Volpino Italiano
A Volpino Italiano ("Italian little fox") is a spitz-type breed of dog originally from Italy. The Volpino makes a good watchdog, and some can even be used as gun-dogs if trained properly. They will make extremely active, affectionate pets.
The Volpino Italiano has been known and loved by Italian royalty for centuries, being a special favorite of the ladies. Although bearing a strong resemblance to the Pomeranian, the breed is much older and thus has a different background. The northern dogs found their way south very early in the history of domesticated dogs. The Italian word for wolf is lupo, and the Keeshond is called both Lupino and Volpino in Italian. Volpe is Italian for fox , hence volpino means little fox in Italian. Despite his long history, the Volpino is unknown outside of Italy and is now quite rare even in his homeland.
