Italian dog breeds
Italy has 18 native dog breeds recognised by ENCI, the country's kennel club — guardians like the Cane Corso and Maremma Sheepdog, gundogs like the Bracco and Spinone, scenthounds, and small companions like the Maltese and Volpino. Browse every breed below, then use the finder to see which ENCI-certified breeders raise a given breed, and where.
Guardians & flock dogs
Cane CorsoRoman-descended Italian mastiff — powerful, watchful, deeply bonded to its family.
Mastino NapoletanoNeapolitan MastiffMassive wrinkled guardian from southern Italy, calm indoors and imposing at the gate.
Cane da Pastore Maremmano-AbruzzeseMaremma SheepdogWhite flock guardian that has protected central-Italian sheep from wolves for centuries.
Cane da Pastore BergamascoBergamasco SheepdogAlpine herder whose coat felts into flat flocks — patient, watchful, rustic.
Mastino SicilianoSicilian MastiffSicily's traditional farm-and-herd guardian, recently taken up for ENCI recognition.
Spino degli IbleiRare Sicilian sheepdog of the Hyblaean hills, recently recognised by ENCI.Hunting dogs — pointers & hounds
Bracco ItalianoItaly's ancient pointing dog — a soulful, loose-jowled gundog with a rolling trot.
Spinone ItalianoWirehaired, bearded all-round hunter — patient and famously gentle.
Lagotto RomagnoloCurly water dog turned the world's only specialist truffle hunter.
Cirneco dell'EtnaLithe Sicilian hound from the slopes of Etna, hunting by sight, scent and hearing.
Segugio Italiano a Pelo RasoItalian Hound (short-haired)Racy short-coated scenthound bred to hunt hare over rough Italian country.
Segugio Italiano a Pelo ForteItalian Hound (wire-haired)The wire-coated variety of the Italian Hound, built for the same tireless hare work.
Segugio MaremmanoRustic Maremma boar-hound — Italy's most common hunting dog, recognised nationally by ENCI.
Segugio dell'AppenninoApennine HoundHardy scenthound of the Apennine mountains, still earning full recognition.Companions
MalteseAncient white lapdog of the Mediterranean, silk-coated and devoted.
BologneseFluffy white companion of Renaissance courts, calm and people-bonded.
Volpino ItalianoSmall white Italian spitz, a bright and vocal little watchdog once near extinction.
Piccolo Levriero ItalianoItalian GreyhoundFine-boned miniature sighthound — elegant, warmth-seeking and quietly affectionate.Find an ENCI-certified breeder
Pick a breed to see the ENCI-certified breeders who raise it and the region they're in. 167 certified breeders across 101 breeds.
Choose a breed above to see its certified breeders.
Source: ENCI · breeder name and region/province only — no contact details are published here. For contact, visit the breeder's page on ENCI. Updated 2026-07. Open ENCI ↗
Frequently asked questions
How many native Italian dog breeds are there?
Eighteen. ENCI recognises 18 native Italian breeds, among them the Cane Corso, Maremma Sheepdog, Bracco Italiano, Spinone Italiano, Lagotto Romagnolo, Cirneco dell'Etna, Maltese, Volpino Italiano and the Italian hounds (Segugio Italiano and Segugio Maremmano).
What is an ENCI-certified breeder?
ENCI (Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana) is Italy's national kennel club and keeps the official stud book. An "Allevatore Certificato ENCI" has met ENCI's standards for how dogs are bred and raised. This page lists them by breed so you can start from a recognised source.
How do I contact a breeder from this page?
We show each breeder's name and their region and province, but not their phone or email — those aren't published here. To get in touch, open the breeder's listing on the official ENCI site, which keeps their up-to-date contact details.
Which Italian breeds are rare?
Several are uncommon or still building their numbers — the Volpino Italiano (nearly lost in the mid-20th century), the Segugio dell'Appennino, the Spino degli Iblei and the Sicilian Mastiff are all far rarer than the Cane Corso or Maltese.