Italian Spinone
Other names: Spinone Italiano

Docile and gentle, this hunting and pointing breed of dog has ancestry dating back many years. The Spinone Italiano makes both a great dog to exercise with and also a fantastic family pet. His name is taken from the type of coat he has, the “spino”, wiry and thorn-repellent hair. A sturdy, dependable dog with an amazing zest for life. Likewise, very easy-going and adaptable. He can be out hunting one day, then loves spending the next day hiking with his family.
Key facts about the Italian Spinone
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...
Origins and history
In European countries, various regions developed and bred pointing and hunting canines depending on the type of game and of course, the terrain of the country. Because of this, the Spinone Italiano was first developed some 300 years ago, as an Italian Pointer dog. Initially, it was bred in the north west of Italy, in the Piedmont region. The parent dogs used to develop the breed are thought to have been a French Griffon and a white Mastiff, to produce a perfect hunting and pointing offspring.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 7 - Pointing Dogs
Section
Section 1 : Continental Pointing Dogs
Physical characteristics of the Italian Spinone
Adult size
Female : Between 23 and 26 in
Male : Between 24 and 28 in
Weight
Female : Between 62 and 66 lb
Male : Between 71 and 82 lb
Coat colour
Varied markings and coat colours ranging from all-over white, orange and white, orange and roan and any variety of these colours with orange or chestnut brown markings.
Type of coat
Medium length hair apart from on the front of the legs, muzzle, ears and head, where the hair is of a shorter length.
This dog has a water-resistant coat that is very wiry and dense in texture. He also has a beard, moustache and stiff eyebrows to help protect against cuts from bushes and the undergrowth, when hunting.
Eye colour
Brown or yellow-amber
Description
With the appearance of a square, muscular body, this Italian Spinone breed is very powerful and strong. Sporting a long head and either dark brown or amber eyes, depending on the colour of his coat. Triangle-shaped ears that hang down and a tail that swishes from side to side when he is at work.
These dogs are very endearing with their “human-like” expressive face. You would sometimes think that he is smiling at you.
Good to know
Like many dogs with a shaggy, unkempt coat, the Spinone Italiano dog can be quite messy. After an energetic hike he will probably have mud, grass and other matter clinging to his rough coat. He won’t mind if he leaves this debris deposited through your house when he returns home. Similarly, he tends to drool or slobber and when eating his food, this often clings to his facial hair. He only needs to cuddle up to you after feeding and you will be covered in food debris and saliva. He also sheds his coat, so all in all, he’s not a very fastidious house guest.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Italian Spinone
Access the rest of the content after the ad

Loading advertisement ...

Is the Italian Spinone right for you?
take the testLifestyle
Compatibility
Price
Expect to pay between £1,030 for a Non KC Registered and £1,170 for KC Registered dog. You may need to be added to a waiting-list with a certified Spinone Italiano breeder in the UK, as not many pups are registered annually.
Providing a good-quality, nutrient rich dog food to meet the dogs energy levels will cost between £50 and £60 monthly. You also need to take into account the costs to spay or neuter your pup, vaccinations, pet insurance and annual veterinary examinations. Then the monthly cost increases to between £80 and £100.
Grooming
With a wiry, dense coat, the Spinone Italiano needs only occasional grooming to keep him looking good. His coat is also weather-resistant and gives him protection when hunting through the undergrowth, in all weathers. To remove any dead hair from the dog’s coat, hand stripping is necessary. Occasional bathing is recommended, but as the Spinone tends to drool onto his moustache and beard, especially when eating and drinking, a quick facial clean up on a daily basis is advised. As a hunting breed, his ears will need to be checked for burrs and debris. Likewise, good dental hygiene ensures that your dog will have clean breath.
Shedding
Yes, the Spinone Italiano dog sheds his coat frequently. Obviously, frequent grooming and stripping of his coat can help with this hair loss.
Nutrition of the Italian Spinone
An adult Spinone Italiano needs an average 2-3 cups of dry, good quality dog feed daily, shared between two meals. This breed is often prone to bloat or gastric torsion which can be eliminated by raising the dog’s feeding bowl and with limited exercise immediately after feeding.
Health of the Italian Spinone
Life expectancy
When a dog is properly cared for and given a high-quality diet, the Spinone Italiano is expected to have a lifespan of between 12 and 14 years.
Strong / robust
This dog is quite determined in any task, and can hunt all day long without tiring. Equally as happy spending time at home with their human family and lazing on the sofa.
Withstand heat
The Spinone breed is quite happy in all climates and has no problem when the weather is warmer.
Withstand cold
The Spinone has a dense and wiry coat that certainly gives protection during cold weather periods. This breed loves to swim, even in deep, cold water, which doesn’t usually cause a problem.
Tendency to put on weight
As a very energetic and active dog, this breed doesn’t easily put on weight. However, a less active Spinone, who enjoys lazing around the home rather than getting lots of exercise outside, will certainly be more prone to weight gain.
Common illnesses
- Addison’s disease – a life-long health condition that mainly affects young adult females
- Cerebella Ataxia – predominantly affecting male dogs that produces symptoms of weakness and in-coordination
- Eclampsia – can be potentially fatal in bitches
- Hip and Elbow dysplasia – a significant cause of lameness in dogs