Discover Everything About Spinone Italiano
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Spinone Italiano overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Spinone Italiano receives a B grade because, as a large breed, it is prone to typical orthopedic issues. Hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) are well-monitored through mandatory health tests within the breeding program. Prospective owners should also inquire about osteochondrodysplasia (OCD) when purchasing a puppy to help minimize the risk of future joint problems.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
58–70 cm
Weight
28–37 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Wiry, dense, undercoat present
- Origin: Italy
Typical coat colors
- White
- white with orange or brown spots
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Spinone Italiano, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Spinone Italiano right for you?
The Spinone Italiano is a gentle, wire-haired Vorstehhund (pointing dog)—bred for persistent, methodical searching in rough terrain and water, which makes him a cooperative working dog with a leisurely trot.
Perfect for you if:
- You appreciate a dog that cooperates but doesn't obey blindly, preferring to think for himself while working.
- You plan dedicated time for scent work, dummy training, or tracking—a simple walk won't satisfy this specialist.
- You prefer spending your free time outdoors in nature, regardless of the weather, and have access to vast fields or bodies of water.
- You are looking for a calm companion who is relaxed at home as long as he has a real job to do outside.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a dog that can be recalled instantly upon seeing game—he was bred to pick up scents and point, not to ignore them.
- You are looking for a fast-paced partner for agility or quick sprints alongside a bicycle—the Spinone works at a steady, but leisurely, trot.
- You live in an extremely tidy home and have a low tolerance for a wet beard that floods half the kitchen after a drink.
- You have to leave your dog alone for long periods daily, which completely contradicts his extremely people-oriented nature.
The real vibes check
A Spinone Italiano is not a zippy sports car, but an all-terrain Land Rover. He works with you, but at his own deliberate pace and with a nose that scans every detail of his surroundings. Once you understand this charmingly stubborn dog, you gain a loyal colleague who is always up for a muddy puddle.
Breed Profile
With its strikingly wiry coat and warm, intelligent eyes, the Spinone Italiano is a dog breed you won't soon forget. This medium-sized dog belongs to FCI Group 7, the pointers. He has an impressive mix of strength and endurance that makes him an excellent working dog. Its head is large and expressive, the ears are medium long and hang down to the sides. The tail is usually docked and carried straight or slightly upwards.
| Height | 58 - 65 cm (Female), 60 - 70 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 28 - 32 kg (Female), 32 - 37 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Character | Loyal, patient, friendly |
| Coat | Wiry, dense, undercoat present |
| Coat Color | White, white with orange or brown spots |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
As the name suggests, the Spinone Italiano comes from Italy, where it has been valued as a loyal hunting companion for centuries. The exact origin of the breed is unknown, but it is believed to have emerged from a mix of Italian Segugi dogs, French Griffons, and possibly some Spanish breeds as well. The Spinone Italiano is known for its versatility: it can retrieve, point, and is an excellent swimmer. It was traditionally used for hunting game birds and retrieving water game. Over the centuries it has also been used as a search and rescue dog. The breed was first recognized as a separate breed in the 19th century. During World War II, the breed's numbers plummeted, but fortunately dedicated breeders managed to revive it.
The Spinone Italiano was bred to be a versatile hunting dog for field work, pointing and retrieving game.
Italy
Antike
Character & Temperament
The Spinone Italiano's personality is as remarkable as his appearance. They are known for their friendly, gentle nature and deep loyalty to their family. These dogs are very people-oriented and love being close to their owners. They generally get along well with children and also live well with other dogs and pets. The Spinone Italiano has a rather calm temperament and does not typically display the hyperactive energy found in some other hunting dogs. However, they need regular physical and mental activity to be happy and balanced . They love long walks, games and training sessions and are always ready to learn new tasks. Although they were originally bred for hunting, spinoni do not tend to exhibit strong prey-catching behavior. However, they have a keen sense of smell and can sometimes be inclined to follow an interesting trail. Therefore, it is important to teach them from an early age that they should stay with their people. The Spinone Italiano breed tends to stay well alone if properly trained. Of course, that doesn't mean they should be left alone all day, but they tend to tolerate it better than some other breeds. Despite their calmness, they are attentive and alert, which makes them good watchdogs.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Spinone Italiano can trace its roots back to ancient times and is considered one of the oldest hunting dog breeds?
What Awaits You
The Spinone Italiano is a versatile hunting dog with the right motivation. He is considered friendly and patient, which is why he is often used as a mantrailer or assistance dog.
Housing & Care
The Spinone Italiano is an active dog that requires daily exercise and mental stimulation. Despite his activity, he can adapt well to life in the city, provided he gets enough exercise and activity. This can include regular walks, games and training times. The breed is known for its friendliness towards children and can be a wonderful addition to a family. However, it is always important to teach children how to interact with dogs and to supervise all interactions between dogs and young children. The Spinone is also friendly with other dogs and can get along well with cats and other pets, especially if socialized with them from an early age.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Raising a Spinone Italiano can be a joy as this breed is known for being intelligent and eager to learn. They respond well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training. Like all dogs, Spinoni should be socialized from an early age and accustomed to different people, places and situations. Because the Spinone Italiano is originally a hunting dog, he can benefit from activities that utilize his natural instincts. These include, for example: B. Nose work, fetch and search games. It's important not to over-occupy the Spinone, but enough mental and physical stimulation is crucial to avoid behavioral problems. The Spinone isn't your typical ball junkie, but he enjoys interactive games and can learn to play fetch as part of his exercise routine. Training for frustration tolerance and impulse control is particularly important for this breed, as they sometimes want to go their own way and can be a bit stubborn.
Nutrition & Care
Your Spinone Italiano's diet should be balanced and adapted to his age, weight and activity level. A high-quality dog food that contains all the necessary nutrients is ideal. It is important to pay attention to your Spinone's weight as being overweight can lead to health problems. In terms of care, the Spinone Italiano is relatively easy to care for. Its dense, wiry coat has an undercoat and should be brushed regularly to prevent tangles and remove dead hair. Despite its thick undercoat, the Spinone is not an excessive shedder, but like all dogs, it does shed a little more hair during shedding periods. The Spinone Italiano is well adapted to the climate in Germany. Its thick fur protects it from cold and moisture, but on very hot days it should be protected from direct sunlight.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid
Health grade
The Spinone Italiano receives a B grade because, as a large breed, it is prone to typical orthopedic issues. Hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) are well-monitored through mandatory health tests within the breeding program. Prospective owners should also inquire about osteochondrodysplasia (OCD) when purchasing a puppy to help minimize the risk of future joint problems.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should pay close attention to joint-friendly exercise and a healthy weight, especially during the growth phase, and check his eyes regularly.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, and eyes of the parent animals tested and use genetic screening to strictly ensure that serious neurological conditions are excluded from the line.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Community Posts
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Frequently asked questions about the Spinone Italiano
Is a Spinone Italiano the right dog for me?
The Spinone Italiano is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Spinone Italiano live?
The average life expectancy of a Spinone Italiano is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Spinone Italiano need?
Spinone Italiano grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Spinone Italiano good for families with children?
The Spinone Italiano can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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