13 Italian Dog Breeds That Are Molto Bello

We've known that dogs are man's best friend for a long time. They were first domesticated between 15,000 and 30,000 years ago, according to Science magazine, and ever since then humans have bred out their favorite characteristics to create types of dogs that best suit certain hunting sports or farming needs. Dog breeds have originated from all over the world, with many originating in Europe to help protect farmers' livestock, or just to serve as lap dogs to royalty. Italian dog breeds reflect that diversity. Some are built for hard work while others will want to lounge around the house with you for most of the day.

Still, each breed is unique, and it has different exercise and training requirements. Some of the dogs on this list are great family dogs, while others are better suited to singles or people who have a lot of experience with training dogs. Here are 13 diverse Italian dog breeds.