Weimaraner vs Volpino Italiano - Breed Comparison

Weimaraner vs Volpino Italiano - Breed ComparisonVolpino Italiano is originated from Italy but Weimaraner is originated from Germany. Volpino Italiano may grow 40 cm / 15 inches shorter than Weimaraner. Volpino Italiano may weigh 28 kg / 61 pounds lesser than Weimaraner. Both Volpino Italiano and Weimaraner has almost same life span. Both Volpino Italiano and Weimaraner has almost same litter size. Volpino Italiano requires High Maintenance. But Weimaraner requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Gun dog
undefined
Italy
Germany
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
59 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
57 - 65 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 12 kg
19 - 27 pounds
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 10 kg
15 - 23 pounds
25 - 35 kg
55 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
11 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 8
Size:
Toy
Large
Other Names:
Cane del Quirinale Florentine Spitz Italian Spitz Pom Spitz Volpino
Weimaraner Vorstehhund Raner Grey Ghost Weim Weimer Pointer
Colors Available:
fawn, mostly white in past were black, honey, sable, champagne, red
from charcoal-blue to mouse-grey to silver-grey or even blue-grey
Coat:
long and bushy coat
short, smooth and hard
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Curious, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Courageous, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

volpino italianoThis Italian bred dog is Spitz-type and very ancient. The Spitz breeds have been around since at least 4000BC. Archeologists have found remains that match the Spitz heritage of fox like heads, curly tails, erect small ears. In Greece in 400BC there were engravings of these dogs. Michelangelo painted the breed as he lived with one. In 1888, the Queen of England – Victoria – brought 6 back to England from Florence.

The Italians have loved the Volpino for centuries. These little dogs that resemble the Pomeranian so much but existed much before them. It was very early in the history of the domesticated dog that the Volpino moved from north to south. The Italians called them Volpino because it means foxy dog. They also called them Lupino which means wolfy dog.

The breed was never seen outside of its home range in Italy until the 1880’s and it is still a rare breed. However since the 1980’s the breeders of the American Eskimo brought some from Italy to the US and claimed they were American Ekimo runts. They interbred the Volpino with the American Eskimo creating the toy and mini Eskimo.

The Volpino was a guard dog alerting the Mastiffs to the presence of intruders. The Mastiff would then respond to the intruder. The Volpino was also a popular companion animal due to their easy temperament and their high intelligence level. However they grew less popular and by 1965 there were only a few registered dogs left. There was an attempt to revive the breed in 1984 when dogs that still lived on farms were used as new stock. Even with this, they remain a rare breed and only about 4000 are alive throughout the world.

The Volpino have been denied AKC registration or stock registration as they are considered to be too much like the American Eskimo Dog. However they are recognized by the FCI, the UKC, the ENCI (Italian National Kennel Club), the North American Volpino Club, the Volpino Italiano Health and Genealogy Club and the Volpino Club of America.

weimaranerThe Weimaraner is a German breed also know as the Grey Ghost. He was bred to hunt by royalty in the early part of the 19th century. They went after large game including the bear, boar and deer. Once these large game hunts disappeared, the breed became known for hunting small prey like rabbits, fowl and fox.

They are an all-purpose gun dog, hunting, chasing, tracking, pointing and retrieving. They got their name from the city of Weimar in Germany as a favorite of Karl August, the Grand Duke of Saxw-Weimar-Eisenach who hunted with the dogs. They are believed to have descended from either the St. Hubert Hound and Bloodhound, or the Chien-gris dogs.

The breed did not arrive in the United States until the 1920’s. Before that they were barely known outside the city of Weimar. By the 1950’s they were very popular in the States with President Eisenhower having one at the White House.

Description

volpino italiano puppy - descriptionThe Volpino is about the same size as the Pomeranian and smaller than the American Eskimo Dog. They are a rare breed and they have a soft, thick coat and they can be red, white or champagne. With the pointed ears and muzzles, they do look like a fox. They have large thick tails curling over their back and they have double coats.

weimaraner puppy - descriptionA very athletic and elegant breed, muscular and lean, the Weimaraner is built for stamina and speed. They are a very unique looking breed, nick named the Grey Ghost due to the appearance and coloration. The breed has a very short coat that fits like skin over his bone structure. It is smooth and hard and runs from a blue-gray to silver-gray to charcoal-blue. The skin is pink not black, the coat is thin with no undercoat.

