Spinone Italiano
An ancient Italian gundog that worked thorn scrub and cold marsh at a patient trot, never far from the hunter. Calmer than most sporting breeds, but it comes with a wiry coat to strip, a beard that drips, and thirty-odd kilos of dog.
- Weight
- 28–37 kg
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
The Spinone is one of Italy's oldest pointing breeds, developed to push into dense thorn cover and cold wetland that other dogs would rather avoid. It was never asked to run flat out. It works at a deliberate, ground-covering trot and stays within sight of the gun, which is why the modern Spinone is such a close-following, people-oriented dog at home.
Exercise and play
Exercise needs are moderate for a sporting breed this size. About an hour a day, split across two outings, with a decent share of it spent sniffing and exploring rather than heeling, keeps most Spinoni content. Moderate does not mean optional, though.
A Spinone that misses its day carries objects around the house and shadows you demanding attention.
Coat and everyday care
The coat is harsh and wiry, with pronounced eyebrows and beard. Brush once or twice a week to pull out dead hair, and hand-strip two or three times a year to keep the texture. Do not clipper the coat down: clipping softens it and costs the dog its weather resistance.
The thing owners actually deal with daily is the beard. It soaks up water at every drink and then redistributes it across your floors, so a mat under the bowl and a towel by the door are practical necessities. Expect some drool as well.
Before bringing this dog home
Underneath the rugged exterior is a soft dog. Raised voices and heavy corrections shut a Spinone down, and housetraining often takes longer than in other breeds, which surprises people who expect a big gundog to be quick about it. Talk to breeders about hip dysplasia, cerebellar ataxia, which has a DNA test in this breed, eyelid problems such as entropion and ectropion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus given the deep chest.
Home environment and care planning
A fenced yard and a rural or suburban setting suit the breed well. In a hot, humid climate the dense wiry coat works against the dog, so keep summer exercise to the cooler ends of the day and give it a shaded, ventilated place to lie down.