Spinone Italiano: a dog suitable for hunting and family life

The Spinone Italiano is a hunting dog capable of tracking down all kinds of prey on different terrains, but thanks to its playful temperament it is also the ideal playmate for the whole family.

Among the hunting dogs which have had a wide diffusion in the past centuries, we must not forget it Spinone Italian. Originally from the peninsula had wide dissemination also abroad like Great Britain and the United States. Let's see the origins and main characteristics of the breed.

According to historical sources, the breed has spread towards end of '600, and was known by the name of Griffon, because of coarse coat. Its origins, however, date back toRoman age, when famous authors like Seneca and Xenophon, in their writings they spoke of hard-coated dogs, most likely i ancestors of the Spinone.

Other testimonies of the Spinone can be found inside paintings of the XV of important artists such as the Mantegna. Within the literature have ample evidence from Jacques Espée de Selincourt hunting expert. The scholar of the breed claimed that among the dogs belonging to the Griffons, the Spinone originally from the area of Piemonte it was the best.

Featuring fphysical and resistance luff, perfect qualities for hunting, it has been used for centuries by hunters such as pointing dog. If initially we tried to keep the breed pure, with the passage of time some breeders in the north decided to start the selection just to use it only in this area.

In the long run, this pursuit of perfection is his sectoriality, led to a Spinone decay in conjunction with the spread of English hunting dogs inside the nobility. I'm starting from 40s and 50s had its official revival.

The Italian Spinone can measure up to 70 cm and up to 45 kg. The coat has two color varieties, the white orange and the brown roan. The first type is the most popular because in this case no other breeds have been included in the bloodline.

As previously stated the by the it's particular. Straight, hard and tight it can reach up to 4-6 cm and is particularly thick on the whole trunk.

The Italian breed is particularly suitable for hunting because manages to dominate the environment in which it moves. He is able to gallop covering the area diagonally, with movements suitable for the ground on which he is standing, without decreasing his ability to find the traces through the sense of smell.

This trait comes from the skill with which he manages to test the ground, adapting to any context and finding the right solution to find every single prey that is on the ground.

Concentration and hunting skills are associated with a elegant bearing, almost regal. The spinone tends to keep your head up to constantly check the environment around him.

Worn for hunting, the spinone succeeds in follow the tracks of different animals, From woodcock which carries it in dense environments and cold, up to aquatic animals which manages to recover from ponds with ease, without forgetting hunting for pheasants thanks to the quaali he confronts uncultivated land.

The Spinone was born as a hunting dog at the same time easily adapts to family life because loyal to his master establishes a close relationship with the people in the house. This makes the dog the ideal companion for children, becoming affectionate and playful. Due to his size, however, he needs to move and large rooms. The dog needs to be taken for a walk, to run and to let off steam. This is why it is better to choose this type of house if you have a garden or an open space available.