They should not be black but they can be a longhaired Weimaraner, according to US AKC Breed Standards. In the AKC standards the tail is docked. This has now been changed in standards around the world as many countries are banning tail docking. They have webbed paws and striking amber, blue-gray or gray eyes. The long haired version can only be produced when both parents carry the recessive gene

Characteristics

Characteristics

1Children friendliness yes but better with older children than young ones

2.Special talents – loyalty and playfulness – people are his specialty

3.Adaptability very could live anywhere

4.Learning ability high loves to learn, very intelligent

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness they love children, might not know how big they are

2.Special talents speed

3.Adaptability Not apartments. Large dog needs room to run

4.Learning ability – Very intelligent, very stubborn

Health Problems

Health Problems

volpino italiano puppies - health problemsThe Italian Volpino has better health than most dogs due to so much isolation for so many years. However they are susceptible to some diseases and genetic issues.

• PLL Primary Lens Luxation – Genetic mutation of the eye. Very painful and usually occurs between 4 and 8 years of age. Usually results in euthanasia.

• Patellar Luxation – moving knee cap – can result in lameness and/or arthritis.

  • Cardiac Issues

Health Problems

weimaraner puppies - health problemsThere are a few conditions and diseases that the Weimaraner is subject to but surprisingly for their size hip dysplasia is rarely one of them. There are prone to

Bloat – Gastric torsion when the stomach twists itself and cuts off blood circulation and digestive processes. Bloat is deadly unless caught quickly.

Skin allergies - they have allergic reactions to parasites.

Ear infections – make sure you keep the ears clean and dry.

Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis.

Cryptorchidisn – the dog is missing one or both testes.

Hypothyroidism – can be treated with medication as with humans.

Von Willebrands Deisease – bleeding disorder

Hunting Accidents like sprains, strains, and cuts.

Caring The Pet

Caring for Pet

volpino italiano dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy small meals 3-4 times day don’t overfeed feed small breed food

2.Feeding the adult small meals 2x day don’t overfeed small breed food

3.Points for Good Health general excellent health

4. Games and Exercises

don’t require much Agility, nose work, and rally

Caring for Pet

weimaraner dogs - caring1 Feeding the puppy - Feed high quality dog food with high protein but not rich foods. Rich foods cause digestive issues and eating to fast, too soon before or after strenuous exercise do to threat of bloat. Also do not use the raised foot bowls as they hold an even great risk for bloat. Feed puppy 3-4 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult Feed high quality dog food with high protein but not rich foods. Rich foods cause digestive issues and eating to fast, too soon before or after strenuous exercise do to threat of bloat. Also do not use the raised foot bowls as they hold an even great risk for bloat. Feed the adult twice a day.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and speed

4. Games and Exercises – This is a very athletic and energetic dog. They need activity and will become destructive without it. They develop separation anxiety very easily. They need both physical and mental stimulation. They are great at agility, course running, field trials and CAT.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Weimaraner vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Weimaraner vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Weimaraner vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Weimaraner vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Weimaraner vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Weimaraner vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Weimaraner vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Weimaraner vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Weimaraner vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Weimaraner vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Weimaraner vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Weimaraner vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Weimaraner vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Weimaraner vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Weimaraner vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Weimaraner vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Weimaraner vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Weimaraner vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Weimaraner vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Weimaraner vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Weimaraner vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Weimaraner vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Weimaraner vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Weimaraner vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Weimaraner vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Volpino Italiano vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Volpino Italiano vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Volpino Italiano vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Volpino Italiano vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Volpino Italiano vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Volpino Italiano vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Volpino Italiano vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Volpino Italiano vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Volpino Italiano vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Volpino Italiano vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Volpino Italiano vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Volpino Italiano vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Volpino Italiano vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Volpino Italiano vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Volpino Italiano vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Volpino Italiano vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Volpino Italiano vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Volpino Italiano vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Volpino Italiano vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Volpino Italiano vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Volpino Italiano vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Volpino Italiano vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Volpino Italiano vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Volpino Italiano vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Volpino Italiano vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison