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Spinone Italiano

The Spinone Italiano is affectionate, devoted and has a sense of humor. He can rock as a family dog or jogging companion.

Overall Status

Height 22 to 27 inches
Temperament Sociable, Patient, Docile
Weight 75 to 86 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 12 years
Coat Color Brown, Red, White
Barking Level When Necessery

Quick Factors

Playfulness
Dog Friendly
Exercise Need
Grooming Needs
Strangers Friendly
Family Affectionate
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Daily Care

Grooming Tips Exercise Tips Feeding Tips Health Tips Trainability

The Spinone has a dense, wiry coat that resists weather and protects him from brush and debris. As he has no undercoat, he needs only occasional brushing and hand stripping to remove dead hair. For stripping your Spinone’s coat, you can use either a stripping knife (don’t worry – it won’t cut your dog) or your bare hands. Your breeder can show you proper technique, and how to tell how much hair needs to be stripped. Because of his harsh coat, he will only need a bath if he gets into something really gross.

You may want to keep a hand towel close by when your Spinone gets a drink because afterward his beard will drip water all over the place.

Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear down the toenails naturally.

History

The Spinone Italiano is one of the oldest breeds to be developed as a pointer and its history as Italy’s all-purpose hunting dog can be traced as far back as 500 B.C. The first wirehaired pointing dogs were bred by ancient Italian hunters that needed large, powerful dogs that could navigate the tough Alpine and Apennine mountains and surrounding marshlands. There are references made in historical texts as old as 200 A.D of hunting dogs with the careful, productive hunting style that is typical of the Spinone. The middle ages saw even more consistent reports of wirehaired, large and comparable pointing dogs with hunting styles comparable to that of the Spinone. However, the breed saw a steep decline during the aftermath of World War II and was only resuscitated through the efforts of dedicated breeders.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Spinone in 2000. It ranks 118th among the breeds registered by the AKC.

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