The Spinone Italiano (plural Spinoni Italiani) is an Italian dog breed. Its original purpose was as a versatile gun dog, which the breed is still a master of today. It is often used for hunting, pointing, and retrieving game (HPR), but the intelligent and strong Spinone can be used for practically anything ranging from companion pet to seeing eye dog for the blind.
History: A versatile gundog that is the Italian equivalent of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. The ancestry of the Spinone goes back many centuries and it is thought to be a cross between the Barbet and the Griffon, with a bit of Bracco hound blood thrown in. The Spinone, with its rough coat is useful in bramble, ground or marshes.The breed has been given full recognition by the English Kennel Club and the limited acceptance of the Miscellaneous class in the American Kennel Club.
Appearance: The Spinone Italiano is a large, rugged dog of distinctive appearance. Its strong muscles allow it to run, hunt, and retrieve over land or in the water. They are a muscular dog with a deep chest, and long neck. They carry their tail down and swing it from side to side when working. These dogs have very powerful legs, which are straight and muscular. Their feet are oval with hard toe pads. It has human-like eyes and drooped ears. The Spinone Italiano has a thick, wire-haired coat that is slightly wavy and water resistant. The hair is longer on the eyebrows, lips, and chin where it forms a moustache and beard. Permitted colors are solid white, white with orange markings, white with brown markings, white speckled with orange or brown roan with brown markings.
Size: Height:   22Ѕ-27Ѕ inches
Weight:  61-85 pounds
Temperament: Extremely intelligent, happy, upbeat and enthusiastic, the Spinone Italiano is a pleasant, easy-going breed. He is easily satisfied when treated as a member of the family. They have a very calm and hardworking personality, which makes them easy to train. His great patience should never be taken for granted, for abuse is abuse, whether intentional or not. This breed gets along well with other animals, particularly enjoying the company of another dog.  The spinone can be stubborn and prefers to do things in its own laid back way. The Spinone can be timid if not properly socialized.
Health: Little data has been accumulated for the Spinone breed in general. Hip dysplasia does exist, as in other comparably sized dogs. Sometimes bloating does occur, though not a huge problem. Some are prone to an inherited disease, which manifests itself as a Cerebellar Ataxia, or abnormal gait originating from a problem in a part of the brain. For more information, go to the Spinone Club of America.
Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years
Grooming: This breed requires weekly brushing as well as occasional professional stripping of the coat. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary to preserve the integrity of the coat.
Puppy price: from $1000 and up