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Spinone Italiano
Profile
The Spinone Italianos are a very talented hunting dog breed. Their tracking
abilities are keen and their "soft" mouth retrieves game unspoiled. The Spinones
also have a terrific personality and are gentle dogs who are devoted and very
willing to please. Considered more of a hound than a pointer, they are not known
to be barkers, whiny or bossy. The Spinone Italiano is a large, muscular dog
that is sturdy and strong. They have long drop ears and a full beard, with a
medium length coat on the rest of the body and longer fur on the face. They
can come in colors of solid white, white and orange, orange roan with or without
orange markings, white with brown markings, the list goes on. 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. Spinone Italianos are a wonderful choice
for the family looking for a playful yet hard working pet or hunting partner.
Other Names: Italian Spinone,
Spinone
Type: Gun Dog
Height: Males:
23.5 - 27.5 inches, Females: 22.5 -25.5 inches.
Weight: Males: 71 - 82 lbs., Females:
62 - 71 lbs.
Colors: All white,
white and orange, orange roan with or without orange markings, white with brown
markings, brown roan with or without brown markings.
Coat: Wiry, rough and close-fitted.
The fur is medium length all over the body and longer on the face, giving them
a beard and eyebrows. They have a protective coat that can withstand rainy or
wet weather.
Temperament: Spinone
Italianos are responsive, loyal, and gentle. They can be very playful and enthusiastic.
They have a very calm and gentle personality, making them an ideal choice. The
Spinone can be stubborn if it wants to, and is wary of strangers. 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. The Spinone Italiano is a well-mannered
dog, lowering its head around its master.
With Children: Yes, they are trustworthy
with children.
With Pets: Yes, they are good with other
pets and love to play with other dogs.
Special Skills: Field sports dog and family
pet.
Watch-dog: High.
Guard-dog: Low.
Spinone Italiano Care and Exercise:
Grooming of the Spinone Italianos should consist of a good thorough
brushing done weekly. Clean ears weekly, wipe eyes daily. The beard may attract
food and should be wiped when it does. The beard can be slobbery or wet quite
often. Daily exercise is required which should include long walks on-leash and
a good run off-leash. They love to swim and would make a great partner to run
alongside a bicycle.
Training: Spinone Italianos may
be stubborn at times, but they are gentle and affectionate and want to please.
Learning Rate: Medium. Obedience - Low.
Problem Solving - Medium.
Activity: Medium.
Special Needs: Attention, exercise, training
and socialization.
Living Environment: A house with a fenced
yard is essential to the Spinone Italianos as they are known to follow their
nose if they pick up a scent. They can live outdoors, but would prefer to live
indoors with their family. An owner of a Spinone should desire a gentle but
active breed. The best owner for this breed would be an active family living
in a rural or suburban environment.
Spinone Italiano
Health Issues: Hip dysplasia,
cerebellar ataxia, hormone imbalance, pyometra, eye problems, malocclusion of
the teeth, and visceral leishmaniasis.
Life Span: 12 - 14 years.
Litter Size: 4 - 10 puppies.
Country of Origin:
Italy
Spinone Italiano
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. The history of the breed is unsure, and there are several
theories of its beginnings. Still being used to hunt in Piedmont, Italy, this
breed is respected not only for its good hunting abilities but its handsome
look. Mainly known in Italy, the popularity of the Spinone is increasing worldwide.
First Registered by the AKC:
2000
AKC Group: Sporting Dogs
Class: Gundog
Registries:
AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 9), KC (GB), UKC
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Spinone Italianos
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Spinone Italiano