This Italian dog breed was originally bred as a versatile gun dog, which it remains to this day, making it one of the most loyal, friendly and alert dog breeds available.
Origin
The Spinone is a very ancient breed, believed to be one of the oldest gun dogs in existence.
It is not known exactly what the origins of the breed are, but people familiar with the history of the breed claim that it descended from the now-extinct Spanish Pointer. Others however, claim that it was the ancient Russian Setter that is responsible for the breed we know today.
The breed was not officially known as Spinone until the early 19th century.
Description
Female average height is 22 to 25 in (59–65 cm), males go between 23 and 27 inches (60–70 cm), while their coat is tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting.
The preferred coat length is 1.5 to 2.5 in (3.8 to 6.4 cm) on the body, whereas the ears, muzzle, head, and parts of the legs and feet are covered with slightly shorter hair.
As far as the color is concerned, acceptable variants are solid white, white with orange markings, orange roan with or without orange markings, white with brown markings, and brown roan with or without brown markings.
The Spinone is well known for being loving and gentle with children, and with its bright, affectionate and easy-going temperament, the breed is a perfect family dog.
Pros
- great with kids
- dog/cat friendly
- trainable
- intelligent
- adaptable
Cons
- low life expectancy (8 years on average)
Should I adopt/buy a Spinone Italiano?
If you are looking for a loyal, even-tempered and intelligent canine companion for your family, the Spinone Italiano is definitely the breed to consider.