The Spinone Italiano- Italian Hunting Dogs

The Spinone Italiano is breed that is sociable and docile. The breed has a wiry dense coat that enables the dog to deal with underbrush and thick skin to endure cold water. Their coat colors include solid white, white with orange, orange roan with or without orange markings, white with brown markings and brown roan with or without brown markings.

The Spinone Italiano is a active and fairly energetic breed. It is well known for it's great strength and unending stamina. They are excellent swimmers. The Spinone is great with children and family dynamics and is great with other dogs and other animals. The Spinone is not an protection breed. They are unlikely to attack. The Spinone is content with it's family. The Spinone is a naturally cautious dog which makes it imperative that owners socialize the dog and train the dog as early as possible.

The Spinone Italiano grows to be about 23-28 inches tall and weighs about 61-85 lbs regardless of sex. The Spinone is not very unhealthy genetically. Hip dysplasia and bloating can occur as with other dogs of comparable size. Some bloodlines are prone to inherited diseases such as Cerebellar Ataxia. Regardless, make sure your breeder offers a medical guarantee or certificate!

The Spinone can be contented with a fenced in yard but they are capable to jumping extremely high. Teaching your pup to respect the fence is important. Despite play time, a Spinone needs daily walks.

Spinones live for about 12 years or longer.

The Spinone only needs occasional brushing. However, they do require stripping. Stripping is the act of pulling dead hair instead of cutting to neaten the coat.

The Spinone Italiano is not very common in the United States but is known as Italy's all purpose hunting dog. It is believed that the Spinone is the cross between a White Mastiff, French Griffon and an Italian setter bred with dogs left by Greek traders. The dogs are bred for their great sense of smell, affinity with the hunter, ability to retrieve and recover. The AKC recognized the Spinone Italiano in 2000.

Spinone prices can vary but start at $1,000 and go up. There are a few breeders inside the United States but be prepared to put your name on a waiting list! The price of the puppy does not include any financial means to ship or procure the pup, so be prepared to spend a little more than $1,000.