Italian Spinone

A breed that masterfully blends elegance and practicality is the Italian Spinone. These canines, renowned for their amiable disposition and robust work ethic, have been hunting companions for centuries. They make wonderful family pets because of their loving disposition and need for human interaction.

The Italian Spinone is a friendly, adaptable breed that is well-known for its hunting prowess and calm demeanor. As such, it is a great companion for both outdoor enthusiasts and families. This breed, with its unique wiry coat and expressive eyes, is not only a lovely addition to any home but also one that needs frequent exercise and company. The Spinone is an exceptional option because of its unique combination of affection and versatility, whether you’re searching for a devoted companion or a competent working dog.

The Italian Spinone is an amazing breed that is distinguished by its adaptability and amiable disposition. These dogs, who are renowned for their endurance and acute sense of smell, make excellent hunters in addition to being wonderful companions. Their devoted and loving nature makes them a treasured addition to any family, whether they are at home or on the field.

It can be a fulfilling experience to train an Italian Spinone. They can pick up a variety of commands and tricks with the correct approach because they are intelligent and eager to please. In order for them to develop into well-adjusted adults, socialization is essential. Since they love being active, regular exercise is also necessary to keep them happy and healthy.

If you are thinking about bringing an Italian Spinone into your house, be ready for a dog that will fit right in. Their affectionate disposition and lively spirit will make every day happier for you. They can provide countless memories and unconditional love for many years if given the right care.

Breed	Italian Spinone
Origin	Italy
Size	Medium to large
Temperament	Friendly, loyal
Coat	Wiry, water-resistant
Exercise Needs	Moderate
Grooming	Low to moderate
Good With Kids	Yes

General characteristics of the breed

Italian Spinone are a breed of dog. These hunters are all-purpose; they can hunt both on land and in water. They are shielded from branches and thorns by thick, hard wool. They are so named because the Italian word "spinone" means "thorn" in this context. Additional names include Italian griffon and Italian wirehaired pointer.

These dogs are good workers in all situations. They can adapt to any climate and don’t mind being in the cold. They follow the beast with ease, navigating through any dense vegetation. They have excellent vision, a strong sense of smell, and the ability to locate prey.

They don’t run as quickly as the other officers do, but it’s still enough to keep up with small game. They are resilient, long-lasting, tenacious, and productive. At home, calm, considerate, and silent. Owing to their attachment and focus on their owners, they are frequently used as family or companion dogs. Moreover, spinon can be zoopsychologists, cans, and rescuers.

Parameters	Characteristic
The name of the breed	Italian Spinona (Ital. Spinone Italiano)
country	Italy
Classification Group of MKF classification	cops, constituent constituencies
Application	Hunter, companion
life expectancy	10-14 years
height	males 60-70 cm, females 58-65 cm
weight	males 32-37 kg, females 28-30 kg

Pros

Italian Spinones are gorgeous, large dogs with a striking muzzle. He is great for families with kids because he is not at all aggressive. They are obedient, loving companions. We refer to them as "dogs with human faces." Owners observe that they have numerous benefits:

• they have universal hunting qualities;
• attractive appearance;
• loyal, obedient;
• balanced and calm;
• sociable, playful and affectionate;
• smart, easy to train;
• love children;
• bark little;
• their coat almost does not shed, does not emit a dog smell, does not cause allergies;
• easy to care for.

Cons

However, since this is a hunting breed, not everyone should own one. Those who are homebodies or spend a lot of time away from home would be better off without a Spinone. These dogs require regular exercise and lengthy walks. They also suffer from the following drawbacks:

• can be stubborn, slow;
• prone to drooling;
• cannot be guards;
• due to a strong hunting instinct, they run after small animals on the street;
• do not tolerate loneliness well.

History of the breed"s origin

The exact details of the breed’s past are unknown. Scholars surmise that it is extremely old. Greek philosophers had spoken of similar wire-haired dogs, which were depicted in images discovered during Pompeii excavations. One account claims that their ancestors traveled from Eastern Europe to the Italian peninsula.

It is the consensus of all researchers that the breed dates back at least two millennia. However, no one has made a specific effort to select. These dogs’ progenitors included European griffons, Italian segugio, Roman hounds, and pointers. Because of the way they hunt, which involves going straight through prickly bushes, they were given the nickname Spinone.

The breed had fallen out of favor by the turn of the 20th century. Less resilient but quicker pointers were not as popular as these canines. And later, the breed was in danger of going extinct because of two world wars. The Spinone Dog Union was established, a standard was developed, and it was saved by enthusiasts. Representatives of this breed were given a monument in Polesine made of shell casings and shell fragments as a token of appreciation for their assistance to common people during the First World War.

The Spinone was formally recognized by the FCI in 1955. However, it is more commonly referred to in the world as an Italian Griffon or Wirehaired Pointer. Currently, the breed is among the rarest; fewer than 1000 puppies are registered annually in Italy alone. These dogs are typically acquired as companions by modern dog breeders.

