Would a Spinone Italiano gundog suit you?
Since the Spinone Italiano is a rare gundog breed, very few people actually know about this robust and beautiful breed of dog. That being said, it should be mentioned that the Spinone Italiano is quite a striking dog with their wiry coats that are white, orange roan, brown roan, white and orange or white and brown. They also have a beautiful chestnut brown coat, the most desired color, that is called “Monk’s Habit.”
And once you get past the beauty of the breed, you will understand just how appropriate that name is when you see the gentle and calm dog underneath the coat. They are known for their easy going nature and for their ability to fit into just about any lifestyle. They are excellent with children, whether from their own family or others, and they love to shower affection on everyone they known, although they can be a bit reserved with strangers.
They have a fun loving personality, coupled with their kind heart, and can be quite a goofball. That is until they get to the field. Once there, they are a hard working gun dog that is able to both sniff out prey and also point it.
The Spinone Italiano is a very intelligent dog and they are usually very easy to train; however, they are less likely to listen if they feel like doing something else. This makes them a poor choice for first time dog owners but for a seasoned dog owner, or gun dog owner, you will find in the Spinone Italiano, a gundog that is truly exceptional both at home and in the field.
Pro’s and con’s of owning a Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano is a versatile gundog that is as happy in the field as they are in the home. There are many traits that make these dogs a wonderful addition to any family but there are also many traits that are a definite con for the breed. It is important that you understand the Spinone Italiano completely before you purchase one and that you understand your own experiences with dogs first since they are not recommended for first time dog owners.
The Pro’s
Like all dog breed, there are a number of pros when you look at a Spinone Italiano.
• They are very rare so it may be difficult to find a breeder and there will be a long wait until you can purchase a puppy.
• They are excellent family dogs and do quite well with children.
• They are very affectionate but they tend to only extend that affection to people they know.
• While they have a fair amount of energy, they are able to live in apartments if they are properly exercised.
• They are low to average shedders but they are actually very clean and will usually groom themselves like a cat would.
• Generally, Spinone Italianos are not aggressive and do well in homes with multiple pets.
• Spinone Italianos are very intelligent and are usually very easy to train.
• They are considered to be a hardy breed with only a few health problems.
The Con’s
Again, although the Spinone Italiano is an excellent hunting and family dog, there are a number of cons that potential owners should take into consideration before they purchase a Spinone Italiano puppy.
• They are very rare so it may be difficult to find a breeder and there will be a long wait until you can purchase a puppy.
• They are usually a little reserved with strangers and can take some time to warm up to someone new.
• They are not recommended for first time owners since they can be a bit stubborn. They may learn a command very quickly but they will often decide on their own whether it is worth listening to.
• Spinone Italianos do have a large amount of energy and will need to be exercised about 30 minutes per day to keep healthy.
• They can become bored easily, which can lead to destructive behavior.
• They are known to be timid dogs and need to be properly socialized. It is also recommended that a Spinone Italiano never be shipped as puppies since this can aggravate their timidness.
• While they are not a loud breed, they have been known to howl on occasion.
Health Issues:
When it comes to health issues, the Spinone Italiano is actually a fairly hardy breed with only a few health concerns. It is still important; however, that you purchase a Spinone Italiano from a reputable breeder that practices proper breeding and has health checks done on all dogs prior to breeding. This is the best way to reduce the risk of possible health problems in your own Spinone Italiano gundog. Health issues that have been seen in the Spinone Italiano are:
• Hip Dysplasia
• Cerebellar Ataxia
• Hypothyroidism
• Gastric Torsion
Height & Weight:
The Spinone Italiano is a large sized gun dog that is well known for having a very substantial and muscular build. This is a dog that has a very distinct appearance with its long head and pendulous ears. They are strong boned and are usually as long as they are tall. This measurement is taken from the withers or shoulders to the ground and from the shoulders to the base of the tail.
Although the Spinone Italiano is a robust breed, they should never be overweight. The size of a Spinone Italiano is:
Males: 23 to 27 inches (58 to 69 cm) tall
Females: 22 to 25 inches (56 to 64 cm) tall
Both Males and Females range in weight from 60 to 85 pounds (27.3 to 38.6 kg).
Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.
Grooming:
When it comes to the field Spinone Italiano, there isn’t too much to worry about the coat except regular care and keeping debris out of it. However, if you plan to show your dog in the conformation ring gas well as use it as a gun dog; you will want to take extra care of the coat.
Generally, the coat should be dense and should be about 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length. This is actually very important since any deviation to this can be a disqualification. The head should be well groomed but it should have stiff eyebrows and there should be a beard and moustache on the face. Everything else should have a neat appearance and should be brushed regularly to maintain the right coat type.
If you aren’t showing your dog, then your life will probably be a lot easier. Spinone Italianos are low to average shedders and only require a weekly brushing to keep their coats healthy. If they will be doing a lot of field work, then it might be better to shave the coat to a more manageable level but if they aren’t shaved, make sure you comb through the hair after every outing to remove burrs and other debris.
During seasons when they shed, they will need to have their coat stripped to remove all of the dead hair. Bathing should only be done once or twice a month and you will find that your Spinone Italiano gun dog will lick themselves to keep clean, much like a cat would.
The only other grooming that will need to be done is to keep ears clean and dry and to keep nails clipped to a healthy length.
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
History:
Although the origin and history of the Spinone Italiano is not clear, it is believed to be traced back to about 500 B.C. and most of their history can be attributed to Senofonte, who was a writer and historian in Ancient Greece. During that time, Senofonte documented a breed that was very similar in description to that of the Spinone Italiano and is believed to be the foundation of the breed.
From the time of Senofonte, there is very little information about the Spinone Italiano. We do know that it continue to develop in the Mediterranean and became a very popular hunting dog in Italy.
In fact, the Spinone Italiano was prized as a versatile dog that could not only scent out prey for hunters but could also point it out. Even still, it remained a rare breed and after World War II, the Spinone Italiano was almost changed completely after breeders began introducing other breeds into the line in an effort to save the Spinone Italiano. Thankfully, a handful of breeders maintained the purity of the breed and today, the Spinone Italiano is believed to be relatively unchanged from what they were historically.
The first Spinone Italiano was imported to the United States in 1931. It was accepted by the AKC Miscellaneous class in 1955 and was fully accepted as a sporting dog in 2000. The Spinone Club of America was founded in 1987.
Grouping:
Gun Dog, AKC Sporting Group
Recognition:
CKC, FCI, AKC, KCGB, CKC, NKC, NZKC, SCA, APRI, ACR
For more info on Spinone Italiano Gundogs American Rare Breed Association