Luca the Italian Spinone

The Italian Spinone (also known as the Italian Griffon) is a long-established breed of gundog, a favourite of Italian horsemen because of their ability to work well in marshy and wooded country. The dog has a good nature, with a soft mouth and will point and retrieve.

Spinones are intelligent, faithfull and loving and grow to be a large, distinctive and rugged animal with a great stamina and strength. Spinone's are good swimmers and it's coat will protect the dog in water and cold temperatures.

These dogs enjoy being treated as one of the family and are intelligent, happy and enthusiastic in everything  they do! They have a pleasant, easy-going nature, but focused when at work. They get along with other dogs,  seem to love children (though children have to learn to give the dog respect) and is very happy in the company of people - especially sitting on their laps!

Whilst having a great deal of patience it should not be taken for granted. Spinones are always looking for attention, so time and energy is needed to devote to the dog. They require human interaction to maintain their health and vigour. Spinones are often very entertaining and have a clownish side. The breed does not try to be top-dog and does not whine, unless it has become bored through lack of attention. It is a quiet breed in general, but left too long on its own may resort to chewing up whatever is available!

The Spinone can be timid if not properly socialised. It is a sensitive breed and  motivational training is the best way orward with them. They learn fast, but can be stubborn about performing. It has an independent mind, feeling there should be a good reason for doing the task asked of them. In the show ring the dog is not extrovert, but performs in a slow, steady manner (which judges can often misinterpret - and mark down - as they might expect it to act like a pointer, or Border Collie).

Physical Characteristics:

Height/Weight Relationship: Dogs should measure between 60-70cms at the withers and weigh between 34-39kgs. Bitches should ideally measure between 59-65cms at the withers and weigh between 29-34 kgs.

Exercise: Needs plenty of vigorous excercise in order to remain in good condition physically and temperamentally.

Grooming: The Spinone's hard, thick, somewhat curly coat needs brushing two or three times a week, especially after the dog has been in water.

Feeding: Recommended would be 587-936g of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added, or 3-5 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to1/2 cup of hot or cold water.

Health: Like all purebred dogs the spinonehas its share of health problems, but careful breeding is helping to ease its problems.

• Life expectancy
  • Spinones usually life 12-14 years and generally keep their health during senior years
• Known medical issues
  • Cerebellar ataxia: Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a deadly hereditary condition that is known to affect Spinone puppies. It is a recessive gene; therefore, both sire and dam must have been carriers for any pup in a litter to have this condition. No puppy with CA has lived past the age of 12 months to date. Most puppies that have been diagnosed with the condition are euthanised at 10/11 months
  • Hip dysplasia: Like most large breeds, the Spinone can suffer hip dysplasia. This is when the hip bones become abnormal and make it difficult and painful to do any exercise. Dogs diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia can have their ball and socket joint replaced surgically with an artificial joint.
    • Spinone owners have this condition checked using hip scoring radiographs (xrays) carried out by a specialist vetenary practitioner. The hip score is the sum of the points awarded for each of the nine radiographic features of both hip joints. Although analysis can vary, the lower the score the less incidence of hip dysplasia present. The minimum score (best) for each hip is zero and the maximum (worst) is 53, giving a range for total score of 0 - 106. Spinones are, generally, within the range 0 -89 (mean average), which means owners should look to their dog to be well within this range.

SHOW STANDARD

General appearance: The Spinone has a body that is square in outline. It is a solid, vigorous country dog with strong bone and well­developed muscle; the breed is characterized by its excellent fast trotting gait. The breed's facial expression is intelligent and shows power and courage. Its eyes are expressive with a markedly sweet, almost human expression. It is exceptionally hardy and enters nonchalantly into brambles and deep, cold water; for such work it is protected by its thick skin and hard, thick coat.

Colour: Permissible colours include: white; white with orange markings; solid white peppered with orange; white with brown markings; white speckled with brown hairs (brown roan) with or without larger brown markings.

Head and skull: The head is large with fairly broad, domed skull; the stop is not accentuated, but the muzzle is well developed and square.

Tail: Thick at the base and set on as a continuation of the croup line; carried horizontally or down; should be docked at 6-10in (15-25cm) from the root.

Feet: Compact and round with well-closed toes that are well arched and covered with short, thick hair, even including the spaces between the toes.