Italian Spinone at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 58–70 cm
- Weight
- 29–39 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog.
Is the Italian Spinone right for you?
Like every breed, the Italian Spinone is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You have children and can supervise them with the dog.
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You have, or would like, another dog.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- This would be your first dog.
How would the Italian Spinone fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Italian Spinone
The Italian Spinone is a large, solid and robust gundog with a thick, coarse coat, expressive eyebrows and a dense beard and moustache that give it an almost human expression. It moves with a pounding trot built for stamina rather than speed. Typically it is patient, faithful and friendly, playful at home and tireless in the field.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Very high
Usually needs several hours of activity or work a day.
- Energy level
Lively
A lively dog that enjoys being busy.
- Grooming
Moderate
The coat usually needs brushing several times a week.
- Shedding
Moderate
Sheds a moderate amount, varying by dog and season.
- Trainability
Moderate
Generally trainable with patience and consistency.
- Good with children
Often good
Often good with children, with supervision.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
It is an ancient Italian breed and hugely popular in its home country as an all-purpose gundog that can hunt, point and retrieve. Dogs resembling the Spinone appear in Renaissance paintings. Its ancestry is uncertain: theories include Italian hounds such as the Segugio, French breeds such as the Barbet and Griffon, and perhaps some Setter or Mastiff.
The breed was first seen in the UK at the Game Fair in the early 1980s and later became popular in the show ring. Its name comes from an older name, Bracco Spinoso, which refers both to its prickly, wiry coat and to the thorny undergrowth it hunted through.
Italian Spinone temperament
Spinoni usually love work and play in equal measure: they are capable of working all day yet are playful and friendly at home. They are slow to mature. Puppies are endearing and comical, and adults become more dignified while keeping a humorous, easy-going nature.
A bored Spinone, or one that does not see the point of what it is being asked, is likely to show its clownish side. Many are chatty and vocal, and they usually welcome everyone happily.
Size and appearance
The Spinone is a large breed. Adults typically stand 58–70 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 29–39 kg, with males larger than females.
The coat is thick, dense, coarse and partly wiry, about 4–6 cm long. Breed standard colours include white, white and orange, orange roan, white and brown, and brown roan.
How much exercise does a Italian Spinone need?
Spinoni are energetic and need at least two hours of exercise a day, mixing walking, running, play and training. They enjoy long country walks and retrieving on land or in water, and rough terrain or thick cover does not put them off. Keep them active, as they tend to gain weight.
They are best suited to a larger home in the countryside with a big, secure garden, and not to small homes, flats with many stairs or city life. Expect mud, water, hair and drool around the house.
Training a Italian Spinone
Spinoni are usually keen to please and can be easy to train with consistency, though they are not natural problem solvers and tend to prefer learning as they go rather than formal training.
- Use reward-based training and stay consistent.
- Be patient: this is a slow-maturing breed.
- Keep training relevant and interesting so they do not get bored.
- Socialise them well so they fit easily into family life.
Italian Spinone grooming
Brush the coat two or three times a week, and strip out dead hair if necessary; occasional professional grooming may help. The beard and moustache collect drool and food and need regular wiping. Check ears and paws often for grass seeds and other foreign bodies. Spinoni do shed.
Living with a Italian Spinone
For an active family that enjoys the outdoors in all weathers, the Spinone can be an excellent companion and usually fits well into family life once socialised. With smaller children, though, its urge to carry toys can cause problems, and its size means it can easily knock over small or frail family members. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Often good with children, with supervision.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A secure garden is strongly advised.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Italian Spinone health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Purina describes the Spinone as a generally robust breed, but some conditions are recognised in it. Knowing about them helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every Spinone will be affected.
Cerebellar ataxia (CA)
A disease in which the brain does not work properly, which can affect how the dog moves. A DNA test is available, the Royal Kennel Club recommends it as a minimum before breeding, and imported dogs must be tested before they can be registered.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
In hip dysplasia, the hip joint is loose because it has not developed properly, which eventually leads to arthritis. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip and elbow testing under the BVA/KC schemes as a minimum before breeding, and eye testing as best practice.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV)
Often called bloat, this is when the stomach twists and traps its contents and gas. It is an emergency that needs urgent veterinary attention and is often seen in large, deep-chested breeds.
Panosteitis
A painful, inflammatory bone disease.
Epilepsy
A brain disorder that can lead to seizures.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is underactive, which can lead to low energy, weight gain and skin problems.
Skin, ear and eye conditions
Spinoni can be prone to atopy, an allergic sensitivity that causes itching and skin damage, as well as ear and skin infections and entropion, where the eyelids turn inwards.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Italian Spinone home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Italian Spinone cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Italian Spinone home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Italian Spinone
If you have decided the Italian Spinone suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Italian Spinone
Italian Spinones do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Italian Spinones looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
There are no Italian Spinone adverts at the moment.
Find Italian Spinone adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
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View breed guide
Italian Spinone FAQs
Is the Italian Spinone good with children?
Often good with children, with supervision. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Italian Spinone live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Italian Spinone need?
Very high: usually needs several hours of activity or work each day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Italian Spinone shed?
Moderate shedding.
How much grooming does the Italian Spinone need?
Typically: several times a week.
Is the Italian Spinone easy to train?
Generally trainable with consistency. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Italian Spinone be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Italian Spinone bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Italian Spinone good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Italian Spinone live?
Typically from 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Italian Spinone get?
Adults typically stand 58–70 cm at the shoulder and weigh 29–39 kg.