The Spinone Italiano, a densely-coated hunting dog, is sociable, docile, and patient, sometimes stubborn but always endearing. Of ancient Italian lineage, the Spinone is among the field dogs of Continental Europe famed for versatility.
The Spinone Italiano (plural: Spinoni Italiani) is a squarely and solidly built all-around hunter. Spinoni are muscular and powerful, built more for endurance than speed. The dense coat has a natural, unclipped look and comes in various colors and patterns. The face conveys the breed’s abundant Old World charm. Those soft, sweetly expressive eyes set off by shaggy eyebrows and a tufted beard have won many a heart in Italy and they’re making new conquests here in America every day.
Quick Facts:
Temperament: Sociable / Patient / Docile
Height: 23-27 inches (male) and 22-25 inches (female)
Weight: 40-50 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Sporting Group
History
Spinoni, a very old breed, are among the many field dogs of Continental Europe famed for versatility. Their strengths as hunter’s companions include intelligence, a great nose, the ability to retrieve on land or lake, and the stamina to work all day and eagerly ask for more. The name Spinone refers to “pino,” the thorny undergrowth found in Italy’s Piedmont region. It was there that all-weather, all-purpose Spinoni were first bred to work alongside human huntsmen on the hilly terrain of Alpine Italy. The Spinone is estimated to be a cross of coarsehaired Italian Setters, bred with those left by Greek traders and others from the Adriatic coast, in addition to crosses with the White Mastiff and perhaps French Griffons.
Health
Responsible breeders will screen their stock for health conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia and eye anomalies. As with all breeds, the Spinone’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, ideally every day, using a toothpaste formulated for dogs.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
Grooming
Despite the standard saying that the breed should be “kept in a natural state,” Spinoni do need some grooming. They should be hand-stripped, rather than scissored, to get out the dead hair, as well as maintain a coat length of one and a half to two and a half inches. Spinone need their ears cleaned at least once a week. The legs should be kept in a brushy column, and no feathers left on the tail. Nails should be trimmed once a week.
Exercise
Spinoni are ‘low octane’ compared to other sporting breeds. While a hike or walk is always a good idea, it is not something that must be done every day. A large, securely fenced yard and plenty of playtime will keep a Spinone happy, along with being part of the family, which is just as important to his well-being as exercise. Spinoni are not “kennel dogs,” or dogs who can just be left alone outside’”they must be part of the family at all times, which means being a house dog, living inside with the family.
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