Spinone Italiano
- Group 7: Pointers
- Section 1: Continental Pointing Dogs
- With working trial
Italian Rough Haired Pointer
Male: 60-70 cm Female: 58-65 cm
Male: 32-37 kg Female: 28-30 kg
- White - orange
- White - brown
The Spinone is a recognized by the FCI Italian breed ( FCI Group 7, Section 1.3, Standard No. 165).
Origin and History
It is believed that the breed in the Italian Piedmont has its origin. It is believed that this is one of the oldest Pointers. Thus, this type of dog is on the fresco by Andrea Mantegna The return of the Cardinal Gonzaga (1450 ) and on a painting by Annibale Carracci to find ( 1560-1609 ). Jacques Espée de Selincourt writes in 1683 in his book Le Parfait Chasseur ( The perfect hunter ) that the best Griffons come from Italy and Piedmont and it refers to the Spinone. Just because it is an ancient breed are the origins unclear and there are several theories that are far apart. Tale, a dog expert from the 16th century, the suspected origin of the Spinone in the compound of Russian Griffons with the Bracco Italiano. Another theory suggested the origin at a now extinct Spanish Pointer.
During the Second World War, the Spinone almost died out. Time, the fact played a role that many Italian hunters began to hunt with other pointing dogs who came from abroad, such as setters, pointers or German Wirehaired Pointer. In return, the Spinone was also exported to other countries, so that the breeding population has now recovered.
Description
There are the following color variants: Entirely white, white with orange plates, white-orange roan, white-orange roan with orange plates, brown roan, brown roan with brown patches and white with brown patches. The coat is rough and hairy, 4-6 cm long, the body tightly, forming the head and ears, which are called by hunting dogs ears, shorter. The Spinone has strong bones and strong muscles. His long hangings and the long beard give him a breed typical, serious expression. The eyes are depending on coat color amber to ocher. The body is square and suitable for the preferred gait of the Spinone - the trot.
Use
The Spinone is an excellent hunting dog, with a very good sense of smell. The search, the protrusion and the retrieval of game are its main applications. It is weatherproof, a good swimmer and can be used in any terrain. His good-natured creature makes him a popular companion dog. Because of its good nose it is also used for the Mantrailing.