Are you looking for a faithful friend for life who is as active as you are?
Then the Spinone Italiano will definitely inspire you. This great dog convinces with many great qualities.
In this article you will find out everything you need to know about the Spinone Italiano.
Spinone Italiano profile
Size Male: 60 to 70 cm, female: 58 to 65 cmWeightMale: 32 to 37 kg, female: 28 to 30 kgColorswhite, white-orange roan, white-orange roan with orange patches, white with brown patches, brown roan, brown roan with brown patchesLife expectancy12 to 14 yearsOriginItalycharacter/temperamentfriendly, open-minded, gentle, adaptable, obedient, affectionate, fond of children, playful, active, athletic, intelligent, watchfulFCI groupGroup: PointersSection: 1.3 Continental Pointers, type “Griffon”, with working test
Look
The Spinone Italiano is an impressive sight with its tall, sturdy physique.
Both males and females of this breed are large and powerful.
Bitches reach a shoulder height of 58 to 65 centimeters and weigh 28 to 30 kilograms. Males measure 60 to 70 centimeters and weigh 32 to 37 kilograms.
Lighter or darker color nuances can be seen in the large, almost round, ocher eyes. The lop ears have an almost triangular shape.
The Spinone Italiano comes with a pure white coat color, but also in white with orange or brown patches.
Other coat colors are white-orange or white-brown with or without patches.
All colors have in common the dense, wiry coat, which is four to six centimeters long.
Characteristic of the Spinone Italiano are his beard and his expressive eyebrows.
This striking facial hair is not yet present in puppies, as it only develops as they grow up.
Interesting
Although the Spinone Italiano has no undercoat, wind and weather don’t bother it. Its top coat is so dense and robust that wet and cold cannot penetrate.
History & Origin of Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano comes from Italy. It is believed to have originated in the Piedmont area.
Its history goes back to the late Middle Ages.
It is believed to be one of the oldest pointer breeds and is recorded as being the result of crossing Russian Griffons with Bracco Italianos.
The Spinone Italiano can even be seen in some paintings of the Renaissance period.
Essence & character of the Spinone Italiano
Although the Spinone Italiano is an alert pointer, it possesses all the qualities one would want in a family pet.
He convinces with his friendly, gentle nature. Spinone Italianos are good-natured, loyal companions who are very attached to their people.
The Spinone Italiano loves children, gets along well with other dogs and likes to take part in family life.
In order to be happy, however, this dog breed not only needs love and closeness, but above all a lot of exercise.
The Spinone Italiano is athletic and wants to be given the opportunity to prove it every day.
His intelligence makes him a talented therapy, rescue, and assistance dog, but also allows him to play intelligently.
Despite his activity, the Spinone Italiano has a calm temperament and is not prone to barking. Even when the doorbell rings and in stressful situations, he remains calm.
With his sensitive disposition, the Spinone Italiano expects his people to treat him very lovingly.
He can adapt to many things, just not a lack of empathy.
attitude & upbringing
As an easy-going breed, the Spinone Italiano doesn’t make many demands on his home.
Although he is happy about a house with a well-fenced yard, he is just as happy in an apartment.
However, the house or apartment must be in a more rural area, because this dog breed loves long walks and sporting activities in nature.
You can leave a Spinone Italiano alone for a few hours if you gently get them used to it from an early age.
Keep in mind, however, that this dog needs a good dose of exercise every day.
So you have to ensure him that you have enough time for him every day or that another caregiver keeps him busy.
Due to his obedience and willingness to learn, he is easy to train.
However, the upbringing must only be done through positive reinforcement, because punishment and scolding hurt the sensitive Spinone Italiano.
Problems rarely arise with this good-natured breed of dog. In the case of insufficient utilization or insensitive handling, behavioral problems cannot be ruled out.
Good to know
It should be noted that the Spinone Italiano has a breed-typical hunting instinct.
Friendly consistency in upbringing and exciting activities are important to keep him from hunting.
Health & Care
The Spinone Italiano is a hardy, low-maintenance dog breed that has an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
However, some hereditary diseases can occur. The Spinone Italiano is prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cerebellar ataxia.
Since it is a large dog, there is a risk of stomach torsion.
To minimize the risk, his food should be divided into several smaller meals and he should rest after eating.
The Spinone Italiano’s dense, long coat requires surprisingly little grooming. It should only be brushed regularly and combed out from time to time.
A beard and eyebrows are a bit more demanding.
They should be cleaned every day, otherwise the accumulation of dirt and leftover food can lead to inflammation.
Is the Spinone Italiano right for me?
The Spinone Italiano suits all people who are physically fit, have empathy and have enough time for joint activities.
It is also important to him to live in the country. City life is not for him.
In families with children, this dog breed feels just as comfortable as with individuals.
Due to its uncomplicated nature and its innate will to obey, the Spinone Italiano is also well suited for beginners.
Fun facts about Spinone Italiano
The current name of the Spinone Italiano comes from its former name “Bracco Spinoso”, which translates to “spiky pointer”.
“Prickly” probably refers to its wiry coat, but it could also be related to its ability to track game in spiky bushes.
Spinone Italianos were almost extinct and are still rare today.
In Germany, the number of newborn puppies has been in the lower to middle double-digit range for the past 15 years.
The Spinone Italiano is one of the best hunting dogs because it combines the characteristics of a pointer and a retriever.
This means that he shows the hunter the game and fetches it when it has been killed.
Did this article help you? We look forward to your comment!