The Canine Heritage of Italy

Italy is not just about food, wine, and art. It is also the home of 16 officially recognized dog breeds by the ENCI (Italian National Kennel Club) and the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). Some are famous worldwide, others are nearly unknown, and one is on the brink of extinction.

Here’s a journey through the Italian canine heritage.

The 16 Recognized Italian Breeds

1. Bergamasco Shepherd Dog (FCI 194)
Characteristic "felted" coat, an ancient shepherd dog from the Val Brembana. Wool that forms in natural cords. Lifespan: 13-15 years.

2. Italian Cane Corso (FCI 343)
Molosser for guarding and defense. Recognized by FCI in 1996, it is one of the most popular Italian dogs in the world today.

3. Italian Bracco (FCI 202)
Hunting dog that points. One of the oldest in the world (depicted by Titian in 1538). Unique elegance.

4. Bracco Spinone (FCI 165)
Cousin to the Spinone, has a rough coat. For hunting or companionship.

5. Italian Greyhound (Piccolo Levriero Italiano) (FCI 200)
Extreme elegance, weighing 3-5 kg. Adored by Renaissance painters.

6. Shepherd Dog of Sila (not FCI, ENCI recognition)
Ancient Calabrian breed, similar to the Maremma but smaller.

7. Cirneco dell'Etna (FCI 199)
Sicilian greyhound for rabbit hunting. Ancient North African elegance.

8. Lagotto Romagnolo (FCI 298)
Truffle dog. Curly coat, intelligent. Explosion of popularity in the last 20 years.

9. Maremmano Abruzzese (FCI 201)
Large white shepherd guarding the flocks of the Apennines. Millennia of history.

10. Maltese (FCI 65)
One of the oldest breeds in the world (mentioned by Aristotle). The quintessential companion dog.

11. Neapolitan Mastiff (FCI 197)
Giant molossoid from southern Italy. Imposing guard dog.

12. Italian Segugio (FCI 198)
Versatile hunting breed (for wild boar, hares). Short or strong coat, two varieties.

13. Appennino Segugio (FCI 161)
Cousin to the Italian Segugio, more rustic in nature.

14. Maremma Segugio (FCI 363)
Recently established breed, for hunting wild boar.

15. Italian Spinone (FCI 165)
Pointing dog with a rough coat. Bearded elegance.

16. Italian Volpino (FCI 195) ⚠️
Endangered breed. Only a few hundred specimens in the world.

The History of Origins

Italy, due to its geography (mountains, seas, marshes, plains) and long agricultural history, has developed breeds suited to multiple contexts:

  • Mountain shepherding: Maremma (guardian), Bergamasco (herder), Sila.
  • Hunting: Bracco, Spinone, Cirneco, Segugi.
  • Truffles: Lagotto Romagnolo.
  • Guarding estates: Cane Corso, Neapolitan Mastiff.
  • Companionship: Maltese, Italian Greyhound, Volpino.

Each is the result of centuries of popular selection, often without pedigree but with strict functional criteria.

The Volpino: Risk of Extinction

The Italian Volpino is the Italian breed at the greatest risk. An ancient companion breed (it was the favorite dog of Michelangelo and various popes), it was literally abandoned in the 1900s when its "competitor," the Pomeranian, took over European salons.

Today:

  • Fewer than 600 registered specimens in the world.
  • Specialized breeders: very few.
  • Very tight gene pool.

Recognizing and adopting a Volpino means preserving a piece of Italian history. ENCI has initiated a conservation program in recent years.

Growing Italian Breeds

Cane Corso: a breed that has seen global explosion since the 2000s. In the USA, it is one of the fastest-growing breeds in popularity.

Lagotto Romagnolo: from a local truffle dog to a global trendy breed. Advantage: "hypoallergenic" coat, low shedding, high intelligence.

Spinone: a breed that endures with dedicated breeders. Its bearded majesty is captivating.

Stable Breeds

Maremma, Bergamasco, Bracco continue their life as rural breeds with specialized breeding and stable populations. Not in explosive growth, but surely healthy.

Why Adopt Italian

Choosing an Italian breed means:

  • Supporting the national heritage.
  • Often gaining a dog with controlled genetics (Italian breeders with pedigree).
  • Having a dog suitable for the Italian climate (Maremma thrives in Italy, Husky struggles with 35-degree August heat).
  • Affordable cost: €800-1,500 from a serious breeder (versus "exotic" breeds costing €2,000-5,000).

The Adoption of Italian Breeds

ENCI maintains official records of breeders for each breed. Beware of anyone selling "Italian" puppies without pedigree or genetic tests: they are often mixes or unregulated lines.

Italy has much to tell through its dogs. Adopting one means becoming a custodian of a small millenary story.