs are bursting with power and strength. They often trigger a feeling of fear and respect.
The Cane Corso, which belongs to the Molossians, was originally a guard, war and hunting dog. Even today, nobody would mistake the mighty colossi for lap dogs or family dogs. In some German federal states, the dogs are even listed dogs.
The large muscle mountains are ideal as a companion dog. However, you need an experienced hand and sufficient freedom.
13. Sardinian Shepherd Dog – Dogo Sardo
In Italy there are also shepherd dogs. Proof of this is the Sardinian Shepherd Dog. This dog breed is found only in Sardinia.
Although the Sardinian shepherd dog has hardly caught on, the locals swear by their shepherd dog. Due to its size, its strength and its indomitable character, the dog breed is often used as a guard, hunting or herd guard dog.
14. Cirneco dell’Etna
The Cirneco dell’Etna is an Italian hunting dog from Sicily.
Then as now, these dogs are real sports cannons. They have to be moved a lot and for a long time every day. Stay-at-homes and couch potatoes will not be happy with a Cirneco dell’Etna.
Hunting dog with a sensitive soul. These dogs are quite sensitive. They must be treated with a great deal of gentleness.
15. Bergamasca Shepherd Dog
The Italian Alps are home to the Bergmasker Shepherd Dog. This is a medium-sized Italian dog breed, which primarily appears as a herding dog.
The Bergmasker shepherd dog was particularly popular with the farmers in the region.
The mop among the Italian dog breeds leaves a lasting impression primarily because of its distinctive hairstyle.
The dog breed is very muscular, robust and defies wind and weather. The lovable four-legged friends also cut a fine figure as family dogs. However, the Bergmasaker shepherd dog is very rarely found today.