Italian hunting dog → family companion
Slow and steady
Spinoni work closer and slower than many pointers. Many now live as calm family dogs.
Meet the parents and see how gentle they are and how they settle at home.
Spinone Italiano · Sporting
Spinone Italiano: temperament, training & soft Italian pointer
The Spinone Italiano is an old Italian pointing dog with a rough coat, a beard and a famously kind face. Most are gentle, patient and affectionate. Life goes well with daily sniffing walks, patient and gentle training, kitchen manners and weekly coat care.
- Job: Old Italian pointer for rough, thorny ground.
- Energy: Moderate to high; long daily walks.
- Home: Fits calm homes with space for a large dog.
First, the point
A Spinone is a gentle Italian pointer that needs sniffing walks, kind training and kitchen manners
Public breed histories describe a centuries-old Italian dog that hunted rough ground at a steady trot.
Most Spinoni are calm and soft. Typical struggles are slow recall, pulling, stealing food and drool.
In the first months I teach recall games, loose-lead walking, kitchen manners and calm handling.
- Height
- 22–27.5 in (56–70 cm)
- Weight
- 61–86 lb (28–39 kg)
- Energy
- Moderate (sniff then rest)
- Coat / shed
- Rough wiry coat — sheds moderately; weekly brushing, beard wiping
- Job
- Old Italian pointer for rough, thorny ground
Breed history
An old Italian pointer with a gentle face
The Spinone Italiano is an old Italian hunting dog. It was bred to search rough, thorny ground at a steady trot, point birds and retrieve them, including from water. That job made a calm, patient, affectionate dog with a rough coat and a kind expression.
Italy, centuries old → hunting dog
Built for thorny ground
Public breed histories describe rough-coated pointing dogs in northern Italy for centuries. The name is often linked to “spino”, a thorny bush.
The breed nearly disappeared after the Second World War, and Italian breeders rebuilt it.
What the breed was bred for
Gentle, patient and soft
In plain trainer language: Spinoni are kind, easy-going dogs that dislike harsh handling.
The hard parts are slow recall when a scent is interesting, pulling, stealing food, drool and a long puppyhood. Patient training, daily walks and kitchen manners help most.
- Daily sniffing walks
- Patient, gentle training
- Kitchen manners
- Weekly coat care
Public references: FCI 165, AKC Spinone Italiano, RKC.
Life together
A Spinone’s day is a long walk and a long nap
Spinoni need daily walks and sniffing. At home most are calm, affectionate and a little messy.
Show · white
Soft and steady
A loose lead takes practice with a strong, sniffing dog.
See loose-leash walking.
Grass · roan
A steady walker
Spinoni follow their nose. Use a long line in open country.
See long-line recall.
Reeds · walk
At home in the countryside
Sniffing walks tire a Spinone more than fast running.
See scavenging on walks.
Show · male
A big, gentle dog
A tall dog finds food on counters. Teach kitchen manners.
See counter surfing.
Care and health themes
Monthly checks: coat, ears, face and weight
A trainer’s checklist, not veterinary advice. See a vet for ear smell, limping, a swollen belly after eating or low energy. For urgent signs, see when to call the vet.
Coat
Brush weekly; some coats need light hand-stripping.
Ears
Check for seeds and smell.
Face
Wipe the beard after meals and drinks.
Weight
Keep lean; Spinoni love food.
Health screening (not a diagnosis)
Ask the breeder which screenings the national breed club recommends, including hip scores and DNA tests, and see results for both parents.
Toxins
I do not publish toxin amounts. Call a vet or poison-control line if the dog eats something dangerous.
Lines and types
White, orange or brown roan
Spinoni are white, white with orange, orange roan, white with brown or brown roan.
White and orange
- White or orange-marked.
- Same rough coat.
- Same gentle nature.
- Same needs.
The classic look.
Brown roan
- Brown and white ticking.
- Same rough coat.
- Same gentle nature.
- Same needs.
A darker, rugged look.
Socialization windows
What to introduce — and what not to overload — by age
AVSAB-aligned in spirit: short, clean exposures at a distance the puppy can still eat, with hygiene while vaccines finish. See the puppy socialization schedule.
Gentle start
Introduce: handling, name games, toilet routine, short sniff walks.
Do not overload: harsh handling.
Lead and recall
Introduce: loose-lead walking, long-line recall, kitchen rules.
Do not overload: off-lead in open country.
Clumsy teenager
Introduce: scent games, settle, calm greetings.
Do not overload: long runs on hard ground.
Growing up slowly
Introduce: longer walks, field work, tracking.
Do not overload: expecting adult focus too soon.
Gentle adult
Introduce: refreshed recall and manners.
Do not overload: weight gain.
Before you buy
Who a Spinone Italiano usually fits
A Spinone suits calm, patient people who want a gentle, rugged dog and do not mind a little drool.
Good match
More likely a good fit if you…
- Enjoy long, steady walks
- Like a gentle, soft dog
- Are patient with slow learners
- Do not mind drool and a wet beard
- Have space for a large dog
Mismatch risk
A Spinone Italiano may be a poor choice if…
- You want fast obedience
- Mess and drool bother you
- You want a jogging partner for speed
- Long hours alone are routine
- You live in a small flat
If you are torn between breeds
Spinone Italiano vs German Wirehaired Pointer and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Spinoni are compared with German Wirehaired Pointers and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.
Pace
Spinone Italiano Slow, steady trot.
German Wirehaired Pointer Fast and keen.
Temperament
Spinone Italiano Very gentle.
German Wirehaired Pointer Tougher, often reserved.
