TOP 20 Italian Dog Breeds

20) Cirneco dell'Etna
The Cirneco dell Etna is named after the famous Etna volcano in Sicilly and it is very skilled hunting dog breed, with great senses, fast legs and agile body. Cirneco is known for its always playful and curious nature, which also makes them fun companion dogs.
19) Volpino Italiano
The Volpino is Spitz-type of a dog from Italy, which can be characterised as a small dog with big personality. These dogs are definitely amazing companion dogs, but they are also quite alert and they make okay watchdogs, because they will most likely alert you when somethins suspicious is going on around your home.

18) Sardinian Shepherd Dog
Sardinia is a large Italian island and Sardinian Shepherd dog is native ancient landrace breed to this island. This breed is also known as Fonnis Dog and they are great working dogs, mostly used for herding and protecting the livestock.

17) Cane Paratore
If you are not from Italy, you probably never heard about this breed. The Cane Paratore is another herding dog breed from Abruzzo region. It is a smart, very active and independent dog breed with high working ethic.

16) Cane Corso
On the other hand, Cane Corso is very popular breed, that has its fanciers all around the world. This is a very brave and strong dog, that found its utilization as a guard and protector, big game hunter, but also law enforcement dog or tracker. Cane Corso is very muscular, just like majority of mollosoid dogs, but they tend to be more athletic and less bulky. These dogs tend to be very affectionate and loyal to its owner and family, but they are suspicious towards strangers and it can take a while before a complete stranger gain a trust of this dog.

15) Levriero Sardo
Second dog in this video that came from the island of Sardinia. It is also one of the rarest dogs i mention in this video and it is almost impossible to find them outside Sardinia. It is a very athletic and noble dog breed.

14) Segugio Maremmano
Another hunting dog breed from Italy, the Segugio Maremmano comes in two coat types – smooth and rough haired and they are known for having extraordinary sense of smell, which is their main weapon when they are hunting wild boars, hares and other game.

13) Lupino del Gigante
Another breed that is virtually almost unknown outside Italy, but if you like dogs that resemble wolves, than you might like this breed. These dogs are traditionally use to guard the property and for herding and driving the sheep.

12) Bergamasco
The Bergamasco is a very unique dog breed, known for its rustic appearance and thick coat which forms long matted locks. This type of a coat provides great protection from bad weather. The Bergamasco is also known for its amazing herding skills, excellent intelligence and independent spirit. On top of that, Bergamasco is also wonderful family pet and companion dog with gentle and loving personality.

11) Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai
A medium sized sheepdog with one of the longest breed names in the dog world. This breed is an old breed from the region Triveneto and it is a tireless worker capable of driving cattle, sheep or horses.

10) Lagotto Romagnolo
These dogs were originally used to hunt waterflow through the wet marshlands of Romagna in Italy, which is why they are named as Lagotto Romagnolo, which can be translated as lake dog from Romagna. Today, these dogs are not only great water retrievers, but thanks to their great nose, they are trained to find truffles. The Lagotto has a powerful built and rustic appearance and typical thick and tightly curled coat.

9) Spinone Italiano
Spinone Italiano is versatile hunting breed, capable of pointing, setting or retrieving. This is very intelligent, athletic and affectionate breed with extraordinary sense of smell. These dogs have harsh coat which helps them to work in bad weather and to swim in cold water and indeed, they will jump without any hesitation into any body of water.

8) Segugio dell'Appennino
Just like the Segugio Maremanno, even this breed comes in smooth and rough coat variety and it is also very good scenthound. It is one of the smaller dogs from this video, with average weight between 10-18 kg.

7) Bolognese
The Bolognese is part of the Bichon family and it is typical cute companion dog. They love spending time with their people, human companionship and just be at their familys side. These dogs are known for their sensitive and loving nature, playful, easygoing and loyal temperament. Great fact is, that they react quite well to obedience training and it is not that hard to teach them all the basic tricks and commands.

6) Dogo Sardesco
There is not much information about this Sardinian dog breed and they do not have official breed standard, but it is one of the larger dogs from this video, traditionally used as guard and protector or as big game hunter.

5) Maremma Sheepdog
Also known as Maremmano Abruzzese Sheepdog is one of the great looking white coated European livestock protector. It is similar to some other breeds, such as Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz or Slovak Cuvac. The Maremma Sheepdog is known for its deeply devoted and affectionate temperament towards its family, which actually makes them awesome companion dogs as well. When they are protecting the livestock, they are known to be very courageous and they can protect the livestock from dangerous predators such as wolves.

4) Bracco Italiano
With the athletic body, floppy ears, short and smooth coat and large head, the Bracco Italiano looks like a typical pointing dog and indeed, it is! Nowadays, they are also gaining reputation of sweet and affectionate family companion dogs. It is believed, that this is very ancient breed with history possibly dating back to 4th century B.C.

3) Cane di Oropa
This breed hails from the Western Alps of Italy, where it traditionally herd the cattle and drive flocks of sheep. It is a typical working dog, always lively and active, possesing great athletic ability. Interesting fact is, that some specimen of this breed are born naturally bobtailed.

2) Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest officially recognized sighthound in the world, but it still posses a great speed. They weighs up to 5 kg, which is 11 pounds. Even though, they were originally bred for hunting, today, they most often live the life of spoiled family companion. Italian Greyhound has a deep chest, tucked-up abdomen and long slender legs.

1) Neapolitan Mastiff
The last dog of this list is the giant Neapolitan Mastiff. This massive breed was bred as a guard dog, but they are also very gentle dogs making them good family companions. They are closely related to Cane Corso, a breed i mentioned earlier in this video. The Neo height is usually between 60-75 cm, which is 24-30 inch and weight should be between 50-70 kg, which is 110-150 pounds.