Breeds / Size not published
Spinone Italiano puppies
Patient, affectionate and unhurried, the Spinone Italiano is an Italian pointing dog that hunts at a trot and wants to live indoors as part of the family.
The facts
- Size class Not published
- Country of origin Italy
- Adult weight Not published
- Adult weight in pounds Not published
- Adult height 56 to 69 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium wiry
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano is an Italian pointing dog of great age, worked in marsh and hill country for a hunter on foot rather than on horseback, which is why they cover ground at a steady trot. They stand 56 to 69 cm, with a thick wiry coat, a beard, bushy eyebrows and a soft, almost human expression. Spinoni are famously easy going: patient, slow to take offence, sociable with other dogs, and inclined to lean their whole weight against the nearest person.
Exercise needs are moderate for a gundog. A good walk or hike most days keeps one content, along with being in the middle of family life, since the breed does badly shut outside or kennelled. The coat should be hand stripped rather than clipped or scissored, and the beard carries water across the kitchen floor after every drink. Training works through encouragement and patience. New owners often expect a busy pointer and are caught out by how sensitive and slow to mature a Spinone is.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Spinone Italiano puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Cerebellar ataxia, detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Inherited eye disease including entropion and ectropion, found on veterinary eye examination
- Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
Your Spinone Italiano puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the Not published adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Buying guides for this
More on the Spinone Italiano
Previous: Spanish Water Dog · Next: Sprocker Spaniel
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Spinone Italiano breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/spinone-italiano/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for adult weight, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.
Photo: Timberdoodle Kennels, Ron and Pat Rosinski, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.