Italian Spinone

One of the earliest pointing dogs, the Spinone Italiano likely goes back as far as 500 B.C. They might have come from Celtic wirehaired breeds, or through Greek traders who brought them to Italy during the Roman Empire. The modern Italian Spinone dog hails from Italy’s Piedmont region, where they found work chasing small animals through prickly ground cover. During World War II, the Spinone dog breed tracked German patrols. Like many other breeds, the Italian Spinone found itself decimated by the end of the War years. 

However, in 1950 there was a concerted effort to rescue the dog. They are popular in Italy but have been slower to catch on in America. 

Owners of Italian Spinone dogs will need patience, a sense of humor, and not be fussy about mess. While they can be eager to please, they can be slow to mature and also have a bit of an independent streak. The ideal partner will enjoy romping outdoors and be laid back about drool, shedding, water residue, and mud throughout their home.

Walking, running, playing, and training should all be in the Spinone Italiano’s repertoire. They enjoy long walks, especially if there’s water, and don’t mind a bit of bramble or brush. Mud will likely feature heavily in the life of the owner of an Italian Spinone dog.

Rural areas are best for the Italian Spinone dog breed. They are large dogs with coats that can hold quite a lot of water and mud. They drool heavily, too. A large home with a fenced-in yard and access to a variety of walks is a dream setup for an Italian Spinone dog.

Bushy eyebrows, a mustache and beard, and long lip hairs give the dog its wizened look—and make it necessary to wipe the dog and check them for food and dribble. The heavy coat can hold quite a lot of water and mud and needs brushing regularly and stripping to remove dead hairs.

Training is a take-it-or-leave-it endeavor for the Spinone dog, who doesn’t enjoy training for the sake of it but is eager to please their owners. They can be funny dogs, often clownish. If you are patient and take the time to train them on their terms, training can be a rewarding bonding moment.

Active families who live in more rural areas and who don’t mind a lot of mud will enjoy owning an Italian Spinone dog. Smaller children and elderly family members aren’t the best fit because of their sheer size and slow maturity rate.

The cost of an Italian Spinone from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.