Spinone ItalianoCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says old descriptions mention a wire-haired dog of Italian origin, considered the ancestor of today's Spinone. Sélincourt, in his 1683 book “Le parfait chasseur”, speaks of a “griffon” from Italy and Piedmont.

Wikipedia says that in a fresco painted by Andrea Mantegna around 1470 in the Camera degli Sposi of the Ducal Palace in Mantua, a dog of this kind lies under the chair of Duke Ludovico III Gonzaga. Wire-haired pointing dogs have existed in Italy since at least the Renaissance.

How the breed developed

• Around 1470 – It appears in Mantegna's fresco in Mantua.
• 1683 – Sélincourt describes the “griffon” from Italy and Piedmont.
• 30 April 1955 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as a solid, robust, vigorous dog, with strong bones and well-developed muscles, fitting into a square. The AKC says it is built more for endurance than for speed. It is particularly suited to a long, fast trot.

General appearance

The hair is 4–6 cm long on the body and shorter on the muzzle, head, ears and front of the legs. On the back of the legs it looks like a stiff brush, with no feathering. The long, stiff hair forms thick eyebrows, a moustache and a bushy beard. It has no undercoat.

The standard accepts pure white, white with orange patches, white flecked with orange, white with brown (chestnut) patches, orange roan or brown roan. The preferred shade of brown is the “colour of a monk's habit”. Tricolour and tan markings are not permitted.

The standard describes it as sociable, docile and patient by nature. A breeder quoted by the AKC says Spinoni are “very sensitive, very stubborn and very smart”: training is more of a “barter”. If other breeds, when told “Jump!”, ask “How high?”, the Spinone asks “Why?”.

It can be taught everything from basic obedience to competition level, but with patience, gentleness and motivation.

Tips for effective training

• Be patient. It asks “why?”.
• Use rewards. Training is a “barter”.
• Avoid harshness. It is very sensitive.
• Make it part of the family. The AKC says this is as important as exercise.

The AKC says that, compared with other hunting dogs, the Spinone is “low-revving”. A walk or a hike is good, but not necessarily every day. A large, securely fenced garden, plenty of play and being part of the family keep it happy.

Tips for a balanced life

• It needs a fenced yard.
• Clean the ears weekly.
• Wipe its beard after meals.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says the coat must be hand-stripped, not scissored, to remove dead hair and keep it 4–6 cm long. The ears are cleaned at least once a week, and the nails are trimmed weekly.

Common health problems

The AKC says the Spinone is generally healthy, and responsible breeders check their dogs for:

Other care

• Clean the ears weekly.
• Brush its teeth often.
• Ask for the parents' hip and elbow tests.

The AKC says some Spinoni are fussy eaters. Good-quality food suited to its age is enough.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Split the food into two meals a day.
• Do not let it run right after a meal.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Painted by Mantegna. It appears in a fresco from around 1470.
• It asks “why?”. A breeder says it does not obey blindly.
• It goes into thorns. The standard says it readily enters thorny thickets.
• “Low-revving”. The AKC considers it calm for a hunting dog.
• An Italian plural. The plural is “Spinoni Italiani”.

Mantegna's fresco

Wikipedia says that in the fresco painted by Andrea Mantegna in the Camera degli Sposi of the Ducal Palace in Mantua, around 1470, a dog of this type sits under the chair of Duke Ludovico III Gonzaga.

Is it easy to train?

It is clever but stubborn; it needs patience.

Does it need a lot of exercise?

Less than other hunting dogs.

How do you care for the coat?

It is hand-stripped, not scissored.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives 10–12 years.