Italian Spinone
Gundogs

Group:

Gundog

Size:

large

Lifespan:

12-14 years

Exercise:

moderate

Grooming:

low

Trainability:

moderate

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

Italy

Date of Origin:

1200’s

Other Names:

Spinone Italiano, Italian Griffon

Original Function:

pointing and retrieving

History

Although not common outside of its country of origin, the Spinone is a breed that has been rescued from the straits of oblivion and is fast growing in numbers around the world. In the UK in 1998, 126 Spinone qualified for Crufts and in the US they have an extremely strong following. It should be noted that in the US the Spinone is still classed as a Rare Breed but this is to ensure the planned growth of the breed. The Spinone can lay claim to being one of the oldest gundog breeds in existence, identified as a distinct type almost 2000 years ago and with reliable records of the breed from the Renaissance onwards. Along with its shorthaired cousin the Bracco Italiano, these dogs are the two most common gundogs in Italy. Developed as an all round hunting dog, along the basic premise of all of the Continental hunters, the Spinone is capable of performing any task required of it; hunting, pointing, retrieving on land as well as water, trailing, bailing and subduing large, wounded and dangerous quarry! It has been selectively bred for use in the north of Italy, the mountains, marshes and heavily forested areas, which means the dog is well suited for New Zealand conditions. The famous Spinone temperament has also endeared them to a growing number of pet owners with the close bond it forms with its 'pack' making for a wonderful relationship. It is said that no human can be as close to his or her dog as a Spinone is to its human.

Temperament

Italian Spinone are intelligent and easy going. Highly patient, this breed loves all children and likes the company of other dogs as well. Spinone are somewhat stubborn and like to do things in a slow and steady kind of way.

Upkeep

Like all hunting dogs, the Spinone needs daily exercise. This can take the form of a long walk or good run off leash. It can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates, but it is a family dog and prefers to share time with its people. Coat care consists of weekly brushing, plus occasional hand-stripping to neaten the face and feet.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
Intrepid and untiring, very hardy, adaptable to any terrain including water. All purpose gundog.

Temperament:
Faithful, intelligent, patient and affectionate.

Head and Skull:
Head long, skull flat, lean; sides gently sloping and very slightly rounded, equal in length from well developed occiput to stop as from gently sloping stop to tip of nose. Median furrow pronounced. Nose, large, spongy in appearance, protruding over rather thin lips.

Eyes:
Large, fairly round and open, eyelids close fitting. Deep yellow in white, and white and orange; ochre in brown roans.

Ears:
Set on level with corner of eye, long, but not more than two inches below jaw line, pendulous, forward edge touching cheek. Triangular in shape, slightly rounded at tip, covered with thick short hair, longer and denser at edges.

Mouth:
Jaws powerful with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite, ie Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips rather thin.

Neck:
Strong, muscular, fairly short, merging into shoulder, slight, divided dewlap.

Forequarters:
Shoulders strong, well muscled and well laid back. Points of shoulder set well apart. Forelegs straight, bone oval; strong well defined tendons. Pasterns slightly sloping when viewed from side, elbows turning neither in nor out.

Body:
Length equal to height at withers, chest broad, open, well let down. Brisket reaching at least to level of elbows. Front of sternum comes well forward below points of shoulders. Ribs open, well sprung. Topline, a very slight slope from raised withers to well muscled loins, slight rise from loin to broad and muscular croup, croup sloping.

Hindquarters:
Thighs long, broad, muscular and strong. Hocks well let down. Metatarsals vertical on extension of buttock line. Tendons clearly visible.

Feet:
Front compact, round. Hind feet slightly oval. Toes arched covered with short thick hair especially between toes. Nails strong, arched. Pads hard. Pigmented according to coat colours. Never black. Dew claws on all four feet.

Tail:
Thick at base, set on as a continuation of croup line, carried horizontally or down, preferable docked to half its length.

Gait/Movement:
Free, relaxed and capable of fast trot.

Coat:
Tough, thick, slightly wiry, close fitting, length 3.8-6cms (1.5 to 2.5 ins) on body, shorter on nasal bridge, ears and head, even shorter on front of legs and feet. Eyebrows consist of longer stiffer hair; even longer but softer hair covers cheeks and upper lips forming moustache and beard. Skin thick and leathery.

Colour:
White, white with orange markings; solid white peppered orange, white with brown markings, white speckled with brown (brown roan), with or without large brown markings. Pigment of skin, eyelids, nose, lips and pads fleshy red in white dogs deeper in white/orange and brown roan dogs.

Size:
Dogs: 34-39 kgs (70-82 lbs). Bitches: 29-34 kgs (62-71 lbs). Dogs: 59-69 cms (23.5 - 27.5 ins); Bitches: 58-64 CMS (23-25.5 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.