Description of appearance

Large and robust in stature, the Italian Spinone dog breed has a nearly square body type. The female is slightly shorter than the male, who can reach a height of 70 cm. These dogs’ standard features include the following aspects of their appearance:

• the head is large, with a well-developed occipital protuberance;
• the muzzle is elongated, with parallel cheekbones, because of the characteristic mustache and beard it seems square from the front;
• the stop is smooth, with a vertical furrow;
• the bridge of the nose is straight or slightly convex, the lobe is large, pink or brown;
• the eyes are large, round, wide apart, the color is light brown or yellowish;
• the ears are hanging, narrow, of medium length, set low;
• the neck is short, the chest is wide, there is a small double dewlap;
• the croup is long, sloping;
• the tail is thick at the base, of medium length, traditionally docked;
• the limbs are strong, muscular, with pronounced angles of joints;
• the paws are compact, the toes are arched, between them the hair grows thickly;
• the gait is smooth, springy, the dog runs at a fast trot;
• the coat is without undercoat, hard, tight-fitting;
• hair of medium length, especially long on the belly, back of the limbs, ears, on the muzzle forms eyebrows, a long beard and moustache;
• the color is mainly white with brown or orange markings, can be roan, chestnut-roan, rarely pure white.

Photos add context to the appearance description:

Character and training

The Italian Spinone is a calm, gentle dog with a pleasant disposition. He gets along with all pets and does not act aggressively toward strangers. never gets into disputes with other canines. He is kind and patient with kids because he adores them so much.

Spinones try to stay close to their owners and grow quite attached to them. They require dialogue and consideration. They never push themselves, even though they act composed at home. Their favorite spot to lie is at their owner’s feet. Representatives of this breed do not chew objects or make messes, even as puppies.

These intelligent dogs aspire to please their devoted owner. As a result, training is usually not problematic. All you have to do is figure out the best strategy. You can always bargain with the Spinone instead of yelling at him or making him do anything. Additionally, the dog may become obstinate or become offended in reaction to rudeness and aggression. Representatives of this breed are unique in that they choose their owner, whom they regard as an authority figure, despite being obedient. Children are loved by Spinone, but they are disobedient.

It suffices for the dog to be OKD with simple commands if it is started as a companion. This breed has no interest in dog sports, and studying the ZKS course will harm it. Training for hunting is mandatory only for dogs that intend to hunt. Start of special training is between 7-8 months of age.

These intriguing images show how these dogs behave:

The Italian Spinone is a humble companion. The ideal location is a private home with a garden. However, it’ll also get along well in an apartment in the city. Regardless of the care approach, these dogs require lengthy, vigorous walks. They adore playing on dog playgrounds, running, searching, and bringing objects. To give your pet the chance to run around, you should take him outside at least once a week.

Grooming a spine is simple. Since these dogs have wire hair, brushing is not necessary. The coat should only be brushed twice a year during shedding to hasten hair loss. These dogs are trimmed two or three times a year. The coat can self-clean, and the spines are clean. As a result, you should only give them a shampoo bath once every quarter. You can use clean water to give your pet a wash if needed.

Also, you’ll need to follow the standard hygiene protocols:

• regularly check the eyes, if necessary, remove discharge with a clean napkin;
• clean the ears once a week, after trips to nature, check them for parasites;
• wash the paws after walks to make them easier to care for, regularly trim the hair between the toes;
• wipe the beard and mustache after eating, if the dog is not exhibited, you can shorten them a little, so they will not get dirty too much;
• claws usually grind down on their own, but if the dog rarely walks on asphalt, as they grow they need to be trimmed.

Nutrition

It is the opinion of some Italian Spinone breeders that the dog should only be fed natural food in order to preserve its hunting instincts. Veterinarians, however, advise selecting dog food that is both appropriate for the dog and convenient for the owner. An excellent dry food will meet all of your pet’s needs. The brands listed below are appropriate:

• Orijen Adult Freeze-Dried;
• Bosch Dog Premium;
• ACANA Grass-Fed Lamb;
• Bavaro Solid;
• Hubertus Gold Adult.

Protein products make up the majority of the diet when feeding natural food. Porridge ought to be served sparingly. Lean meat, poultry, offal, sea fish, cottage cheese, and vegetables should be the dog’s diet.

Health

The Italian Spinone is immune system strong and in good health. These dogs can swim in icy water with calmness because they are resilient. They live 10–14 years on average and seldom get sick. They can occasionally get the following illnesses:

• otitis;
• allergies;
• joint pathologies;
• eye diseases;
• gastric torsion;
• hypothyroidism;
• epilepsy.

Breed	Italian Spinone
Origin	Italy
Size	Medium to large
Temperament	Friendly, loyal
Coat	Wiry, water-resistant
Exercise Needs	Moderate
Grooming	Low to moderate
Good With Kids	Yes

The Italian Spinone is an amazing breed that is distinguished by its adaptability and amiable disposition. These dogs, who are renowned for their endurance and acute sense of smell, make excellent hunters in addition to being wonderful companions. Their devoted and loving nature makes them a treasured addition to any family, whether they are at home or on the field.

It can be a fulfilling experience to train an Italian Spinone. They can pick up a variety of commands and tricks with the correct approach because they are intelligent and eager to please. In order for them to develop into well-adjusted adults, socialization is essential. Since they love being active, regular exercise is also necessary to keep them happy and healthy.

If you are thinking about bringing an Italian Spinone into your house, be ready for a dog that will fit right in. Their affectionate disposition and lively spirit will make every day happier for you. They can provide countless memories and unconditional love for many years if given the right care.

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