Strong dog, resistant, tempered , with a determined character, but also docile and obedient. An uncommon mix. It is defined as a pointing dog, suitable for hunting on all terrains.

• Origin of the Spinone
• Spinone morphology
• Spinone Psychology
• Spinone care

Origins of the Spinone

The Italian Spinone has a thousand-year history : Seneca and Xenophon speak of it in their treatises, like a hard-haired hunting dog.

There are traces of it then in the seventeenth century, when  he was called “griffone”. This breed was for hunting and retrieving, highly esteemed in the European royal courts.

In a work “ Le parfait chasseur ” by Jacques Espée de Selincourt he is indicated as one of the best dogs of his kind of Italian origin.
It also appears in a work by Mantegna exhibited in Mantua . at the Doge’s Palace.

The breed of the so-called “griffons”, with which all shaggy-haired hunting dogs were generally indicated, had undergone a decline with the fashion and therefore the spread of English hunting dogs.

The Spinone Italiano resumed its popularity in the 1940s and 1950s thanks to veterinarians and some breeders who admired the breed, who protected the standard.

Spinone morphology

It is a large breed , the Italian Spinone is a dog with a massive , square structure (the length of the trunk is equal to the height at the withers), the bone is well structured and covered by powerful muscles. It can weigh around 37 kg for a height of 70 cm at the withers.

The coat is hard and coarse , long on the body shorter on the legs and around the ears and eyes. The eyes are of an intense ocher color and the triangular, long ears.

The expression of the muzzle is particular, almost frowning, due to the fur, so much so that it earned him the epithet of “poet dog”. The coat colors allowed are white, honeydew, chestnut, orange roan, brown roan. The tail is thick at the root and without fringes.

Psychology and character of Spinone

The Spinone is a dog with a docile and calm nature. He is very patient, also suitable for living with the liveliest children. He gets very attached to his family, almost viscerally. He loves being in company and participating in the life of his loved ones with involvement.

He is also at ease in the apartment. Very intelligent , he adapts to all latitudes, cold climates, difficult terrain, long walks. He is easily trainable thanks to his flexibility and attention.