The charming little Volpino whose name means “little fox,” has also been called the Italian Pomeranian, but compared to the Pom, the Volpino is the larger dog, coming in at 11-12 inches in height and weighing some 10-12 pounds. Volpinos are also quite rare, with only about 600 world-wide (about 70 dogs in North America alone).
A descendant of the European Spitz, the Volpino is quite old and dates back back to 5,000 BC. Treasured by both Italian commoners and nobility, these dogs were especially popular during the the Renaissance. In fact, one of the Volpino’s claim to fame factoids is that Michelangelo owned a Volpino who sat on a pillow on the floor of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican while his master painted the famous ceiling. Later in the 18th century, the breed was favored by by carters (people who transported goods by cart or wagon) in Toscany and Lazio who used the dogs as an “early alarm system,” when they barked furiously as soon as strangers approached.
The Volpino is recognized by the FCI, and was accepted by the United Kennel Club in 2006, and while there is a Volpino Club of America, AKC recognition may be some time off.
Image: “A Volpino Italiano and other Dogs” by John Charlton (1849-1917) sold at auction for $38,837