Breed profile

Spinone Italiano

Italian hunter with a wiry coat. Calm, hard-working character. Good sense of smell. Excellent with children. Calmer than other hunting breeds. Slow to mature — do not overwork in youth.

Origin: Italia Size: Grande Lifespan: 10-12 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Hunters
✓Sportspeople (canicross, running)
✓Very active families

Reconsider if

×Sedentary families
×Flats without long exercise

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Is the Spinone Italiano a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Ease of handling

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

95-145 €/month

Feeding 40-55 €, pro-rated vet costs (vaccinations, deworming, check-up) 18-28 €, insurance and contingencies 12-22 €, beard and ear hygiene/supplies 8-15 €, accessories 5-12 €. Recurrent ear infections increase the cost.

History and origin

Recognised by the FCI. Native to Italy. An Italian hunter with a wiry coat.

Temperament and character

Active, intelligent, loyal. Attached to its family. Needs a daily mental AND physical 'task'. Strong bond with its reference person.

Living together

Children: good with its own family. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Life stages of the Spinone Italiano

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 10-12 años.

Puppy

0-15 months

Controlled growth and low-impact exercise (large breed); socialisation of the calm pointing dog.

Young

1.5-3 years

Moderate, regular exercise and fieldwork; split meals to prevent torsion; cleaning of the long ears.

Adult

3-7 years

Weight control, joint health (hips/elbows) and ophthalmological check-up.

Senior

7+ years

Joint support, neurological monitoring (cerebellar ataxia) and general check-ups.

Care

Exercise: 90-120 min/day + scent stimulation.

Brushing: weekly (more with the wiry coat).

Feeding: active-formula food.

Vet: annual check-up + ear control (long ears).

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food for a large, active breed in 2 meals, adjusting the ration to its actual activity (more during hunting or sport season). Slow growth in the puppy with controlled calcium/phosphorus; avoid being overweight, which punishes its joints.

✂️ Grooming

A hard, wiry coat that is low maintenance: weekly brushing and occasional stripping of dead hairs; it is not clipped. Clean its beard and moustache after eating and drinking (it gets everything wet) and check the ears every week to prevent otitis.

🎓 Training

Calm, intelligent and very attached to its family, one of the easiest and most docile of the pointing breeds. It learns with positive reinforcement and gentleness; it is sensitive and does not tolerate harshness. It needs socialisation and a daily physical and mental 'task'.

🏃 Exercise

90-120 minutes of daily activity with scent work and safe off-lead time. It is a hardy hunter that needs to expend body and mind; it enjoys canicross, tracking and searching. Without enough exercise it becomes frustrated and puts on weight.

Breed-specific health

Recurrent otitis. Dysplasia. Bloat. Life expectancy 10-12 years.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🦴Displasia de cadera 🦴Displasia de codo 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)👂Otitis (infección de oído)🌀Ataxia (descoordinación)

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Spinone Italiano

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Official radiograph for hip and elbow dysplasia
✓Genetic test for cerebellar ataxia (CA, specific to the breed)
✓Ophthalmological examination (ectropion/entropion, retinal atrophy)
✓Cardiac echocardiography and thyroid profile

Prevention

Slow growth, without pushing the puppy: it matures slowly and excessive impact damages the joints. Weekly cleaning of the long, hairy ears (prone to otitis). Prevention of gastric torsion: 2 meals and rest after eating. Weight control.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with blood work from 5 years of age; auditory and ophthalmological control. Genetic test for cerebellar ataxia before breeding.

Warning signs

!Lack of coordination or progressive wobbling in the puppy (cerebellar ataxia)
!Head shaking and foul-smelling ears (otitis)
!Lameness or difficulty getting up (dysplasia)
!Bloated abdomen and retching without vomiting (gastric torsion emergency)

Frequently asked questions about the Spinone Italiano

How long does a Spinone Italiano live?

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The life expectancy of the Spinone Italiano is 10-12 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Spinone Italiano weigh?

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An adult Spinone Italiano weighs between 28-37 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.

Where does the Spinone Italiano breed come from?

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The Spinone Italiano originates from Italia. Recognised by the FCI. Native to Italy. An Italian hunter with a wiry coat.

How much exercise does a Spinone Italiano need?

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The Spinone Italiano has media energy. **Exercise:** 90-120 min/day + scent stimulation.

Is the Spinone Italiano good with children?

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**Children:** good with its own family. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Who is the Spinone Italiano NOT recommended for?

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It isn't the right breed for: Sedentary families. Flats without long exercise. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Spinone Italiano have?

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Recurrent otitis. Dysplasia. Bloat. Life expectancy 10-12 years.

Is it a good family dog?

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Yes, excellent: calm, patient and affectionate with children, one of the most sociable and balanced pointing breeds. It only needs an active family to give it exercise and company, because it does not cope well with loneliness.

Does it need a lot of exercise?

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Quite a lot. It is a hardy hunter that needs 90-120 minutes a day with scent work and running. At home it is calm, but if it does not burn off energy daily it gets bored, puts on weight and becomes restless.

Is its coat difficult to maintain?

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No, its hard coat is low maintenance: weekly brushing and occasional tidying of dead hairs. The most tedious part is cleaning its wet beard and checking the long ears to avoid otitis.

Is it suitable for a first-time owner?

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It can be a good option for an active first-time owner, because it is docile, sensitive and easy to train gently. What it will not forgive is a sedentary lifestyle or being left alone for many hours.

Why does it wet and mess everything when it drinks?

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Because of its characteristic beard and moustache, which retain water and food and then release it as it moves. It is part of the breed's charm; just keep a cloth handy and wipe its face after eating and drinking.