The Spinone Italiano is a medium sized, friendly dog breed. It was originally bred in Italy to hunt. With a thick, wiry coat, and a loyal, laid-back temperament, this dog makes for a wonderful family pet.
Characteristics of a Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano is a solid and muscular dog, athletic but with a relatively calm demeanor. A pair of bushy eyebrows and a beard frame soulful dark eyes and make for a comical look. Affectionate and good-natured, this breed makes for a wonderful companion.
Spinone Italianos' hair coats are wiry and thick, bred to sustain harsh weather conditions and rough vegetation. Common hair coat colors are white, orange and white, orange roan or brown roan, with either orange or brown markings.
The size of Spinone Italianos is perfect for an active family. On average, they grow from 22 to 27 inches tall and approximately 60 to 80 pounds. Males are generally a little larger than females. Their average lifespan is 10 to 12 years.
Anyone who has lived with a Spinone Italiano will tell you they are sweet, friendly, and very attached to their people. They require a lot of attention — without it, they may develop separation anxiety. They always want to be in the middle of things and will climb up onto the sofa beside you. Inquisitive and smart, they can sometimes be sneaky and stubborn as well.
The Spinone Italiano's temperament makes them suitable for nearly any situation. The Spinone Italiano has lower energy than most hunting and sporting breeds. Although they do best in large open spaces, they are adaptable and can do well in an apartment. A couple of walks per day is enough exercise for most of them. However, be aware that leaving them alone for long periods of time will often lead to them getting into trouble. Watch your garden — they're known to be diggers.
Caring for a Spinone Italiano
Spinone Italianos' shedding is considered moderate. They have moderate grooming requirements but are not considered hypoallergenic. The thick wiry coat requires weekly brushing and occasional trips to the groomer. Weekly nail trims and daily tooth brushing is recommended.
The amount of food and treats to feed your Spinone Italiano will vary based on his or her activity and metabolism, but a high-quality diet is very important. Some experts recommend feeding two or more small meals to help avoid bloat, which can be a deadly medical emergency. The Spinone Italiano has a reputation of being a picky eater, so expect to try a few diet brands before settling on one. As with all dogs, plenty of fresh water is required.
They're a very adaptable breed and able to do well in most weather conditions and in most living spaces. If given a chance, many Spinones really enjoy learning to hunt or going for swims. At the very least, a couple of walks a day is enough for most Spinone Italiani. Whatever exercise you intend to provide for your Spinone Italiano, plan on going with him. A Spinone Italiano would prefer to be with his or her family above all else.
As with any family pet, the Spinone Italiano requires routine visits to the vet, as well as any recommended vaccines and parasite control.
Health Problems to Watch for With Spinone Italianos
The Spinone Italiano is a relatively healthy breed overall, especially when bred by a responsible breeder who screens for common health problems of the eyes, hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid gland as recommended by the Spinone Club of America.
Bloat, otherwise known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), is a relatively common problem with the Spinone Italiano, as it is with most large and giant breed dogs. With this condition, the stomach fills up with air and twists, causing a very painful, life-threatening emergency. Feeding Spinones smaller meals and giving them time to rest after eating will help reduce the chances of bloat. Speak to your veterinarian about a surgery, called a gastropexy, to tack the stomach down so that it cannot twist.
Hypothyroidism — an autoimmune condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't make enough metabolism-regulating hormones — is relatively common in the Spinone Italiano. Signs of hypothyroidism include unkempt hair coat, weight gain, and lethargy. This can be checked with a blood test by a veterinarian.
Spinone Italianos are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. In these conditions, the joint does not form properly and can cause pain and lameness. A responsible breeder will avoid breeding dogs who have these conditions, but sometimes it still happens. Some dogs will have mild discomfort that can be managed, and others will need surgical intervention. Talk to your veterinarian about options.
The Spinone Italianos are also prone to a variety of eye problems, including entropion, which is when the eyelids roll in and scratch the eye. This condition can be very painful and is best treated by a veterinarian.
There is a very serious neurological condition, called cerebellar ataxia, that reputable Spinone breeders are working very hard to eradicate. It's present at birth, and there is no cure. In this disease, the symptoms vary but include:
- falling over for no apparent reason
- tremors
- seizures
- muscle spasms
- loss of coordination
Special Considerations for the Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano dog is a rare combination of athletic, calm, friendly, and intelligent. They're generally regarded to be good with other dogs and kids, though they do have a prey drive, so very small children and pets should be supervised closely. As with any family, the children should be taught how to treat a dog safely and with respect.
Though the Spinone Italiano is a moderate shedder and the coat is reasonably easy to care for, they are not regarded as hypoallergenic. Regular brushing and baths will help reduce allergens and keep the loose hair to a minimum.
The Spinone Italiano makes a great housemate. They're generally not heavy droolers — though the beard can make things wet sometimes — and they aren't big barkers. They're too friendly to be good guard dogs, but they will let you know if someone is at the door. Trainable, friendly and affectionate, the Spinone Italiano is always up for a good cuddle.
It may be challenging to find a quality Spinone Italiano in many parts of the world. Though they're still popular in Italy, they aren't common in the United States. If you're willing to adopt a mixed breed, there are some Spinone Italiano rescues with available dogs. If you find a quality breeder, you may need to be put on a list and be prepared to wait a long time. Also, be prepared to pay quite a bit. Spinone Italiano is one of the most expensive dog breeds, with a new puppy costing minimums between $1000 and $2000.
Over the years, the Spinone Italiano dog has gone by other names, including the Italian Coarse Haired Pointer and the Italian Griffon. They're similar to the Bracco Italiano, German Wirehaired Pointer and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
History of the Spinone Italiano
The ancestors of the Spinone Italiano were likely present in Italy for hundreds of years but were mixed with many other breeds, including white mastiffs, French griffons and Italian setters. The Spinone Italiano is named after “pino,” a type of coarse vegetation common to the Piedmont region of Italy, which is where the modern Spinone Italiano is said to be from.
The Spinone Italiano was bred to be a hunting dog, with a thick, wiry coat, a sensitive nose, a soft mouth and quick intellect. They're still popular as hunting dogs in Italy. They have found favor as companion house dogs and assistance dogs in other regions of the world.
During World War II, when much of Europe was in turmoil, the breed nearly became extinct. Many Spinone Italiano breeders, their dogs, and records were wiped out or dispersed. After the war, there was a concerted effort by the breeders and lovers of the breed to bring them back from the brink.
Over the following decades, the Spinone Italiano began to make a comeback in numbers and find a place in the United States. The Spinone Italiano became official with the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1995, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2000.
Today, the breed is uncommon, but it's regarded as a well-kept secret to those who love them. Good-natured, calm, and smart enough to be a family pet or an assistance dog, they're also athletic and hardy enough to be skilled hunting dogs. A rare and valuable treasure, the Spinone Italiano is worth the wait.
