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SPINONE ITALIANO — BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION
Breed Description / Health Issues / Breed Standards / Grooming / Training / Additional Information
Breed Description
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| Breed Registries: |
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Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
* — See Update Re: Newly Recognized Breeds (28 February 2006). As of March 1, 2006, the breed can be recognized for registration purposes in accordance with the CKC policies governing recognition. Effective June 1, 2006, the breed will also be eligible to compete in CKC approved events.
** — The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the World Canine Organisation, which includes members (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 332 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.
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| Origin: |
Italy |
| Height: |
Males: 23 to 27 inches
Females: 22 to 25 inches |
| Weight: |
Approx. 60 to 85 lbs.
The weight is in direct proportion to size and structure of dog. |
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Also known as the Italian Pointer or Italian Griffon, the Spinone Italiano is an all-purpose hunting dog developed in the Piedmonte district of Northwest Italy. Although not common in North America, the Spinone is an ancient Italian breed who has excelled as a pointer and retriever for centuries. Today, he is still a popular hunting dog in many countries and his gentle manners make him an excellent family companion as well.
The Spinone is a muscular and powerful dog with great stamina. He is very sociable, brave and loyal with a great capacity for learning and a strong desire to please. Although serious when at work in the field, the Spinone enjoys having a good time and can be quite clownish and entertaining. He has a great love for children and gets along well with other animals.
Being a very versatile sporting breed, the Spinone enjoys participating in various sports and activities, including: competitive obedience, tracking, agility, hunting, retrieving, carting, flyball, and backpacking. In addition, his gentle disposition make him an ideal candidate to work as a Therapy or Assistance Dog and he is also seen working in search and rescue.
His coat is weather resistant, wiry, stiff and dense. This coat, along with his thick skin, protect him on all types of terrain and in all types of weather. His colouring is either solid white; white and orange; orange roan with or without orange markings; white with brown markings; or brown roan with or without brown markings. He has a very distinctive head with hanging ears and his eyes and lips are framed by eyebrows, a mustache and tufted beard.
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Health Issues:
The Spinone Italiano is known to be a very healthy breed with an average life expectancy of about 12 years or more. Like all breeds of dogs, however, the Spinone is not completely free from certain health disorders. The following are some of the health issues which have been found in the breed:
- Hip Dysplasia — According to the Spinone Club of America, there is little data available for the Spinone breed. However, Hip Dysplasia does exist within the breed as in many large breed dogs. Therefore, clearance should be obtained for all breeding stock.
- Cerebellar Ataxia — This is a genetic disease which has been identified in the Spinone Italiano breed. Additional information is available from the Spinone Club of America Cerebellar Ataxia section as well as at the Italian Spinone Club of Great Britain.
- Eye Problems
- Bloat or Gastric Torsion (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)) — This condition is caused by a twisting of the stomach and thus trapping the stomach contents and gases resulting in a rapid swelling of the abdomen accompanied by pain and eventual death if untreated. It is a true emergency, requiring immediate veterinary action. The condition is most often seen in large and deep chested breeds. For more information on what you can do in the case of a Bloat emergency, see First Aid for Bloat in the Health & Nutrition section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website.
If you are considering the adoption of a Spinone Italiano puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. This should include hip x-rays to exclude Hip Dysplasia and eyes should also be tested. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Health Resources:
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Breed Standards:
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Grooming:
- Grooming — This section of Canada's Guide to Dogs includes grooming information, tips and techniques along with listings of Groomers from across Canada.
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Training Resources:
The Spinone Italiano is known to be very intelligent and an excellent problem solver. He is a fast learner but an independent thinker and may at times be somewhat stubborn about performing — The Spinoni wants there to be a good reason for doing a task asked of him. Positive/motivational training is required for this breed.
- Training — For information on training your Spinone Italiano, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
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Additional Information:
- Clubs, Sports and Activities — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes information on several dog sports and activities as well as listings of non-breed specific clubs from across Canada. (For breed specific Clubs, see the Breed Clubs section.)
- Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section covers such things as Police K9's, SAR Dogs, Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Protection Dogs to name a few. Included here are listings of organizations and associations across Canada and the U.S., information on various dog jobs, as well as tributes to dog heros.
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Copyright © P.Mitchell 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved.
All content, including graphics, on the Canada's Guide to Dogs Website is Copyright-P.Mitchell,
unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
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Last Updated: 5 December 2008
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