Italian Spinone
| Recommended for | Owners or families wanting a gentle, patient gundog and able to provide companionship, training and regular exercise. |
| Breed Classification | Gundog/Sporting Group |
| Other names | Spinone Italiano, Spinone |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
| Size | Large |
| Temperament | Patient, gentle, sociable and determined |
| Intelligence | Generally intelligent; best results come from patient, positive and consistent training |
| Tendency to bark | Low to moderate; generally calm |
| Maintenance Level | Brush and hand-strip/trim; clean beard and ears |
| Health Risk | Italian Spinones can be prone to several inherited or structure-related health concerns, so health testing, weight management and early veterinary advice are particularly important. |
Thinking of insuring an Italian Spinone?
Explore the Top 5 health issues claimed for Italian Spinones, including highest claims paid and how much pet insurance could help you save on eligible vet bills.
See Italian Spinone pet insurance Ready to get cover? Get a quick quote
Italian Spinone personality and temperament
The Italian Spinone is gentle, patient and affectionate, with a calm but capable working-dog temperament. Originally bred as a versatile gundog, it is steady, intelligent and often slower-paced than many other sporting breeds.
Spinoni are usually sociable and devoted to their families, enjoying companionship and close interaction. They can be sensitive and sometimes stubborn, so they respond best to patient training, encouragement and regular exercise.
Italian Spinones with kids and other pets
Italian Spinones are usually gentle, patient and affectionate with children, making them good family companions. They tend to be steadier than many sporting breeds, though their large size means supervision is still needed around small children.
With other pets, Italian Spinones generally do well when introduced properly. They are often sociable with other dogs and can live with cats, although their hunting background means smaller animals should be introduced carefully.
Italian Spinone training and exercise
Italian Spinones need moderate to regular exercise, including walks, play, swimming and scent-based activities. They are active gundogs but usually less intense than some faster sporting breeds. They enjoy steady outdoor activity and close involvement with their family.
Training should be patient, kind and consistent. Italian Spinones are intelligent and affectionate, but they can be sensitive and sometimes stubborn. Positive reinforcement, gentle encouragement and varied sessions help them learn without becoming bored or discouraged.
| Energy level | Moderate |
| Exercise requirements | Moderate to High - long walks, retrieving and scent work |
Get 2 months free for your puppy!
Congrats on your new bundle of joy
Common health issues for Italian Spinones
What do Italian Spinone owners claim for the most?
- Hip dysplasia: A developmental condition where the hip joint forms abnormally, causing looseness, pain and reduced mobility. Genetics are a major factor, while rapid growth, excess weight and inappropriate exercise can worsen symptoms. Early diagnosis, weight control and veterinary care can help manage the condition.
- Elbow dysplasia: A developmental condition where the elbow joint forms abnormally, causing front-leg pain, stiffness and lameness. It can lead to progressive arthritis over time. Genetics are a major factor, while growth rate, diet, exercise and weight can influence severity.
- Cerebellar ataxia: A neurological condition where disease or abnormal development of the cerebellum affects coordination, balance and controlled movement. Signs may include a wide-based or uncoordinated gait, tremors, exaggerated limb movements, swaying, head tilt or difficulty judging distance.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: A life-threatening emergency, also called bloat, where the stomach fills with gas or fluid and twists on itself. Signs may include a swollen abdomen, restlessness, drooling, unproductive retching, weakness or collapse..
- Eye conditions: These can include cataracts, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, dry eye, corneal ulcers and other problems affecting vision or eye comfort. Common signs include redness, cloudiness, discharge, squinting, pawing at the eye, swelling or vision changes.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your Italian Spinone
When comparing cover for your Italian Spinone, look for:
Check that the policy covers conditions Italian Spinones can be prone to, including common health issues.
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your Italian Spinone, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your Italian Spinone and your budget.
Italian Spinone feeding and nutrition
The Italian Spinone needs a balanced diet that supports its large, sturdy body and moderate sporting-dog activity level. Quality protein helps maintain muscle, while healthy fats support energy, skin and the breed’s wiry coat.
Portion control is important, as Spinoni can gain weight if overfed or under-exercised. Meals should be measured and adjusted according to age, weight and activity. As with many larger dogs, feeding two smaller meals per day may be preferable to one large meal.
Italian Spinone care and grooming
The Italian Spinone has a dense, wiry coat that needs regular brushing and combing to prevent tangles and remove debris. Weekly grooming helps maintain the coat’s rough texture and keeps the beard, eyebrows and leg furnishings tidy. The beard should be cleaned regularly, as it can collect food and water.
The coat may need occasional hand-stripping or professional grooming to keep it in good condition. Bathing should be done as needed, but not too frequently, to preserve the coat’s natural texture. Regular ear checks, nail trimming and dental care are important, especially for dogs that spend time outdoors.
Size, appearance and coat of Italian Spinones
The Italian Spinone is a large, solidly built gundog with a rugged outline and a gentle, thoughtful expression. It has a long head, pronounced eyebrows, a square muzzle, hanging ears and a strong body built for endurance rather than speed.
Its coat is dense, wiry and harsh, helping protect it in rough terrain. Coat colours include solid white, white and orange, orange roan, white and brown, and brown roan, often with a naturally weathered, rustic appearance.
| Weight range | 29 to 39 kg |
| Height range | 58 to 70 cm |
| Colours | White, white and orange, orange roan, white and brown, brown roan |
| Coat length | Dense, harsh, wiry medium coat |
Breed history of Italian Spinones
The Italian Spinone is one of Italy’s old rough-coated gundogs, developed to hunt through varied and difficult terrain. Its name is often linked with thorny cover, reflecting a dog expected to push through brambles and rough ground while locating and retrieving game.
Unlike faster pointing breeds, the Spinone was valued for steadiness, endurance and a deliberate style that suited hunters on foot. Italian breeders worked to preserve its rustic coat, gentle expression and versatile hunting ability, particularly after the breed’s numbers were affected by the upheavals of the twentieth century.
Explore related breeds
Italian Spinone facts!
- The Spinone Italiano was bred as a versatile hunting companion and is one of Italy’s classic gundogs..
- They have a rugged, rustic look. Their wiry coat, beard and eyebrows give them a weathered, expressive face.
- Spinoni are often calmer, gentler and more patient than many sporting breeds.
- They are strong swimmers. Many enjoy water and retrieving work.
- Their name may relate to thorny cover. “Spinone” is often linked to the Italian word for thorn or bramble, reflecting their ability to work through rough terrain.
Summary
The Italian Spinone is a large, rugged gundog with a wiry coat, heavy brows, beard and gentle, thoughtful expression. Patient, affectionate and steady, Spinoni are often calmer than many sporting breeds but still need regular activity and companionship.
They require moderate exercise, kind training, regular grooming of the beard
Next steps…
Interested in welcoming a Italian Spinone into your family? Start by researching the breed carefully, speaking with reputable breeders or rescue groups, and asking about health testing, temperament and early socialisation.
As with any breed, suitability depends less on appearance and more on temperament, lifestyle fit and the individual dog. Prospective owners should look for a reputable breeder or rescue organisation, ask about health testing and early socialisation, and consider whether the breed’s energy, grooming and space requirements genuinely match day-to-day family life.
You can also explore Bow Wow Meow’s dog breed resources, compare breed suitability for your lifestyle and consider pet insurance options before your new dog comes home.
MORE INFORMATION
Spinone Club of America: https://www.spinoneclubofamerica.com/
Italian Spinone Club Of GB: https://www.italianspinone.co.uk/
