Spinone Italiano Dog Breed Information

Group

Sporting

Weight

27-39 kg

Height

55-66 cm

Lifespan

12-14 years

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About the Spinone Italiano

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Spinone Italiano is a rare breed, yet it is recognized by various organizations worldwide. This dog breed is quite popular in the United States since it is American Kennel Club recognized, and a few other organizations acknowledge the modern Spinone.

Would you like to bring this dog home? Here is all you need to know about the Italian Spinone, including some history about the origins of this breed.

What is the history & origin of the Spinone Italiano?

Italy is not necessarily the first place to come to mind when considering countries with the best breeds. However, with the Spinone Italiano, which goes by many different names, Italy ensures its ranking among other countries with the most excellent breeds.

This Italiano hound was first bred in Piedmont, and its history can be traced back to the Italian Griffon in 1683. As time passed, the Spinone was recognized as independent and bred according to the standards we see today. The Spinone Club of America led to the recognition of this hound by the AKC, which happened in 2000.

What is a Spinone Italiano breed?

The Spinone Italiano hound is primarily a hunting dog that was bred to be a loyal companion, regardless of whether its owners still go hunting or not. They have a fascinating and unkempt look but are endearing and affectionate animals.

Due to their loving nature, these dogs require an equally loving home where this hound can show off its tracking and hunting instincts. Alternatively, your pup can make you proud at canine competitions where they can go up against obstacle courses or other dogs.

Who is a Spinone Italiano best for?

First and foremost, before adopting this breed, you must make sure that your accommodation is suitable for it. This breed needs much room to roam around freely and wear its energy levels out. Therefore, apartment living is not well-suited for the Italian Spinone, but a house with a backyard will suffice.

First-time dog owners can adopt this Italian hound because it adjusts easily to new families and does not require a demanding lifestyle. This breed could be the perfect companion if you can provide enough space in your home.

Spinone Italiano Grooming & Shedding

Spinone Italiano dogs have a wiry coat that could either have an orange roan or brown markings. Sometimes, your hound could have a brown roan with orange markings on its wiry coat but do not worry about excessive shedding. This dog requires occasional brushing to remove dead hair and untangle any knots in its fur.

The dog hair does not need to get trimmed because the coat protects this hound from thorns when hunting. At the same time, this hunting dog might get exposed to extreme cold, which is where its dense coats also help. This hound is excellent outdoors when partaking in family activities, no matter the weather conditions.

It is also recommended that you ensure that your hound has short claws, by regular trimming, and you should also be regularly brushing its teeth to ensure oral health and hygiene.

Do Spinone Italianos bark a lot?

Compared to most other breeds, the Spinone Italiano is not much of a barker. However, they do get vocal, especially when something suspicious is in its sight or if this breed is frustrated. Nevertheless, when you have trained this breed and ensure it gets vigorous exercise daily, they can be content regardless of how much space they have to run around.

The barking tendency of Spinones is very impressive, especially for a dog of its size. However, perhaps due to its friendliness, it does not resort to barking and howling as the first option.

What is the average weight & height of a Spinone Italiano?

An average Spinone is classified as a medium to large dog, with a weight range averaging 27 kilograms to 39 kilograms. That weight is healthy for a hound with a height of 55 centimetres to 66 centimetres. Therefore, you can contribute to your dog’s overall health and wellness by ensuring that it remains within this height to weight ratio.

Ensure a consistent exercise regimen is ingrained into this dog’s daily routine. Also, monitor your pup’s diet to prevent overeating, including the amount and type of snacks you offer as a reward.

Are Spinone Italianos easy to train?

Training the Spinone or any other pets is best done during the early stages of their life span. Conducting obedience training on an older dog could trigger a stubborn streak even in the sweetest and most mild-tempered breed. Therefore, administer all such instruction at a young age so your dog can grow up with those skills and training ingrained in their mind.

Additionally, you can train this breed to participate in different dog sports competitions, including events related to hunting or agility. You won’t have to teach this breed how to play nice with other animals, primarily because of its size, as Spinones get along well with almost all pets and people.

How do Spinone Italianos behave? A look at their temperament and personality

This breed is the ideal candidate if you are looking for a sweet-natured dog! The breed has high mental stimulation levels, which translates to an energetic hound that is tireless on hikes or hunting expeditions. In addition, the Spinone Italiano temperament leans toward being incredibly friendly and gentle.

This breed tends to make friends wherever it goes, although they might resort to chasing around small animals. The Spinone is very friendly with other dogs and children and is far from aggressive or territorial. Wherever its family is, that’s where you will find the Spinone.

Does the Spinone Italiano have any common health issues?

Similarly to other dogs, Spinones also suffer from genetic health problems that vary in severity due to environmental and hereditary factors. The average adult dog of this breed could suffer from health problems such as hip dysplasia and other joint issues, more so if overweight. Some can suffer from idiopathic epilepsy.

Other health conditions that could affect a Spinone Italiano puppy include Otitis Externa, an ear infection caused by swimming. Otitis Externa is typically more common among sporting breeds participating in swimming activities. However, most of the conditions that could affect Spinones can be mitigated or treated through frequent wellness checks.

What is the lifespan of a Spinone Italiano?

Taking care of your sweet Spinone could contribute significantly to a long and fulfilling life. But, unfortunately, it has to come to its natural end at some point and the approximate lifespan of this breed is typically around 12 to 14 years.

You can make a lot of memories during this estimated life span. However, helping your hound reach its absolute potential life span by enforcing a healthy lifestyle and regular wellness checks is the least you can do for the affection and companionship you will get from a Spinone.

How much does a Spinone Italiano need to be fed?

Daily servings depend on the size, metabolic rate, and activity levels of all pets. For example, Spinones are pretty active and require a little more food. The average servings should be between 560 and 780 grams, but you must ensure that your hound is not getting overweight.

If you detect any signs of overeating, minimize the servings to keep your pup healthy, and consult your vet for any further advice on what to feed your dog.

How much can you expect to pay for a Spinone Italiano in Australia?

Spinone Italianos are rare, and identifying a specific price for one is therefore very tricky. You should contact a reputable breeder that will provide the exact cost. Remember to make sure all the health clearances are in order before making the purchase. Alternatively, consider reaching out to rescue groups and shelters to see if they have any Spinones that need a loving home.

Spinone Italiano FAQs

Are Spinone Italiano dogs protective?

The Spinone Italiano breed is not a guard dog by definition, but it might voice concerns, through barking, about strangers that seem suspicious. However, they are too amiable to assume the role of being guard dogs.

Are Spinone Italianos good hunting dogs?

This hound is a common dog breed for hunting. That’s because these dogs are one of the oldest hunting dog breeds for carrying out tasks such as pointing, retrieving, and tracking. You can rely on the Spinone Italiano to happily retrieve game on land and water.

Are Spinone Italiano dogs ideal for first-time dog owners?

Unlike dogs of this size and nature, the Spinone Italiano has the perfect temperament for first-time dog owners. They are friendly, and training this hound is not as challenging. Also, the grooming requirements are perfect for first-time dog owners.