Volpino Italiano vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison

Volpino Italiano vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed ComparisonVolpino Italiano is originated from Italy but Chinese Shar Pei is originated from China. Volpino Italiano may grow 26 cm / 10 inches shorter than Chinese Shar Pei. Volpino Italiano may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Chinese Shar Pei. Volpino Italiano may live 5 years more than Chinese Shar Pei. Both Volpino Italiano and Chinese Shar Pei has same litter size. Volpino Italiano requires High maintenance. But Chinese Shar Pei requires Moderate maintenance

History

volpino italiano - historyThis 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.

chinese shar pei - historyThe Chinese Shar-Pei is originally from Canton, China. The Shar-Pei has a blue-black tongue and many deep wrinkles. They have more wrinkles as a puppy than the adult dogs do. They are one of the rarest breeds in the world and are considered a basal breed – meaning their existence predates modern canines. Most canines are related to the gray wolf through genetic admixture. However, there are breeds like the Siberian Husky, the Greenland Dog, Finnish Spitz and the Shar Pei are all related to the Taymyr Wolk of North Asia through admixture. The Shar Pei is found throughout the centuries in Chinese artwork, especially found during the Han Dynasty, and are considered one of the most ancient of breeds on earth today. In this period, they were fighting dogs then became beloved pets. Today the Tibetans still use them as fighting dogs.

Following the Communist Revolution, the Char Pei was almost extinct until Margo Law saved the breed. During this time, they smuggled around 200 dogs into the United States. All the dogs in the United States today come from those 200 dogs. They were accepted in 1992 into the AKC. The dogs served as trackers, hunters, ratters, guard dogs and herders.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
Italy
China
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
43 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 12 kg
19 - 27 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 10 kg
15 - 23 pounds
16 - 24 kg
35 - 53 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
10 - 11 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Toy dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Cane del Quirinale Florentine Spitz Italian Spitz Pom Spitz Volpino
Shar-Pei, char pei
Colors Available:
fawn, mostly white in past were black, honey, sable, champagne, red
cream, red, blue, black silver sables, black bronze sables, isabelle (silver shading on a dilute-colored dog), cream dilute, flower (white with either blue or black patche , apricot dilute, lilac, chocolate, five-point red, sables, chocolate dilute, black, red fawn, brown
Coat:
long and bushy coat
Horse-coat, Brush-coat and Bear-coat
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Curious, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Responsive, Stubborn
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

chinese shar pei puppy - descriptionThe Chines Sar Pei has what if known as a Horse-coat which is prickly, harsh, and rough to the touch on one direction and rough to touch on the other. Western Shar Peis can be Horse, Bearcoat and Brush. The Brush is longer and smoother while the Bear coat is rare and in-between the two. The Bearcoat is not accepted by the AKC while the other two types of coats are.

The Shar Pei should have a hippo shaped head, a black-purple tongue, black mouth, deep set almond shaped dark eyes, small ears and red coats. His profile is square, and his muzzle is full and wide. Most Shar Peis only have facial and neck wrinkles left as adults.

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

chinese shar pei dog - characteristicsThe Shar Pei must be socialized early to other people, children and animals if he is to be friendly with them. He is loyal to his people and instinctively wary of strangers. He will be completed devoted to his people, but he is reserved and independent. They can be aggressive and territorial if not socialized. They are stubborn, loving and loyal. They are dominant, brave and playful. They are great watch dogs. Keep them busy because they tend to think a lot independently and if they don’t have a job they may create one.

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

chinese shar pei puppies - health problemsBecause of the rushed and inexperienced breeding programs in the United States due to the popularity of the breed, there are many health issues in the North American version of the Shar Pei. Their life expectancy is generally under ten years. They are prone to:

  • Familial Shar Pei Fever - congenital
  • Atopic Dermatitis – due to skin and coat conditions
  • Skin Infections – due to skin and coat conditions
  • Amyloidosis – Long term related to FSF
  • Entropion eye issues
  • Ear infections
  • Vitamin D deficiency hereditary

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

Feeding

chinese shar pei dogs - caringFeed a good quality dry dog food but do not overfeed. You should feed twice a day about one cup per six pounds for puppies. Adults should have two cups a day.

Health issues

• Familial Shar Pei Fever – congenital and serious. This produces fevers that can last from 24 hours to three days. Swelling around the ankles is due to fluid retention.

  • Atopic Dermatitis – due to skin and coat conditions hereditary
  • Skin Infections – due to skin and coat conditions hereditary
  • Amyloidosis – Long term related to FSF and leads to renal failure.

• Entropion eye issues – eyelashes curl in and inflame the eye. Can cause blindness if not treated. Requires surgery.

  • Ear infections – yeast infections – clean them often.
  • Vitamin D deficiency hereditary – causes swollen hocks syndrome and fever.

Exercise and games

Both as a puppy and an adult this is a pretty active dog. He needs at the very least to be walked every day or have a back yard to play in. They are sensitive to heat so bring them in when its really hot and don’t walk them in the heat. They love to play, are athletic and competitive. Try agility, tracking, rally and obedience trials.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Volpino Italiano vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Volpino Italiano vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Volpino Italiano vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  4. Volpino Italiano vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  5. Volpino Italiano vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  6. Volpino Italiano vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  7. Volpino Italiano vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Volpino Italiano vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  9. Volpino Italiano vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  10. Volpino Italiano vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Volpino Italiano vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Volpino Italiano vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Volpino Italiano vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  14. Volpino Italiano vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  15. Volpino Italiano vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  16. Volpino Italiano vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  17. Volpino Italiano vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Volpino Italiano vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  19. Volpino Italiano vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  20. Volpino Italiano vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  21. Volpino Italiano vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  22. Volpino Italiano vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison
  23. Volpino Italiano vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Volpino Italiano vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison
  25. Volpino Italiano vs Toy Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  26. Chow Chow vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  27. Dalmatian vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  28. Chinese Shar Pei vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  29. Chinese Shar Pei vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  30. Chinese Shar Pei vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  31. Keeshond vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  32. Mexican Hairless vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  33. Tibetan Terrier vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  34. Standard Poodle vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  35. Norwegian Lundehund vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  36. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  37. Golden Doodle vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  38. Pomsky vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  39. Sakhalin Husky vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  40. Other vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  41. Chinese Shar Pei vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  42. Chinese Shar Pei vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Chinese Shar Pei vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Chinese Shar Pei vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  45. Chinese Shar Pei vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Chinese Shar Pei vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds