Please tell me about Italian Spinones

[ancientgeordiegirl]

I already have 2 dogs and am thinking on getting a 3rd (in about 2 years time for a 50th birthday present for my DH) as my husband and I have always liked Italian Spinones. We've done research and always talk to any owners that we meet on dog walks etc. but wondered if anyone could tell me more? Our current dogs are a Lab/Spaniel cross (not designer she came from a farm) and a wire haired dachshund so I'm aware that a Spinone will be MUCH larger. In 2 years my kids will be 18, 15 and 13 and they have all being brought up with dogs so they are keen. Any words of advice would be gratefully received.

[StillMedusa]

Huge and puppy like for a long time. I don't own one but regularly see 4 (two pairs) and they are all good natured, friendly and rather clumsy!
They also get very mucky faces with those beards!

They do seem to have a high prey drive though.. or the ones I know do. Two of them disappeared for 3 hours after seeing a deer.. went off across the fields leaving their owner frantic (luckily round here most dog people recognised each other and a dog walker managed to catch them)
I'd love a Spinone but my dog is scared of them ..I think because of their size and the way the lollop up to her!

[villainousbroodmare]

I saw a 14 week old male Spinone the other day. He weighed 33kg which is like a medium adult Lab. Guess he'll make 60kg easily. Very soft and snoozy.

[Peaseblossom22]

The drool a lot and also have spoiling recall but are gorgeous . My friend who had one used to have her house deep cleaned regularly because of the drool

[TheOriginalMrsMoss]

My 7-month-old retriever puppy plays with 2 Italian Spinones and they are such a lovely temperament. Big, gentle and lollopy.

I looked up the breed characteristics and it says 'Docile, Affectionate, Friendly, Patient, Loyal, Gentle' which accurately portrays the ones I've met. Lovely dogs.

[Parkandride]

Lovely but oh god the slobber, a friends come to stay sometimes and I follow them around with a damp cloth. And I am not very house proud!

[sunflowersandbuttercups]

Every spinone I've ever met has been really smelly! I suspect it's the combination of hair/drool. They're gorgeous but it's not something I could ever get over!

[CausingChaos2]

The Italian Spinone I knew had a dedicated drool muslin 🤮 I love all animals but it wouldn’t be for me!

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Lovely dogs, but if they come from working lines they will have (or should have!) some serious prey drive and will want to follow their noses.

If you want one as a pet, do your homework thoroughly. Find out about the dogs in the pedigree of any potential puppy, whether or not they were worked, or run in field trials: the breeder should know this kind of thing. A spinone winning a showing award (ShCh or JW) doesn't mean it isn't also worked. Trialling awards show on the pedigree as FTCH and FTW. The working lines of breeds like the spinone need consistent training, a lot of brain work and an on-the-ball owner. Dogs bred for the show ring with no thought of working them are likely to be less driven and demanding.

[frumpety]

If you don't fancy the hair , how about a Bracco Italiano ?

[weaselwords]

I've always fancied one, but the drool put me off. Big, nice natured dogs that I met and I think are good looking.

[Veterinari]

Big affectionate, lollopy
Awful chronic ear disease

Get insurance

[OhBuggerandArse]

I knew an old one once - it hadn't aged well. Huge droopy red inflamed eyes, definitely drool everywhere like the others have said, and oh my goodness its poos! I have never seen anything like them, from dog or human. Imagine the largest poo the largest man you know has ever done, wide, thick and long, and then double it. They were the worst thing I have ever seen on a dog walk (and its owner was not - erm - meticulous - about collecting them).

[PinkJammie]

I lived with two when I rented a room once. They were lquite dopey and laid back, but would bark (loudly) on occasion. Being paler colours they get very messy and I remember them being quite smelly, you’d need to bath them v often. Lovely dogs but would need a fair bit of upkeep. I think they’re pretty rare so good luck tracking one down!

[Coffeecreativity]

All these descriptions are making me think of a canine Boris Johnson!

[ancientgeordiegirl]

Thank you all - very helpful - I was aware of the drool factor but perhaps had underestimated it - Also a good point about show v field lines as we would not be working the dog so don't necessarily want one with very strong prey drive. I'm very much doing my homework at the moment as this is not an impulse purchase but a long term project for about 2023! My husband was brought up with German Short Haired Pointers (his parents bred them ) but we like hairy dogs so maybe I should also look into a wirehaired pointer?

[ancientgeordiegirl]

@frumpety wow! How big do they get - they look very majestic!

[frumpety]

@ancientgeordiegirl one actually crossed the road in front of me today, looked quite young though so not fully filled out, I think they are similar proportions to the Spinone, just a lot less hairy.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

A friend of mine has one. Lovely dog but not off leash due to prey drive. Its not an issue not letting them off leash you can walk on a long line.