Italian Spinone Italiano

The breed was not officially known as "Spinone" until the early nineteenth century. In some areas the breed was known as the "Spinoso". The breed was named after an Italian thorn bush, the pino, which was a favorite hiding place for small game because for larger animals it was practically impenetrable. Only thick-skinned, coarse-haired animals could fight through the branches unharmed to locate the game. The Spinone was the breed most capable of doing so, and therefore the name was formed. It is often used for hunting, pointing, and retrieving game (HPR). The Spinone is easy going, docile, and affectionate towards both people and dogs. Centuries of working with man as a hunting companion has created a loyal, intelligent dog that is easily trained, although some can be stubborn about performing a learned task if they see no point in it. Because they are sensitive, motivational training works best for this breed, as this gentle creature's feelings can easily be hurt when handled incorrectly. The Spinone has a square build (the length of the body is approximately equal to the height at the withers). It is a solidly built

dog with a strong, well-muscled body and limbs that are suited to almost any kind of terrain. The Spinone can sometimes be confused with a German Wirehaired Pointer by someone not familiar with the breeds. He has an expression that shows intelligence and understanding and is often described as having human-like eyes. Height at withers: Dogs: 60–70 cm. Bitches: 59–65 cm. Weight should be in the correct proportion to size and structure: Dogs: 34–39 kg. Bitches: 29–34 kg. The coat is tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting. The preferred length is 4–6 cm on the body; however, the ears, muzzle, head, and parts of the legs and feet are covered with shorter hair. Eyebrows have longer and stiffer hair; longer but softer hair covers cheeks and muzzle, creating a moustache and beard. The Spinone should not have an undercoat. A long, soft or silky coat is undesired and is a sign of excessive grooming. Pigment of skin, nose, lips, and the pads on their feet should be a fleshy red-orange in white dogs, slightly darker in orange and brown roan dogs. The tail of the Spinone is customarily docked at half its length (approx 140 to 200 mm from the base of the tail), and it sports dewclaws on all four feet, giving its hind legs an overly large appearance.

Hunting Dogs Good Hunter? Gun Dog Breeds Hunting Setter English Setter Gordon Setter Laverack Setter Irish Setter Bracos Hunters Italian Bracos French Braco Saint Germain Braco Auvernia Braco German Shorthaired Pointer or Kurzhaar Hungarian Pointer Epagneul Breton Griffons as Hunters Italian Griffon Spinone Italiano Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals German Wirehaired German Wirehaired Pointer or Drahthaar Pointers as Hunting Dogs Perdiguero de Burgos or Spanish Pointer Perdiguero Navarro Old Spanish Pointer English Pointer Retrievers as Hunters Labrador Golden Retriever Golden Retriever History of the English Cocker Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Springer Spaniel Hounds as Hunters Porcelaine History of the Harrier Harrier Beagle Beagles Ibizan Hound Podenco Ibicenco Ibizan Hound Sicilian Greyhound Cirneco dell' Etna Sicilian Greyhound Training Hunting Dogs Why train hunting dog puppies New Puppy Puppy Hunting House training Puppy Potty Training Hunting Name Dog Training Come Command Puppy Stay Accidents & illnesses Rabies symptoms Canine distemper Canine Leptopirosis Internal parasites Types of Worms Hydatid cysts External parasites Ears-Eyes Care Emergencies Care Resuscitating a dog Types of Dog Skin Injury Hunting dog hemorrhages Correct Nutrition Nutrition Hand feeding Puppy Food Breed Reproduction Breeding Cycle Spaying Mating When to Breed Pregnancy of the female dog Birthing puppy dogs Dog Kennel