Similar in looks to the bichon frisé, Havanese and other fluffy dog breeds, this toy-size Italian dog breed—sometimes called a bichon Bolognese
Prized as hunting dogs as far back as the ancient Roman era, bracchi Italiani (aka Italian pointers) are gentle, smart, medium-size dogs that retain a strong hunting instinct
Their wiry coats may have been developed for retrieving game in the dense underbrush of the Italian macchia (bush), but spinoni are just as happy retrieving a ball thrown in a fenced backyard
The Maremma sheepdog, called pastore Maremmano in Italian, is still very much a working dog in Italy. This Italian dog breed serves as a protector of its herds of sheep
These curly-haired pups, originally from the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, have a special skill. Thanks to their super-sensitive noses, they're considered the top breed for truffle hunting.
Bred by the ancient Romans as guard dogs and war dogs, cane corsos still have a foreboding demeanor.
Easily one of the most unusual-looking short-haired dog breeds, the Cirneco dell'Etna is distinctive for its wrinkled brow, erect and oversized ears, and sleek, smallish build.
This ancient dog breed, known as the Mastino Napoletano in its homeland, was used in combat and as a guard dog by the ancient Romans.