Stichelhaar, Pudelpointer and Spinone
The hard-haired pointers are much appreciated because they are resistant and versatile. They work in water with pleasure. Not a long time ago, several breeds of hard-haired griffon were crossed among each other, therefore nowadays it is not easy even for an expert to determine what breed it is about. The Stichelhaar is one the oldest hard-haired griffons raised in Germany. Nowadays, it is getting extinct because it has been replaced by other hard-haired breeds.
By the end of the 19th century, a German expert tried to get a breed with a firm pointer that enjoys searching, and that works the water. As a result of crossing the pointer with the poodle, the Pudelpointer was born after many difficulties. The specimens of the first generation were excellent but in later generations the specimens had not desired characteristics. Although the Book of Origins of the breed was established in April in 1925 (in other words, only the animals which parents are mentioned in one of the previous volumes may be inscribed in it), the breed is still not balanced.
In the north of Italy, there is an interesting breed and no doubt it is the most ancient breed of hard-haired pointers. It is the Spinone considered by many authors as the ancestor of all the hard-haired griffons. We found descriptions of this dog in the 17th already. Later, especially in the 19th century, a great part of its hunting qualities were improved thanks to other breeds of pointers, and nowadays it is an excellent dog to work in difficult conditions, especially in swamps.
Stichelhaar. Size: 60-66 cm. Weight: 30 kg. Colors: brownish-gray white, a mixture of white and gray with fairly big dark brown patches (1). The eyes are brown.
Pudelpointer (2). Size: 60-65 cm. Weight: 25-30 kg. Colors: all the range of browns. The small white patches, discrete on the chest are accepted. The eyes go from yellow to light yellowish brown.
Spinone (3). Size: 52-68 cm. Weight: 30-35 kg. Colors: white, or white with orange or chestnut patches. The eyes go from dark yellow to ocher yellow.
