Objective To validate the Italian translation of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale – Short Form (ICMPS-SF) in order to assess acute pain in dogs. The original English-version of the scale (the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale – Short Form - CMPS-SF) was translated into Italian according to a standard protocol to ensure linguistic and cultural validity. Nine Italian veterinary surgeons then recorded pain scores in dogs undergoing orthopaedic or soft tissue surgery using the ICMPS-SF at 2, 6, and 24 hours post-extubation. Construct validity was demonstrated using hypothesis testing. A total of 95 dogs were recruited into the study. Thirty-seven dogs underwent orthopaedic procedures and 58 dogs underwent soft tissue procedures. Twenty-three, 45, and 27 procedures were classified as mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. Statistically significant differences in the median pain scores were demonstrated between orthopaedic and soft tissue cases as well as among mild, moderate, and severe cases. Median pain scores decreased with time and changes were statistically significant. The ICMPS-SF demonstrated construct validity similar to the original English-language scale, resulting in a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of acute pain in dogs by Italian veterinarians.