Alice White
The Italian Spinone is a peace-loving, robust man with a kind look from large eyes from under shaggy eyebrows. Designed for hunting in forests and swamps, this hardy hunter is an unpretentious in-home care and rarely suffers from health problems. The tough, wiry coat reliably protects it in the water, and the formidable appearance contrasts with the docile nature of the family pet. Spinone is not aggressive towards strangers and other dogs, however, the qualities of the breed were recognized only in their homeland, outside of which it is almost unknown.
History of the breed
One of the two versions of the origin of this breed connects it with the medieval Segugio Italiano – long-standing local hounds. According to another, the Griffon Cortalsa, barbet dogs, and some other hounds of the breed took part in the breeding of the Italian wire-haired cops. A distinctive feature of the Italian Spinone is slowness in work, which contributed to their replacement by faster cops. Therefore, the breed was losing popularity, and today they are better known as companion dogs rather than hunters.
Appearance
A sturdy dog with a square body, drooping ears, and a tough, light coat of medium length. The Italian Spinone has a massive heavy head with a visible transition from forehead to muzzle and an expressive mustache and beard. There is a dewlap on the neck, the straight back passes into a long croup, ending in a thick tail at the base. The thick coat can be slightly wavy, the traditional color is a white background with red (brown, gray, or gray-brown) spots.
Temperament
This patient and the hardy dog may be slow to work, but it is not without courage. Obedience is characteristic of the breed, combined with the waywardness characteristic of hunting dogs. At home, the Italian Spinone behaves peacefully and friendly, firmly attached to all members of the family in which he lives. He gets along well with children and always likes to fool around. Such a large and formidable family pet will not offend strangers and other animals.
Health and disease
A dog with hanging ears who loves water is prone to developing inflammatory processes in the ear canal. This is facilitated by dirt, which accumulates on the wide surface of the ears, and insufficient air ventilation. You can prevent illness by regularly examining and gently cleaning your pet’s ears. A characteristic feature of the body of hardy Italian Spinone is a tendency to joint diseases.
Maintenance and care
This hunting breed is not intended to be kept in urban conditions. Keep in mind that the Italian Spinone needs off-leash walks, so the yard of a private house is a good choice for such a pet. It should be provided with opportunities for high physical activity. The dog will be grateful for access to water because it is used to hunting in swampy areas. Shaggy wool must be combed and cleaned with a special brush, and ears must be cleaned of dirt in a timely manner.
Training
The independent character of the Pointing Dog is combined in the Italian Spinone with the sensitivity of character. Therefore, the training of representatives of this breed must be firm and consistent, based on a motivational approach. You should be prepared for possible manifestations of pet stubbornness, but it has a high learning ability. For Italian Spinone, a course of general obedience and early socialization is recommended. When choosing an activity and occupation for your dog, remember that it is oriented towards the human community.
Food
Representatives of this breed are unpretentious in nutrition and are ready to eat even leftovers from the master’s table. You should not use your pet with such innocence and immediately solve the dilemma of dry or natural feeding. If you are ready for an increase in the kitchen load – stock up on meat and fish. Keep in mind that raw meat is healthier than boiled meat, but fish requires heat treatment – you will also have to carefully remove bones from it. Protein dishes on the menu should be supplemented with cereals and vegetables.
