Full name: Spinone Italiano Dog

Type: large dog

Alias: Italian Wire-haired Pointing Dog, Italian Pointer

Height: 22 ½ -27 ½ inches (59-70 cm)

English name: Spinone Italiano

Country of Origin: Italy

Weight :64-86 pounds (29-39 kg)

Hair length: Long hair

Function: gun dog

Life: About 12-14 years

 

 

 

 

History

An all purpose hunting dog, the Spinone Italiano is one of Italy’s oldest dog breeds. Records of bristly haired hunting dogs trace back as far as 500 BC, but we can only be certain that the Spinone Italiano has been around since the 13th century. Renaissance paintings indicate that wire haired pointers had a strong presence in Italy in the 15th and 16th century. The Spinone Italiano is an Italian setter cross, bred perhaps to White Mastiffs or French Griffons. The Spinoni’s traits are said not to have changed much from those of their ancestors; their fast trot and excellent sense of smell have remained intact for centuries.

The Spinone Italiano was a fairly well used hunting dog for hundreds of years, but by the beginning of the 20th century its popularity had waned. World War II was also unkind to the Spinone, and by 1950 the breed was nearly extinct. During the 1950s a dedicated group of hunters set out to restore the breed to its former glory. These efforts were successful, and today the Spinone Italiano is a popular pet in much of Europe. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2000, though it has yet to gain much of a foothold in America.

The Spinone Italiano is named for an Italian thorn bush called the pino because with its thick, tough skin the Spinone Italiano was particularly adept at hunting in these

bushes.

Temperament

The Spinone Italiano is social, patient and docile. They are hardworking and courageous, but not especially aggressive. Spinoni are considered to be very practical dogs that learn fast, although they have a slow and steady style and can be stubborn. They require reasons behind the tasks asked of them. Some trainers have observed that this dog is very eager to retrieve dead birds, but hesitant to pick up training dummies. Spinoni are extremely friendly and playful, making them wonderful with people but not so wonderful as guard dogs. They are quiet, gentle and good with other animals and children. They are also very sensitive and can be timid if not properly socialized.

The Spinone Italiano is an intelligent breed that is easy to train but can sometimes be a bit stubborn or headstrong. They excel in obedience and can be trained for search and rescue, agility, retrieving, fly ball and even as an assistance or therapy dog.

General Appearance

Muscular dog with powerful bone. Vigorous and robust, his purpose as hardworking gun dog is evident. Naturally sociable, the docile and patient Spinone is resistant to fatigue and is an experienced hunter on any terrain. His hard textured coat is weather resistant. His wiry , dense coat and thick skin enable the Spinone to negotiate underbrush and endure cold water that would severely punish any dog ​​not so naturally armored. He has a remarkable tendency for an extended and fast trotting gait. The Spinone is an excellent retriever by nature.

Body type

Ideal size
Height: Male: 23 ½ -27 ½ inches (60-70 cm) Female: 22 ½ -25 ½ inches (59-65 cm)
Weight: Male :75-86 pounds (34-39 kg) Female :64-75 pounds (29-34 kg)

Head

Long, Spinone Italiano’s head profile is very unique.
Expression: this species is extremely important. Should show intelligence and gentleness. Head oval, slightly sloping sides. Occiput was prominent, the forehead of the groove is very obvious.
Tone of voice: from the front, was square. The length of muzzle and head the same length. Tone contours and the contours of the head is not parallel to each other, face down. The width of the middle tone length about 1 / 3. The stop is barely perceptible.
Nose: slightly Roman nose better, but can also accept the straight nose, not a fault.
Lips: tightly wrapped chin. Concentrated in the head and the tone of the lips where the surface or the formation of the plate face is a serious fault, and the need to strictly excluded from the competition away.
Eyes: must be gentle with a sweet expression, ocher color (slightly yellowish brown), dark dog’s eyes are dark, light-colored dog’s eye color is light. Eyes large, open, location subdivision far, the eye is almost round. Eyes tightly fitting lids, in hunting, to protect the eyes are not subject to sediment debris damage, loose eyelids are faulty. Eyes not prominent nor deep. Eyes were visible, with the coat color varies from flesh-colored to brown both. Eye color band is a disqualification.
Nose: the appearance of spherical, sponge-like, on the edge of the circle appears. Nostrils large and open. From the outline view, prominent part of the nose a little more forward than the lip. White dog’s nose is flesh-colored pigment; white and orange color of the dog’s nose is deeper; brown or brown roan dog’s nose color is brown. Nose color other than standard to allow any color, or lack of pigment is a disqualification.
Teeth: Jaws strong and powerful, the teeth in a scissors bite or clamp-like bite. Overshot or undershot bite and bite and be disqualified.
Ears: in fact a triangle. Position flush with or slightly below eye to droop, courage upward lift force. Delicate ear, covered with short, thick hair, mixed with long, thinning hair, forming a thick edge. The length of the ear, along the head extended forward, you can reach the site of the nose, not after the 1-inch shorter than the nose. Close to the front edge of the cheek, not folded, but turned slightly outward, tip, slightly rounded.

