Italian Spinone

General Information - Italian Spinone

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History

Although not common outside of its country of origin, the Spinone is a breed that has been rescued from the straits of oblivion and is fast growing in numbers around the world. In the UK in 1998, 126 Spinone qualified for Crufts and in the US they have an extremely strong following. It should be noted that in the US the Spinone is still classed as a Rare Breed but this is to ensure the planned growth of the breed. The Spinone can lay claim to being one of the oldest gundog breeds in existence, identified as a distinct type almost 2000 years ago and with reliable records of the breed from the Renaissance onwards. Along with its shorthaired cousin the Bracco Italiano, these dogs are the two most common gundogs in Italy.

Developed as an all round hunting dog, along the basic premise of all of the Continental hunters, the Spinone is capable of performing any task required of it; hunting, pointing, retrieving on land as well as water, trailing, bailing and subduing large, wounded and dangerous quarry. It has been selectively bred for use in the north of Italy, the mountains, marshes and heavily forested areas, which means the dog is well suited for New Zealand conditions. The famous Spinone temperament has also endeared them to a growing number of pet owners with the close bond it forms with its 'pack' making for a wonderful relationship. It is said that no human can be as close to his or her dog as a Spinone is to its human.

Temperament

Italian Spinone are intelligent and easy going. Highly patient, this breed loves all children and likes the company of other dogs as well. Spinone are somewhat stubborn and like to do things in a slow and steady kind of way.

Upkeep

Like all hunting dogs, the Spinone needs daily exercise. This can take the form of a long walk or good run off leash. It can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates, but it is a family dog and prefers to share time with its people. Coat care consists of weekly brushing, plus occasional hand-stripping to neaten the face and feet.

Italian Spinone

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Italian Spinone

General Appearance: Vigorous, robust, squarely built dog of solid construction. Strong bone, well developed muscles. Rough coated. Has a kind, almost human expression.

Characteristics: An intrepid and untiring hunt, point and retrieve breed. Hardy and adaptable to any terrain including water. Remarkable capability for an extended and fast trot.

Temperament: Sociable, docile, affectionate and patient.

Head and Skull: The head planes when seen in profile are divergent. The skull is equal in length from occiput to gently sloping stop, and from stop to end of nose, which protrudes over the lips. Width of skull not to exceed half the total length of head, preferably less. A lean skull of oval shape, sides gently sloping downwards, rooflike. Well pronounced occiput. Well defined median furrow. Muzzle of good depth, in profile straight or slightly arched, square when viewed from the front. The upper lips, slightly rounded, covering the lower lips and reaching the corner of the mouth in a visible fold. Nose large, spongy in appearance with large nostrils.

Eyes: Kind, almost human expression. Large, open, almost round and set well apart. Neither protruding nor deep set and on the same frontal plane. Eyelids close fitting. Iris ochre, depth of colour compatible with coat colour.

Ears: Pendulous, triangular, slightly rounded at the tip, pliable and fine. Covered with dense hair mixed with longer, scattered hairs which become thicker at the edges. Carried low with little erectile power. Forward edge touching cheek. Set on level with corner of eye, long, but not more than 5cms below throat line.

Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws, is preferred. Level bite tolerated.

Neck: Powerful and well muscled. Comparatively short in relation to length of head, showing a marked crest from the nape. Merging smoothly into the shoulders with unexaggerated dewlap.

Forequarters: Shoulders strong, muscular and well laid back. Top of shoulder blades set well apart. Upper arm well angulated, muscular and of equal length to shoulder blade. Forelegs, when viewed from front and side should be straight, with strong, oval bone and well defined tendons. Elbows turning neither in nor out. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Dewclaws should be present.

Body: Length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks equal to height at withers. Withers not too raised. Topline, which must not be exaggerated, slopes gently downwards from the withers and then rises to a slightly arched, broad, strong and well muscled loin. Croup then slopes slightly to set on of tail. Chest broad and deep, reaching at least to the level of the elbows, with prominent breastbone. Ribs are open, well sprung and carried well back. Minimal tuck up.

Hindquarters: The croup is broad, muscular and slightly sloping. Thighs long, broad, muscular and strong with good bend of stifle. Tendons clearly visible. Broad hocks well let down leading to strong rear pasterns, which when viewed from behind are vertical on extension of the buttock line. Dewclaws may be present.

Feet: Front feet large, round and compact with thick pads. Toes well arched, covered in dense hair. Hind feet showing all the same characteristics as the front feet but slightly more oval.

Tail: Previously customarily docked. Docked - To half its length. Thick, particularly at the base, set on as a continuation of the croup and carried horizontally or down. No fringes. Undocked - Thick, particularly at the base, set on as a continuation of the croup and carried horizontally or down. No fringes.

Gait/movement: Free, relaxed and capable of fast trot. In motion the characteristic topline is maintained.

Coat: Skin is close fitting, thick and leathery. Coat coarse, dense and rather flat, 4 - 6 cms in length with a lack of undercoat. Thicker, longer hair forms eyebrows, moustache and beard. On backs of legs the hair is a rough brush, but never with fringes.

Colour: Only permitted colours are white, white and orange, orange roan, white and brown and brown roan. Lips, nose, eye rims, nails and pads should be pigmented according to coat colour, ranging from flesh pink in whites, through to brown in brown roans.

Size: Height dogs 60 - 70 cms (23½ - 27½ ins); bitches 58 - 65 cms (22¾ - 25½ ins).
Weight - dogs 34 - 39 kgs (75 - 86 lbs); bitches 29 - 34 kgs (64 - 75 lbs).

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Note:  Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

DNZ No 309
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
23 Dec 2013

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.