Dog-Related Words in Italian

To help you expand your Italian vocabulary, let’s review some Italian words related to dogs and dog ownership.

My dog, Carlotta

Cane

• Phonetic: KAH-ne

• IPA: ˈka.ne

• Plural: Cani

• English: Dog (male)

Cagna

• Phonetic: KAHN-ya

• IPA: ˈkaɲ.ɲa

• Plural: Cagne

• English: Dog (female)

• Note: Cagna can carry a negative or offensive connotation in certain contexts, much like the English equivalent.

Cagnetto/a

• Phonetic: kahn-YET-to/a

• IPA: kaɲˈɲet.to/a

• Plural: Cagnetti/e

• English: Small male/female dog (diminutive)

• Note: Cagnetta is far more common than cagnetto as it’s used to skirt the negative connotations of cagna which do not exist for cane. A pattern you’ll notice is that diminutives are often used for words related to pets.

Cagnolino/a

• Phonetic: kahn-yoh-LEE-no/a

• IPA: kaɲoˈli.no/a

• Plural: Cagnolini/e

• English: Small or young male/female dog (affectionate)

Cagnolone/a

• Phonetic: kahn-yoh-LOH-ne/a

• IPA: kaɲoˈlo.ne/a

• Plural: Cagnoloni/e

• English: Big male/female dog (affectionate)

Cucciolo/a

• Phonetic: KOOT-cho-lo/a

• IPA: ˈkut.t͡ʃo.lo/a

• Plural: Cuccioli/e

• English: Puppy (male/female)

• Note: Cucciolotto/a (KOOT-cho-LOT-toh/ah, kut.t͡ʃoˈlɔt.to/a) is a more affectionate version. Both versions are also used as terms of endearment in romantic relationships.

Cane da guardia

• Phonetic: KAH-neh dah GWAR-dee-ah

• IPA: ˈka.ne da ˈɡwar.dja

• Plural: Cani da guardia

• English: Guard dog

Collare

• Phonetic: koh-LAH-reh

• IPA: kolˈla.re

• Plural: Collari

• English: Collar

Medaglietta

• Phonetic: meh-dahl-YET-ta

• IPA: me.daʎˈʎet.ta

• Plural: Medagliette

• English: Dog tag

Pettorina

• Phonetic: pet-toh-REE-na

• IPA: pet.toˈri.na

• Plural: Pettorine

• English: Harness

Guinzaglio

• Phonetic: gween-ZAHL-yo

• IPA: ɡwinˈt͡saʎ.ʎo

• Plural: Guinzagli

• English: Leash

• Note: A retractable leash is referred to as guinzaglio retrattile (reh-TRAHT-tee-leh, reˈtrat.ti.le) or guinzaglio allungabile (ah-loon-GAH-bee-leh, al.luŋˈɡa.bi.le.)