Spinoni Art and Memorabilia #3
"SPINONE ITALIANO "
ILLUSTRATION by PIERO COZZAGLIO
from a book originally published in Milan,Italy in 1973.
Written by Gino Pugnetti and Illustrated by Piero Cozzaglio.
This very ancient dog is of uncertain origin. Some experts express the view that e was already know before the Christian era. Others say he originated in Russia, while still others believe that he came from the Piedmont, emigrating from there to France, where he became the progenitor of the French Griffon. The last contention, which would make him Italian, finds confirmation in the painting by Mantegna, in the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, which shows a Spinone at the feet of the Duke.
The Spinone flourished in the eighteenth century. He became the favorite dog of noblemen and commoners alike because of his strength, his endurance in the woods and marshes, his leathery skin, which permitted him to remain in the water for many hours, and also for the gentleness that is expressed in his affectionate, imploring eyes. Until the French Revolution, he was used in every way possible. Then came the wars, and the Spinone Italiano declined into almost total extinction. But toward the end of the nineteenth century the hunters began complaining, so breeders made use of the few acceptable dogs that remained and brought the breed slowly back into existence.
Today the Spinone enjoys great popularity as an undemanding, patient, sociable, and intelligent animal. He swims, well in cold water and is a perfect retriever. Between 24 and 28 inches (61 to 71 cm.) in height and 66 to 84 pounds (30 to 38kg.) in weight, he is a sturdy dog with an elastic gait. His coat can be completely white, or white with orange- and chestnut-colored spots. The coat is dense and hard, lying close to the body about 2 to three inches (5 to 7 cm.) in length with a thorny quality from which he got his name: Spina means thorn in Italian.
His tail is docked during the first months of his life so that its length will not exceed eight to 10 inches (20 to 25.4 cm.) in the adult animal. Thanks to the sociable and affectionate nature he adapts readily to family life in an apartment. During the summer, however, he needs several baths, and during the winter he must be taken for long runs.
North Light, 1993
Rambo and PO
from Dogs of All Nations, 1897
Print by Polly Pickering
From 1934 Hutchinson's Dog Encyclopedia
SPINONE ITALIANO: (left) ON THE SHOW BENCH - Spinoni
are workers and are, therefore, seldom seen in the show ring. The above
remarkably fine specimen, however, was exhibited by Mr. Emil Perona at a
Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Gardens, New York, where it
was judged to be the best Spinone Italiano in the show, "Mery".
(Right) Intellegent, intrepid and untiring, this breed is undoubtedly the
most popular with sportsmen in its native country. At one time of
the breed's history there was a temporary danger of extinction. For
unaccountable reasons, this useful gun-dog was almost abandoned.
Fortunately, some discriminating Italian breeders realized this danger in
time to restore the breed to form and favour.
by Roberto Amadori
Judge of the Annual Spinone Club of America Meeting
in 1999 at Clarksburg, New Jersey
