Height: 20-26 inches
Weight: 56-80 lbs.
Life Span: 12-14 yrs.
Breed Group: Sporting Dogs
Overview
Spinone Italianos are affectionate, intelligent, and patient family companions
that adore children and get along with other animals. They may be cautious
but not unfriendly toward strangers and will bark when someone comes to
the door.
They are naturally obedient and do well in training classes. They can adapt
to urban and rural environments. The Spinone Italiano is an enthusiastic,
hardy, and fearless hunting dog and a friendly, easygoing family dog.
Appearance
The coat is short, rough, hard, and wiry. Coat color is all white, or white
with yellow or light brown patches.
Distinguishing features include bushy eyebrows, a profuse mustache and beard,
and typical hound ears--large, dropped, and hanging close to the cheeks.
Grooming & Exercise Needs
Spinone Italianos should be brushed a few times a week. They need to run
daily in safe, secured areas or be taken for long, brisk walks. They may
also enjoy retrieving balls.
Origins
The Spinone Italiano, descended from griffon stock from the Piedmont region
of Italy, has been around since the Middle Ages and is considered one of
the best pointing griffons and a superb retriever, in part because of its
"soft" mouth (which means that the dog doesn't damage the game when retrieving
it).
Breed-related health concerns: hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism.
Reference: AKC - American Kennel Club |
