Italian Spinone Profile

Other Names: Spinone Italiano, Spinone

Country of origin: Italy

Dog Group Kennel Club: Gundog

General appearance:

The coat is thick, long, slightly wavy, and wiry. Italian Spinone's hair is longer on the eyebrows, chin and lips where it forms a moustache and beard.The facial hair gives the Italian Spinone a kindly but gruff look. The Spinone Italiano is a large, muscular dog that is sturdy and strong. They have a varied appearance, but the same stance and hard working abilities. The Spinone Italiano is impressively handsome and resembles an old grandfather with wisdom. The breed's tail is docked to about half its length. The head should be long and lean with a rooflike skull; being equal in length from the top of the skull to the stop as the length from the stop to the large nose tip. Their ears should be set level with the corner of the eye, relatively long, hanging close to the head, triangular in shape and rounded at the tips and covered with short, thick hair that is longer at the ends. The neck should be strong, muscular and fairly short. The length of the body should be equal to the height at the withers.

Colours: Orange Roan, Orange Roan with orange patches, White, White with Orange, Brown Roan, Brown Roan with brown patches, White with Brown.

Size:

Bitch     59cm (23") 65cm (26")

Dog       60cm (24") 70cm (28")

Weight:

Bitch     29kg (64lbs) 34kg (75lbs)

Dog       34kg (75lbs) 39kg (86lbs)

Temperament:

The grumpy appearance of the Italian Spinone belies its affectionate and gentle disposition. They are very sociable, courageous, and loyal. They possess a somewhat independent nature, but can also be sensitive.  The Italian Spinone breed does best best in a home with older considerate children. They get along well with other animals, particularly other dogs. This pleasant and easy-going breed thrives on family companionship. They don't like new situations much, making them not very adaptable. Despite this, the Spinone Italiano is a very hard worker, enjoying his work and expressing it with vocals. They are not overly barky, however.

Movement: They should move freely with a relaxed gait.

Care and training:

The coat of the Spinone is harsh and wiry. It is longer on the muzzle, eyebrows, body and legs. Any dead or loose hairs can be removed by hand plucking. The excess hair between the pads of the feet needs to be trimmed. Weekly brushing will suffice. Bathing should only be done when necessary.

The Spinone is not a difficult dog to train as long as there is consistency and firmness in the training. They are intelligent and eager to learn and to please. It should be remembered that this dog is sensitive and therefore training should be carried out in a gentle manner over a long period as it is a slow maturing breed. Motivational training works best. Early socialization and obedience training are recommended.

Overall Exercise: 60 - 80 minutes per day.
The Spinone is a country dog at heart, enjoying long walks in the countryside, although they are just as happy lying in front of a fire. They will adjust to town life as long as they are given plenty of exercise. They are a breed that should be kept active.

Feeding requirements: In general Spinoni are good eaters and can have a tendency to become overweight if their diet is not carefully monitored. As puppies the Spinone should have a nutritious diet to ensure the proper formation of the bones and joints.

Exercise: Med 

Grooming: Med  

Noise: Low

Personal Protection: Low

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: Low

Compatibility With Other Animals: High

Suitablity for Children: High

Often docked? Yes 

Average litter: 4 - 10

Life expectancy (yrs): 12 - 14

Health issues: Hip dysplasia, cerebellar ataxia, hormone imbalance, pyometra, eye problems, malocclusion of the teeth, and visceral leishmaniasis.

History: An ancient gun dog, they are first mentioned to have existed over 2,000 years ago in Italy. Speculation is that they were crossed with the Griffon or possibly the German Pointer. It is thought to descend from possibly the Segugio or Korthal Griffon. By the 1200s, the form of Italiano we have today was in existence in Piedmont and Lombardy. They are thought to be one of the old-type pointers. The Spinone Italiano was used to hunt over all types of terrain. They were valued for their stamina and great endurance, and a warm personality. The Spinone is thought to have crossed with a white mastiff, and is though to have received its wire hair from coarse-haired setters from Italy.