Size
Spinone Italiano Large.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Medium.
Drool
Spinone Italiano Some.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Little.
Coat
Spinone Italiano Rough.
Both compares All have rough coats.
Ownership without surprises
What a Spinone costs to keep
Prices vary by country. These are the spending themes, not figures.
Health checks
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends.
Grooming
Brushes and occasional stripping.
Food
A large dog eats a lot.
Towels
For beards and muddy legs.
Training
Gentle classes.
Insurance
Consider it early.
With a Spinone, size and food are the biggest regular costs.
Before day one at home
What to prepare for a Spinone Italiano puppy
A Spinone puppy is soft and clumsy. Start gentle handling and kitchen rules early.
Gentle handling
See puppy handling.
Kitchen rules
See place during cooking.
Lead skills
See puppy leash training.
Gentle mouths
See biting and nipping.
Toilet routine
Follow potty training.
Short walks
See walk length by age.
If the dog is already yours
Training a Spinone is soft and slow
Spinoni learn with food and kindness, and shut down with harsh words.
My core list: recall, loose-lead walking, kitchen manners and a settle.
Tracking, scent work and gentle field work suit them well.
Load balance
A sniffing walk, then a nap
A long sniffing walk and a nap suit most Spinoni.
Walk Sniff Train Brush Nap
Walks, sniffing, short training and a brush suit most Spinoni.
A Spinone with walks and kind training is a gentle, loving companion.
Recall
How to build recall with a Spinone Italiano
Long line, a happy voice and a big reward for every return.
- 01
Long line on
Freedom with safety.
- 02
Call when free
Not mid-sniff.
- 03
Happy voice
Encourage.
- 04
Big reward
Food every time.
- 05
Build slowly
Add distractions.
One scene close-up
Why your Spinone takes its time coming back
Spinoni were bred to search ground carefully with their nose.
Practise on a long line and reward every return with food.
Call when the dog is not busy sniffing, and build up slowly.
Typical household scenes
Where Spinone Italiano owners most often need help
A breed page is only a starting point; the fix depends on health, environment, and the dog in front of you. Each row opens a step-by-step guide.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
Slow recall
Nose comes first.
Pulling
Follows smells.
Counter surfing
Tall and food-keen.
Scavenging
Eats things on walks.
Jumping up
Big, friendly greetings.
Alone time
Unsettled when left.
Weight gain
Loves food.
Sudden change
Limping, a swollen belly or low energy — vet first.
Practical view
“With a Spinone, I train softly and slowly. We build recall, loose-lead walking and kitchen manners — because a gentle dog does best when it feels safe.”
Sessions cover real scenes: slow recall, pulling, counter surfing, and scavenging on walks. I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. No invented reviews.
Andrew Darov Professional dog trainer and instructor
WhatsApp consult Talk through your Spinone Italiano
Describe age, living setup, and where the dog breaks first — slow recall, pulling on the lead, counter surfing, or scavenging. Opens WhatsApp to Andrew.
Short answers
FAQ
Is a Spinone a good first dog?
Yes for calm, patient owners.
Are Spinoni good with children?
Usually gentle; supervise.
Do Spinoni shed?
Moderately; brush weekly.
How much exercise does an adult need?
Daily long walks with sniffing.
Do Spinoni drool?
Yes, some do, especially after drinking.
When do Spinoni calm down?
Often around two to three years.
Can a Spinone live in a flat?
Hard because of size; possible with daily walks.
Can Spinoni be left alone?
Build alone time slowly.
What about health?
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends and see the parents' results.
What is the typical lifespan of a Spinone Italiano?
Public breed references often give about 10 to 12 years. Individual dogs vary.
Is the plural Spinoni?
Yes, in Italian one Spinone, two Spinoni.
If a Spinone is too big or messy
If you want a gentle family dog with a smoother coat, consider this one.
German Wirehaired Pointer
A tough, loyal German hunting dog with a wiry coat that needs hard daily exercise, early socialising and a taught settle.
Vizsla
An affectionate, sensitive Hungarian pointer that needs daily running, slow alone-time training and a taught settle.
Weimaraner
A strong, loyal German hunting dog with a sleek grey coat that needs hard daily exercise, slow alone-time training and solid recall.
Golden Retriever
Friendly, steady family retriever that loves people.
More Sporting group breeds
Other guides from the same group in the breed library. Same group does not mean same dog: read the fit and the failure modes, not only the outline.
Welsh Springer Spaniel
A loyal, active red and white Welsh spaniel that needs daily sniffing walks, slow alone-time training and calm social outings.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
A friendly, loyal rough-coated gundog that needs daily walks and swims, slow alone-time training and regular coat care.
American Cocker Spaniel
A gentle, affectionate American spaniel with a long silky coat that needs kind handling, regular grooming and ear care.
Brittany
A keen, friendly French bird dog that needs daily running, long-line recall training and a taught settle at home.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
A tough, loyal American water retriever with an oily wavy coat that needs early socialising, clear rules and plenty of swimming.
Clumber Spaniel
A heavy, easy-going white English spaniel that needs sniffing walks, kitchen manners and careful weight control.
Need a read on your exact situation?
Describe your Spinone Italiano’s age and the scene that repeats most: slow recall, pulling on the lead, counter surfing, or scavenging. We check safety first, then pick the first skill.
Written by Andrew Darov, professional dog trainer. Not veterinary advice and not a diagnosis.
Not a kennel club. No invented reviews. No vaccine schedules or toxin doses. Photo credits in
/images/breeds/spinone-italiano-guide/credits.md.