The SPINONE ITALIANO

Other names: Spinone, Italian Griffon
Origin: Italy
Use: gun dog
Recognition: FCI, AKC, TKC, CKC



HISTORY:
This gun dog breed is ancient, first recordings being made around 500 BC. The exact origin however, as in many other ancient breeds, remains under a cloud of mistery as, over time, several potentially correct theories have been forwarded. Some believe the Spinone to be a descendant of the extinct Russian Setter, others - that it has evolved from the also-extinct Spanish Pointer, while some believe it to be equally related to Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Pudelpointer.

For many decades, the Spinone was Italy`s all-purpose hunting dog. Posessing good eyesight, keen sense of smell and large webbed paws, this dog excells at flushing out prey (pheasant, quail etc), retrieving and swimming (duck).

However, as in the case of other dog breeds, the two World Wars that shook Europe took their tole on the Spinone as well. As men enroled in the army, the number of hunting enthusiasts declined, and accompanied by the growing popularity of the more "fashionable", faster and lighter French hunting breeds, the Spinone came close to extinction. But not all was lost and a handfull of breed enthusiasts started, after WW 2, to revive the breed. However, only few pure specimens remained and in order to widen the gene pool, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and German Wirehaired Pointer blood was added.

Nowadays, the Spinone is not a very well known breed outside of Italy and the Mediteranean region, but as the AKC officially recognized it in 2000, the number of Spinoni in the US has grown steadily.

The Spinone Italiano is still used as a gun dog and breeders in Italy strive to conserve the dog`s natural instincts and talents over the generations.

CHARACTERISTICS:
The Spinone is quite a big, sturdy dog, which is something quite uncommon for today`s modern Pointers and gun dogs. Being big-boned means that a Spinone will lack the speed of other lighter gun dogs such as the German Wirehaired Pointer, but will compensate this disadvantage by being more docile, willing to please in the field and being able to retrieve over water.

Having such a rough coat means that a Spinone will not require much brushing and bathing, although the occasional coat maintenance is necessary.

As any other ancient hunting breed, they require regular exercise and do not find any other activity more rewarding than a walk in a field.

Their temperament is very calm, friendly to the family and to strangers alike.
They do enjoy the company of children, but do not make good guard dogs as they are very trustfull.
The Spinone has a strong prey drive and should not be trusted around other smaller pets (birds, rabbits etc.).
Tail is traditionally docked at half it`s original length.

COAT:
- rough, slightly wiry, close fitting
- colors: solid white, white with orange or brown markings, orange roan, brown roan.

SIZE:
- Height: 23.5 - 27.5 (60 - 70 cm)
- Weight: 75 - 86 lbs (34 - 39 kg)


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