

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.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Spinone Italiano e.V.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Spinone Italiano fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Shoulder height
58–70 cm
Weight
28–37 kg
Practical
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 →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Spinone Italiano — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
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.
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.
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.
| 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?
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.
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.
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
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, 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.
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 Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid
Health grade
In the Spinone Italiano, orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), as well as cerebellar degeneration (Setter), play a central role. The Spinone Italiano e.V. strictly mandates radiographic screenings for HD (limit HD A–C, C only under conditions), ED (limit ED 0–1), and OCD (clear) for breeding. A responsible breeder also tests parent animals for cerebellar degeneration (Setter) and chondrodysplasia, SLC13A1-associated, ensuring that carriers are mated only with clear partners, and has the eyes checked for ectropion / entropion. Ask to be shown these official radiographic and genetic test results of both parent animals in person before buying.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
You should pay close attention to joint-friendly exercise and a healthy weight, especially during the growth phase, and check his eyes regularly.
Responsible breeders take X-rays for HD, ED, and OCD, and additionally test for Cerebellar Degeneration (Setter), Chondrodysplasia (SLC13A1), and ectropion / entropion to prevent severe hereditary diseases.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 is the core standard: the tests Spinone Italiano e.V. requires, plus further tests from the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Core standard. Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Spinone Italiano e.V. for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard for this breed. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Spinone Italiano costs around ~€200 per month (€100 – €380, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,190 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13 years) it comes to about ~€33,560.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€200 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€200
In the first year
~€5,190
Across the dog's life
~€33,560
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.

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Illustrative imageAs 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
At home with the family, many owners agree in describing the Spinone Italiano as an affectionate, remarkably gentle "giant." It bonds closely with its people, enjoys physical contact and is usually calm and unexcitable indoors. With children and other dogs it is generally very patient and shows little tendency to scuffle or act aggressively, which is why visitors also find it easy to be around.
Owner reports do stress, however, that this is no dog for the squeamish when it comes to cleanliness. Thanks to its full beard and lips, the breed tends to drip and drool heavily after drinking or eating. Dirt also likes to cling to the wiry coat and facial beard after walks and gets carried into the house. Its strong need for closeness also means it doesn't like being shut away and wants to be fully part of daily life.
Sources:paw-champ.comrundum.dogmit-tier.desabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.netissnruede.de
Training reports paint a picture of a dog that is focused on its handler but by no means submissive. Spinoni learn quickly and grasp tasks fast, but they have a sensitive temperament. Owners and trainers all warn against any harshness or unfair pressure: a Spinone Italiano responds with complete withdrawal or stubborn refusal and rarely forgets bad treatment.
At the same time, owners often describe a certain stubborn streak when clear leadership is missing or the dog doesn't see the point of a cue. The biggest day-to-day challenge is staying consistent through adolescence. Until the breed is fully mature mentally and physically at around two to three years, young dogs can be surprisingly active and will test their limits. A calm, confident and understanding hand is essential for reliable obedience.
Sources:issnruede.dehundehilfe-toskana.dewildundhund.deedogs.de
On exercise and activity, owners stress that for all its laid-back behavior indoors, the Spinone Italiano remains a true hunting dog outside, with a lot of stamina. Its fine nose in particular makes it want to follow scent trails out in the open. Its search style is considered fairly thorough, slow and close to the handler, but off-leash time still calls for early, consistent anti-hunting and recall training.
In the long run, walks on a short leash aren't enough for many of these dogs. Owners report very good experiences with alternatives such as mantrailing, tracking, dummy training or retrieving games. Almost everyone also mentions the breed's love of water: nearly every Spinone eagerly heads into lakes and streams to swim and search, which in turn leaves owners with a dense, damp coat to deal with in cold, wet weather.
Sources:rundum.dogmit-tier.deissnruede.dehundehilfe-toskana.dewildundhund.de
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
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.
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.
Spinone Italiano grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Spinone Italiano can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Spinone Italiano comes in these colors: White, Orange, Brown, Roan, Brown and white.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Spinone Italiano.