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Description

The Spinone Italiano, also known as the Spinone, Italian Spinone, or Italian Griffon is a large, rugged looking dog with along head. The muzzle is square when viewed from the side and is the same length as the backside of the skull. The stop is very slight. The nose has large wide open nostrils and is flesh colored in white dogs, darker in white and orange dogs, brown in brown or brown roan dogs. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The ears are triangular in shape with hanging ears. The chest is broad and deep extending at least to the elbow. The topline slopes slighting from the front of the back to the rump. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The wiry coat is dense and thick and come in solid white; white and orange; orange roan with or without orange markings; white with brown markings and brown roan with or without brown markings.

Temperament

The Spinone has great strength and stamina, suited for hunting in all climates and on all terrains. Extremely intelligent, happy, upbeat and enthusiastic, the Spinone Italiano is a pleasant, easy-going breed. He is easily satisfied when treated as a lower ranking member of his human pack family. Although serious when at work in the field, he definitely has a clownish side that is often quite entertaining. Never bossy or whiny, unless he does not see humans as pack leader. this gentle soul loves children, those he knows, and those he does not. Children must be taught how to display leadership skills. His great patience should never be taken for granted, for abuse is abuse, whether intentional or not. This breed gets along well with other animals, particularly enjoying the company of another dog. He wants to be with his people, whether that means at home or traveling. He is a quiet breed in general, but may occasionally howl along with a siren. Spinone is not a protection breed. He is either unlikely to attack under any circumstance or would only do so if he or his family is directly threatened. He learns fast. If the dog does not see humans as ranking under him in the pack order, he can become stubborn. An intelligent hunter, they are aware of the difference between a real hunt and an exercise. For example, one breeder mentioned that his dog is perfectly willing to pick up downed birds, but he is reluctant to retrieve a training dummy. Nor does the breed perform in flashy style, instead being a slow, steady worker on the hunt or in the ring. Sadly, many judges penalize this, expecting all dogs to work like a pointer (field) or a Border Collie (ring). The Spinone can be timid if not properly socialized. They respond well to motivational training. The coat protects them from the water and freezing temperatures of the swamp, casually going into cold, deep water. They an excellent swimmer and a model retriever.

Height, Weight

Health Problems

Living Conditions

Exercise

Grooming

Origin

Although not common in the U.S., this breed has a long history of service to man. The breed is known as Italy's all-purpose hunting dog. Some say it is a cross between White Mastiff , French Griffons and the coarse-haired Italian Setters, bred with the dogs that were left by Greek traders and others from the Adriatic coast. However this is not proven and the dog's rather uncertain heritage centers around Europe and its gun dogs of long ago. Whether he was the basis for bringing forth other gun breeds, or whether they simply sprang from common stock is not known. Like all Italian breeds it is ancient. In Renaissance Italy a pointer with wiry hair was already present. After 1950 the breed was reconstructed by a few great breeders. The dogs have a great sense of smell, setting, retrieving, recovering, and has very close ties with the hunter. The breed has excelled as a pointer and retriever for centuries. Today he is  still a popular hunting dog in other countries, as well as a pet. The AKC recognized the Spinone Italiano in 2000.

Group

Recognition

CKC = Continental Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
NKC = National Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
SCA = Spinone Club of America
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

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