Overview
The Spinone Italiano is a strong, solidly built hunting dog from northern Italy, valued for its versatility. It was traditionally used to track, point and retrieve game over any terrain.
Its shaggy coat, thick moustache and mild expression give it a distinctive, almost wise look. Off duty it is a patient and affectionate companion.
History
The breed's exact origins are unknown, but rough-haired pointer-type dogs appear in Italian art from the Renaissance, including a fresco painted around 1470 in Mantua. The modern Spinone took shape in Piedmont in the nineteenth century and became the region's leading hunting dog.
Numbers dropped sharply after the Second World War. Enthusiasts formed a breed society in 1949 and rebuilt the breed from about 1950. The FCI accepted it in 1955.
Appearance
The Spinone is roughly square in outline, powerful and well muscled, built for stamina over any ground. The coat is rough, thick and flat with little undercoat, shorter on the head and legs, with stiff eyebrows and a full beard and moustache.
Colours include solid white, white with orange or chestnut markings, and orange or brown roan. A strong swimmer, it enters cold water readily.
Temperament
Spinoni are mild, sociable and patient, forming close bonds with their families. They are usually good with children and other dogs and are rarely aggressive.
They are intelligent but can be sensitive, responding best to calm, kind and consistent training. They like to be involved in family life and do not do well when left isolated.
Care and exercise
This is an active hunting breed that needs regular daily exercise, ideally with chances to run, swim and use its nose. It is happy to join family outings and enjoys scent work and field activities.
Brush the rough coat weekly and tidy it by hand-stripping or trimming a few times a year. Keep the beard clean and dry, and check the ears regularly.
Health
Neurological conditions identified in the breed include cerebellar abiotrophy and idiopathic epilepsy. A 2024 UK study found a median lifespan of 11.9 years.
