{"id":86960,"date":"2014-11-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-11-25T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/?p=86960"},"modified":"2025-11-08T19:42:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T17:42:37","slug":"spinone-italiano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/breed-spinone-italiano-italian-griffon","title":{"rendered":"Spinone Italiano"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Spinone Italiano<\/strong> (Italian Spinon<\/strong>e)<\/strong> is not just a dog; it’s a true “philosopher” of the canine world, a living piece of Italian history. This peace-loving gentle giant, with a kind, deep, and almost human gaze from beneath shaggy brows, is one of Europe’s oldest gundog breeds. An endurance hunter, perfectly adapted for working in dense, thorny undergrowth (hence the name) and marshlands, he surprisingly turns out to be a gentle and devoted companion at home. His coarse, wiry coat serves as reliable armour against bad weather, water, and thorns. While his formidable, somewhat scruffy, and ‘bearded’ appearance might be misleading, he is, in fact, an incredibly obedient, patient, and loyal family pet. The Spinone is not prone to aggression towards strangers or other dogs, making him a wonderful companion for families with children. Despite all these exceptional qualities, the breed has gained widespread recognition mainly in its homeland, remaining a rare gem beyond its borders. We will tell you more about this unique breed, its character, history, and care details later on Tvaryny<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spinone Italiano: A Breed Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Characteristic<\/th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Breed Name<\/strong><\/td>Spinone Italiano \/ Italian Spinone<\/td><\/tr>
Country of Origin<\/strong><\/td>Italy (Piedmont region)<\/td><\/tr>
FCI Group<\/strong><\/td>Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.3 (Continental Pointing Dogs, “Griffon” type)<\/td><\/tr>
Purpose<\/strong><\/td>Versatile gundog (HPR), companion dog<\/td><\/tr>
Life Expectancy<\/strong><\/td>10-12 years (sometimes up to 14)<\/td><\/tr>
Height at withers (males)<\/strong><\/td>60-70 cm<\/td><\/tr>
Height at withers (females)<\/strong><\/td>58-65 cm<\/td><\/tr>
Weight (males)<\/strong><\/td>32-37 kg<\/td><\/tr>
Weight (females)<\/strong><\/td>28-32 kg<\/td><\/tr>
Temperament<\/strong><\/td>Social, docile, patient, hardy, intelligent, somewhat stubborn<\/td><\/tr>
Coat<\/strong><\/td>Coarse, wiry, dense, 4-6 cm long<\/td><\/tr>
Colour<\/strong><\/td>Solid white, white-and-orange, brown roan (roano-marrone)<\/td><\/tr>
Shedding<\/strong><\/td>Moderate, requires regular grooming (hand-stripping)<\/td><\/tr>
Exercise Needs<\/strong><\/td>High<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Detailed History of the Breed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The history of the Spinone Italiano stretches back to antiquity, making it one of the oldest hunting breeds in Europe. While its exact origin is lost in the mists of time, there is evidence of similar wire-haired dogs existing in Italy as far back as the Roman Empire. Some historians believe the Spinone is a descendant of the ancient Segugio Italiano (Italian Scenthound), crossed with coarse-haired dogs brought by Greek and Adriatic traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most plausible theory links the breed’s emergence to the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. It is believed that local coarse-haired pointing dogs, the Bracco Italiano<\/a>, and possibly French Griffons, such as the Korthals Griffon<\/a>, contributed to the breed’s formation. The name “Spinone” itself derives from the Italian word “spino,” meaning “thorn” or “thorny bush.” This is a direct reference to the type of terrain the dog hunted in – dense, impassable thickets where it easily found and retrieved game, thanks to its protective coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breed was extremely popular among Italian hunters for centuries due to its versatility – the Spinone excelled on both land and water, pointing and retrieving game. However, like many European breeds, the Spinone Italiano faced extinction during the Second World War. The import of faster foreign gundogs, such as English Setters and Pointers, also contributed to the decline in popularity of the slow but methodical Spinone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breed’s revival is credited to a group of enthusiasts, notably Dr. Andrea Ceresoli and other breeders, who began the meticulous work of restoring the population in the 1950s. They searched all over Italy for surviving examples to preserve the breed’s unique working qualities and type. Thanks to their efforts, the breed was officially recognised by the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1954. Today, the Spinone Italiano is not only an excellent gundog but also a beloved companion, although it remains a relatively rare breed outside of Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does the Spinone Italiano Look Like: Breed Standard and Appearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Spinone<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Spinone Italiano is a large, solidly built dog with a distinct “rustic” appearance. Its constitution is strong and muscular, with a robust frame. The overall impression is one of power and endurance, rather than speed or elegance. The body is almost square in profile, with the body’s length being approximately equal to the height at the withers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head and Expression<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The head is one of the breed’s most characteristic features. It is long, with a substantial but not coarse muzzle that appears square when viewed from the side. The transition from forehead to muzzle (the stop) is barely perceptible. The eyes are large, round, and ochre-coloured, with an expression often described as ‘gentle, sad, or almost human’<\/strong>. Thick, wiry eyebrows, a moustache, and a beard give the dog a wise, slightly grumpy look. The ears are pendulous, triangular, set level with the eyes, and covered with shorter hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body, Limbs, and Tail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The neck is muscular, with a slight dewlap. The topline is straight, with the withers slightly raised. The chest is broad and deep, extending down to the elbows. The limbs are straight, with strong bone and large, round ‘cat-like’ paws that are webbed, aiding in swimming. The tail is thick at the base. Historically, the tail was docked to about half its length for hunting purposes, but in many countries (including the UK) docking is now banned or restricted, and the dogs have a long, natural tail, which they carry horizontally or slightly lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coat and Colour of the Spinone Italiano<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coat is a key feature of the breed. It is stiff, wiry, straight, and close-fitting to the body<\/strong>, measuring 4-6 cm in length. On the head, ears, and the front of the limbs, the hair is shorter but forms the characteristic moustache, beard, and eyebrows. An undercoat is absent or very sparse. This type of coat perfectly protects the dog from cold water and thorny bushes, dries quickly, and does not collect much dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breed standard permits the following colours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n