Spinone Italiano
About the Spinone Italiano
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 22-27" |
| Weight | 61-85 lbs |
| Coat Type | Wire |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,500/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Spinone Italianos may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- First-Time Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Spinone Italiano
The story behind the Spinone Italiano
Rough-coated hunting dogs have been associated with the Piedmont region of northwest Italy for a long period, and the modern Spinone descends from Italian setting and pointing stock, with the name generally linked to the dense thorny scrub the dogs worked. They were used by hunters on foot for pointing and retrieving across marsh, field and woodland, and were valued for stamina, water tolerance and a temperament suited to close work with a walking gun. The breed suffered badly during the twentieth century, particularly around the Second World War, when crossbreeding and losses left the population fragmented. Italian breeders reconstructed the type in the following decades and secured a settled standard. The Spinone built a following in Britain and in North America during the later twentieth century, with kennel club recognition, and it is kept both as a working gundog and a family companion.
Originally bred for: Pointing gundog, water retriever, rough-cover hunting dog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Spinone Italiano
A large, slow-maturing gundog benefits from a controlled-growth puppy diet and, as an adult, a complete food matched to activity, raised during shooting season. Feed two calm meals with rest afterward, and keep the dog lean, since extra weight taxes a big frame.
Watch for: No breed-specific food sensitivity is recognised. Bearded dogs often develop damp chin irritation that is grooming-related rather than dietary. Persistent skin, ear or digestive problems deserve veterinary evaluation before any ingredient is eliminated from the diet.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Spinone Italiano
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.