Volpino Italiano vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison

Volpino Italiano is originated from Italy but Moscow Water Dog is originated from Russia. Volpino Italiano may grow 46 cm / 18 inches shorter than Moscow Water Dog. Volpino Italiano may weigh 43 kg / 94 pounds lesser than Moscow Water Dog. Volpino Italiano may live 4 years more than Moscow Water Dog. Volpino Italiano may have less litter size than Moscow Water Dog. Volpino Italiano requires High maintenance. But Moscow Water Dog 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.

The Moscow Water Dog was developed in the Soviet Union around the same time as other classic Soviet dogs. The Moscow Watchdog and the Black Russian Terrier are a couple of these other dogs. The Water Dog came from crossing the Caucasian Oytcharka with the Newfoundland. The breed is known by many names including the Vodolaz which means “diver of deep Water”. The Moscow Water Dog was only bred in the Russian state’s Red Star Kennels as working dogs for the military.

Following the second World War, most of the working dogs had been destroyed during the war. Not enough dogs could be imported to begin a breeding program for any working breed. So, the Soviet Red Star Kennels began to create several working breeds. Included in this group with the Moscow Water Dog, were the Moscow Newfoundland, the Moscow Great Dane, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Brudasty Hound.

The only really successful breed coming from this program is the Russian Black Terrier. All the rest are either extinct or found only in Russia today. The Moscow Water Dog was supposed to be a life saver/water rescue dog, but the dogs they developed were too aggressive, and the program was scrapped. It seemed that the cross had bred a dog that had too much of the working water dog traits and not enough of the rescue dog traits. The military breeders tried to pass the dogs off as a Russian Newfoundland and sell it to the non-military.

These non-military owners of the few “Russian Newfoundland”, did not try to change the dogs through breeding. Instead over time they bred the Russian Newfoundland with pure bred Newfoundlands almost eliminating the “Russian” portion of the breed. By the early 1980’s the stock had been so diluted with the pure Newfoundland that the Russian Newfoundland was basically extinct.

The Red Army kennel had other breeds with some of the genes of this breed in their lines. This included the Brudasty Hound, the Moscow Great Dane, the Caucasian Oycharka, the Moscow Watchdog and the Russian Black Terrier. The Russian Navy was unhappy with the situation and never again let the army developed the Navy’s waterdog.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
Origin:
Italy
Russia
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
64 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 12 kg
19 - 27 pounds
45 - 55 kg
99 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 10 kg
15 - 23 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
8 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 12
Size:
Toy dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Cane del Quirinale Florentine Spitz Italian Spitz Pom Spitz Volpino
Moscow River Dog, Московский Водолаз, Moscow Vodolaz, Moskovsky Vodolaz, • Russian Newfoundland,Moscow Diver, Vodolaz, Moscow Retriever,
Colors Available:
fawn, mostly white in past were black, honey, sable, champagne, red
dark brown to black, black
Coat:
long and bushy coat
double coat
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Curious, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Intelligent
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

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.

The Moscow Water Dog was intelligent, vigilant, an excellent swimmer, and great in artic waters. However, he was too aggressive and instead of saving the swimmer, they would attack them. The Moscow Water Dog is a tall, balanced and powerful dog. They have a wide muzzle and a square head like the Newfoundland. Their eyes are dark and small while the ears are triangular. The nose and lips are black. He has webbed feet of course and a hanging tail.

The coat on the Moscow Water Dog was of course waterproof and double. The top coat is very dense, straight and soft. It is usually a dark brown with some black and white.

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

Children friendliness

yes

Special talents

Swimming and stamina

Adaptability

Yes but needed some land. Better in countryside.

Learning ability

This is an intelligent dog, but he could not be trained out of his aggressiveness.

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

Because the breed was around for such a short period there is not a lot of documentation or information regarding genetic or propensity health issues. There are however a few issues that just his heritage and Newfoundland blood would lend itself to.

  • Tendency toward obesity. Do not free feed.
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – could lead to arthritis.
  • Bloat or gastric torsion – could be fatal.
  • Cardiovascular issues.
  • Addison’s Disease
  • Hypothyroidism

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 the puppy

Required high quality food made specifically for large or giant puppies. Feed 3-4 times a day a total of 21/2 -3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Required high quality food made for large or giant dog breeds. Feed twice a day a total of 2 cups.

Games and Exercises

The Moscow Water Dog did not need a high level of exercise, but they did have a lot of stamina. They loved to swim. Not overly active – more of a couch potato.

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. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Spanish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Moscow Water Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Moscow Water Dog vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Moscow Water Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  33. Moscow Water Dog vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  34. Moscow Water Dog vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  35. Moscow Water Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  36. Moscow Water Dog vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Moscow Water Dog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. Moscow Water Dog vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  39. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Mountain Burmese vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Nebolish Mastiff vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Scottish Deerhound vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Shiloh Shepherd vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Moscow Water Dog vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  45. Moscow Water Dog vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds