Volpino Italiano vs Scottish Deerhound - Breed Comparison

Volpino Italiano vs Scottish Deerhound - Breed ComparisonScottish Deerhound is originated from United Kingdom but Volpino Italiano is originated from Italy. Scottish Deerhound may grow 51 cm / 21 inches higher than Volpino Italiano. Scottish Deerhound may weigh 38 kg / 84 pounds more than Volpino Italiano. Scottish Deerhound may live 7 years less than Volpino Italiano. Scottish Deerhound may have more litter size than Volpino Italiano. Scottish Deerhound requires Low Maintenance. But Volpino Italiano requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Toy dog
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United Kingdom
Italy
Height Male:
76 - 81 cm
29 - 32 inches
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
71 - 76 cm
27 - 30 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
39 - 50 kg
85 - 111 pounds
9 - 12 kg
19 - 27 pounds
Weight Female:
34 - 43 kg
74 - 95 pounds
7 - 10 kg
15 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 9 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
14 - 15
4 - 6
Size:
Giant
Toy
Other Names:
Deerhound
Cane del Quirinale Florentine Spitz Italian Spitz Pom Spitz Volpino
Colors Available:
gray, brindle, red, Blue, fawn, yellow
fawn, mostly white in past were black, honey, sable, champagne, red
Coat:
wiry
long and bushy coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Docile, Friendly, Gentle, Sweet
Affectionate, Curious, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

scottish deerhoundThe Scottish Deerhound is considered the Royal Dog of Scotland. It is a sighthound that is large and bred to hunt large Red Deer. They are similar in appearance to the Greyhound, but they are bigger and heavier. Closely related to the Irish Wolfhound, they were used in creating it. The Scottish Deerhound is an ancient breed that is now very rare. It can trace its lineage to the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Deerhound was a favorite of hunting nobility and could not be kept by any person or household that did not have at least the rank of earl. Despite this history the Scottish Deerhound was not considered separate from the Highland Greyhound and other staghounds until the 19th century. They were bred to stalk or “course” the red deer and were used extensively for this purpose until the beginning of the 20th century. At that time there was a need for smaller, slower deer tracking dogs.

At the start of the 20th century, the land for deer hunting had grown smaller and so had the deer. Also, the invention of the rifle made the fast Deerhounds who could cover large tracks of ground in minutes, no longer a necessity for successful hunting. As the clan systems fell and the nobility rose, the Deerhounds became the dog for nobility and landowners. There were a few non-nobilities who also kept them and hunted with them. As they were less needed for hunting a few households kept them as show dogs.

In the United States and Canada, both the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound were used for hunting wolves and deer. In Australia, the Kangaroo Dog – a deerhound crossbreed, and Deerhounds were used to hunt wild boar, emu and kangaroos. The Deerhound is one of the oldest of the breeds that are Greyhound-like. The Deerhound is not as fast as the Greyhound if they are running on a smooth surface. Get them on a rough surface and the will out that Greyhound. They appear to be larger and rougher than they really are. This gives them an advantage over the lighter, smaller Greyhound.

The Deerhound was a contributor to development of the Irish Wolfhound toward the end of the 19th century.

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.

Description

scottish deerhound puppy - descriptionThe Scottish Deerhound looks a lot like the Greyhound, except it is heavily boned and larger in size. The Deerhound is also different in several other ways. Instead of the Greyhound, the Scottish Deerhound is more closely related to the Irish Wolfhound than the Deerhound. The Deerhound is a large, rough coated breed. It is a very tall breed; in fact, it is the tallest of all sighthounds.

The Deerhound has a long head with a flat skull and a muzzle that tapers at the end. They have dark eyes and a scissor bite with a tail that can be either curved or straight. The hair on their tails almost touches the ground. The rest of its coat is wiry and harsh with a beard, mustache and mane. The ears are soft and can be either held semi erect or folded against their head. Their coat is gray or grey-blue today but in the past, it might have been brindle, red fawn or yellow.

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.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness – yes but watch out for little ones.

2.Special talents - speed and distance.

3.Adaptability - some but needs space to run.

scottish deerhound dog - characteristics4.Learning ability – intelligent but hunting and running instincts overcome all else.

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

Health Problems

scottish deerhound puppies - health problemsThe Scottish Deerhound does face some serious challenges on the health front. These include:

  • Cardiomyopathy – heart disease.
  • Osteosarcoma – Bone cancer.

• Cystinuria – recessive disorder that causes an inability for cystine to be filtered from the urine.

• Gastric Dilatation Volvulus – otherwise known as bloat and it can be life threatening if not treated quickly.

  • Hypothyroidism – easily treated with medication.
  • Neck pain – if no serious condition – medication can be taken.
  • Factor VII deficiency.
  • Stress is not handled well in this breed.

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

Caring The Pet

scottish deerhound dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – Feed a high quality large or x large puppy dogfood at least 3-4 times a day. Do not overfeed.

2.Feeding the adult – Feed a high-quality adult large or x large dog food once or twice a day. Do not overfeed.

3.Points for Good Health - Stamina and speed.

4. Games and Exercises – The Deerhound needs plenty of exercise in a safe place where they have plenty of room to run. A small yard or life on a leash are not enough for this energetic breed. Play fetch, course running, Like the Greyhound they will be couch potatoes if you let them but that will hurt their health. Lure Coursing or hare coursing are good. Coyote hunting. Find space where they can run for the joy of running. Never force them to run – like along a bicycle

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

Comparison with other breeds

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  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