Italian Dog Breeds (Part II)

Italy boasts a culture as rich and ancient as its history, overflowing with art, incredible cuisine, and deep traditions. An old Italian proverb states, “Whoever loves me, loves my dog,” and as you might expect, Italy’s diverse canine breeds are a beloved, treasured part of the country’s cultural fabric.

Following our look at Italy’s guardian and herding dogs, let’s explore the incredible hunting dogs, charming companions, and unique working breeds that complete the country’s canine heritage.

1. The Expert Hunters: Pointers, Hounds, and Retrievers

For centuries, Italy’s varied landscapes—from the rugged mountains of the Apennines to the sun-drenched hills of Sicily—demanded specialized hunting dogs with exceptional endurance and skill.

• The Bracco Italiano (Italian Pointer): A powerful, highly athletic dog bred for hunting fowl. Despite a serious expression caused by their characteristic droopy lips and gentle wrinkles, these dogs are fiercely affectionate and adore people. Because they possess boundless energy and an intense urge to hunt, proper exercise and structured training are absolute musts.

• The Cirneco dell’Etna: Resembling a miniature Pharaoh Hound, this ancient Sicilian breed was traditionally used for hunting rabbits. They are remarkably tough, capable of surviving the harsh, volcanic terrain surrounding Mount Etna. Their small size and friendly, alert temperament make them popular pets for active owners.

• The Lagotto Romagnolo: Hailing from the Romagna region, this ancient water-retriever was historically used to flush out waterfowl. Today, they are most famous as elite truffle hunters, utilizing their incredible sense of smell to unearth culinary treasures. With a dense, curly coat and an affectionate nature, they make exceptional family pets.

• The Levriero Italiano & Levriero Sardo: The Levriero Italiano is an ancient sight-hound from Southern Italy that has unfortunately become quite rare due to the rise of modern hunting methods. Even rarer is the Levriero Sardo, an ultra-scarce sight-hound from Sardinia. Believed to be descendants of dogs brought by ancient Phoenician traders, only around 100 of these dogs remain in the hands of dedicated preservationists.

• Italian Scent Hounds (Segugi): Italy has several exceptional scent hounds. The Segugio Italiano is one of the country’s most popular breeds, renowned for tracking hare and wild boar. The Segugio Maremmano is a Tuscan specialist bred for boar hunting, known for its robust, even-tempered nature. Meanwhile, the Segugio dell’Appennino (along with its pint-sized variant, the Piccolo) is a tireless hunter of the mountain trails.

• The Spinone Italiano: A large, versatile gun dog used for pointing, tracking, and retrieving. Believed to date back as far as 500 BC, the Spinone has a distinctive square build, a wire-haired coat, and a bushy beard and eyebrows. They are famously friendly, adaptable, and make both wonderful companions and competent assistance dogs.

2. Charming Companions

Not all Italian dogs were bred for rough outdoor work. Several breeds were carefully cultivated to be pampered companions in the palaces and cities of Italy.

• The Bolognese: Closely related to the Bichon family, these delightful little white dogs originated in the historic city of Bologna in Northern Italy. Highly social, intelligent, and deeply attached to their humans, they thrive on companionship.

• The Italian Greyhound: While technically capable of small-game hunting, this tiny, sleek sight-hound is almost exclusively kept as a companion today. They are delicate, slender, and prefer quieter homes. However, don’t let their size fool them—they excel in canine agility and absolutely love lure coursing.

• The Volpino Italiano: Believe it or not, this fluffy little dog originally worked as an estate guard dog! Historically, the Volpino would work in tandem with a massive Mastiff: the tiny Volpino’s job was to sound the alarm with a sharp bark, alerting the larger dog to intruders. Today, they are beloved pets known for their cleverness, affectionate nature, and striking resemblance to a miniature white Pomeranian.

3. Unique and Specialized Breeds

Finally, Italy is home to a few unique breeds created for specific modern working roles or historical contexts:

• The Lottatore Brindisino: A muscular, broad-chested mid-sized breed originating from the southern city of Brindisi, created through historical cross-breeding of Pitbulls, Cane Corsos, and Rottweilers.

• The Lupo Italiano (Italian Wolf-Dog): A specialized working breed created by crossing German Shepherds with wild Italian wolves. Highly intelligent and athletic, the Lupo Italiano is primarily utilized by Alpine rescue teams to locate avalanche victims, as well as assisting emergency crews in finding survivors after major earthquakes.