Spinone Italiano
Italian Coursehaired Pointer, Italian Griffon, Italian Pointer, Italian Spinone, Italian Wirehaired Pointer
Contrary to its name the Spinone Italiano is an all-around gundog, not just a pointer. It is capable of pointing, trailing game, flushing and retrieving from both land and water over any terrain and in all weather conditions.
Spinone Italiano Standards
- 24-26"
- 71-82 lbs
- large gundog
- hanging, triangular ears
- tail is traditionally docked where legal
- tough, wiry coat, longer on cheeks and muzzle
- brown roan
- orange roan
- white and orange
- white
History of the Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano is an ancient gundog that originated in Italy and traces back to at least the 13th century. The name ‘Spinone’ is derived from an Italian thorn bush, the ‘spino’, as it is said that only one of these dogs would push themselves into it after prey. Their ancestry is debated, by both the Italians and the French, each wanting to claim their own dogs as the older breeds. The French insist they descend from early French hounds, such as the Barbet and griffons, while the Italians insist it was the Spinone Italiano that developed these same dogs. The most popular theory is that it is indigenous to Italy, descended from the native Segugio Italiano. Like many breeds it was almost lost after WWII and while it was revived by dedicated breeders some have suggested outside blood was added, such as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or German Wirehaired Pointer.