Neck, Topline, Body

Neck: strong, thick and muscular. Nape of the neck clean clear lines of harmony into the shoulders. Modest relaxation of the throat skin to form a double layer of fat.
Chest: wide, deep, muscular and quite round; depth of the elbow. Ribs well, the distance from the ground to elbow is about shoulder height of 1 / 2.
Back: back line consists of two parts. The first part of the slightly sloping, almost straight lines, from the withers to the thoracic section XI so far; to withers after about 6 inches. The second part of the gradual increase, extend to the solid and arch over the loin. Abdominal solid curve very slightly raised ground.
Hip: muscular, long. Hip tilt, and the spine was about 30 degree angle to form a compact circular shape, full hips.
Tail: extension of the hip curve, the roots thick, horizontal position, or down, side to side when walking is the best. No fringe on the tail, docked 5.5 to 8 inches. Accustomed to high-tail over the back or straight up in their work is faulty.

Forequarters

Scapula: a strong and long, withers unduly prominent; shoulder blade and upper arm into about 105 degrees. Muscular and very clear, not very close to the upper shoulder blade. Ideal distance between the upper shoulder blade is 2 inches or more. The angle of the scapula and the angle of the hindquarters are balanced.
Forelimb: from the front, the legs are straight, strong bones, muscles and clear; elbow in the withers and close to the body. Pasterns long, lean, flexible, connecting vertical forearm. From the outline view, slightly tilted.
Feet: Large and compact, round, toes arched and close, covered with short, thick hair, including between the toes, too. Tilting pads hard, nails strong, bending to the ground, fully pigmented nail, but it is not black. Dewclaws may be removed.

Hindquarters

Thighs strong and muscular, the angle of the right knee displayed, second thigh well developed, muscular and width of the well. Hock to the feet hip distance in the 1 / 3 of the ideal, strong, lean and perpendicular to the ground.
Defect: Cowhocks.
The feet: The front legs are basically the same characteristics of the feet, but closer to the oval. Dewclaws may be removed.
Skin: The skin must be very thick, close to the body. In the head, throat, groin, legs and elbow following a little loose folds of skin, soft touch feeling. Pigmentation and coat color commensurate with the above.
Disqualification: Any black.

Coat

Spinone Italiano must have the correct coat and correct style. The body coat length of about 1.5 to 2.5 inches, allowing the error is 0.5 inches. Head, ears, muzzle, front legs and feet covered with short hair, leg hair on the back of the formation of rough brush-like, but without any fringe. The hard eyes and the hair around the lips, constitute eyebrows, mustache and beard Qiu, heather and bushes in the protection of the face. Coat thick, hard, flat or slightly corrugated, and never curled. No undercoat. Spinone Italiano must reflect a natural appearance, his appearance not be changed. He should reflect the work of a dog in the field of natural appearance. Hair long, soft, silk, undercoat, or other deviations from the standards described in the place, including the over-modified coat, for example: cutting hair, excluding hair, and decoration is a serious fault, and they are strictly excluded outside the game.

Color

The accepted colors are: Solid white, white and orange; orange roan with or without orange markings; white with brown markings, brown roan with or without brown markings. The most desired color of brown is chestnut brown, “monks habit”, however, varying colors of brown are acceptable.
Disqualification: Any black in the coat, tan, tri-color, in any combination, or any color other than accepted colors.
 
Gait

The Spinone is first and foremost a functional working gun dog. Its purpose as a versatile hunting dog must be given the utmost consideration. Easy and loose trot geared for endurance. Maximum ground is covered with least amount of effort, which his purpose as a versatile working gun dog demands. Profile of the topline kept throughout the trotting gait, light body roll in mature bitches is characteristic of the breed. While hunting, an extended fast trot with intermittent paces of a gallop allows the Spinone to cover ground quickly and thoroughly. Any characteristics that interfere with the accomplishment of the function of the Spinone shall be considered as a serious fault.

Care

Spinoni Italiani are content to live indoors or in a fenced yard, provided they get regular exercise. They are comfortable in all kinds of weather, including sun and snow. They love water and are good swimmers. Secure fencing is important, as they capable of jumping over fences shorter than 5 feet and some will dig tunnels if the ground is soft enough. The Spinone Italiano is an endurance runner rather than a sprinter, which makes for a good jogging partner. Proper socialization in the first 4 to 10 months of life is extremely important to prevent fearfulness. Good company and companionship are essential for this social breed.

This breed requires just a small amount of stripping – pulling dead hair as opposed to cutting, to neaten the coat. Other than that, just a weekly brushing will suffice. Bathe as necessary.

The health concerns for the breed include;

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.

Gastric torsion (bloat) is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

Pyometra is a life threatening infection of the uterus and may even require emergency surgery.

Cerebellar ataxia a disorder of the brain that results in staggering.

Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that develops between the ages of 2 to 5 years.