Spinone Talk by Jim Channon

After almost 12 years talking to Spinone (yes, that's right, talking) I am hereby making an attempt to describe some of their conversations and what >they mean (to me, at least). 

THE SPINONE GROWL:

Heard very little, but when you do hear it, there is a reason (as in their movements, don't ignore anything from your Spinone, they don't waste motions, they are very smart and methodical and everything means something). This verbal, often aggressive warning is the Spinone equivalent of swearing. It happens most often when the alpha Spinone is approached by another alpha Spinone (they rarely waste this on other breeds) and the Spinone feels threatened or feels that his/her owner is threatened. It can also be a protective warning and they really sound as if they mean it. Sometimes this growl is in evidence if his/her owner is upset.

THE SPINONE HOWL/YODEL:

A long-distance form of Spinone communication, it is the auditory equivalent of smoke signals. "Where are you?" is answered by, "We're over here." As I live within hearing (for the Spinone, not me) distance of our local fire department and rescue squad and their sirens, my Spinone all howl in harmony as soon as they hear the sirens. Sometimes, if there has been no siren for a few days, they will howl anyway! Maybe you could say they are "sounding off".

THE SPINONE WHINE:

This high-pitched, monosyllabic "hhhmm, hhhhmmmm" sound solicits you to do something (like retrieve a slobber-soaked tennis ball that has rolled under the sofa.) This is often accompanied by the foot swatting you or the Spinone (Peggy Sue, especially and most recently Scooby-Do) taking your arm in his/her mouth and pulling you to whatever they want.  Sometimes they want me to pitch a toy stuffed animal for them. They bring the toy, drop it in my lap, then tell me to throw it. They are very persistent about this as well. A really good way to handle this is to have a toddler grandkid who will spend hours throwing as the Spinone retrieves!!! (Good babysitter tool as well)

THE SPINONE BARK:

This yapping is usually territorial in nature (the "you better watch out" call to drive people away), or separation anxiety barking (the pathetic yipping that rolls into a whine when you walk out the door and don't take that particular Spinone with you). My Spinone have a different bark for different people. I can tell when it is the Avon lady (she loves Spinoni), the electrical meter reader (he is scared of any dog), Dixie (local friend who gives them biscuits), a complete stranger or my son or daughter--their barks are different for different sorts of people. Sometimes when they are telling on each other, the bark is different. It is high pitched anxious when they are telling me that someone opened the gate and everyone is marching up the four lane highway, single file on the gravel side, at least. 

THE SPINONE MOAN:

The Spinone is happy to see you after you left him/her to entertain themselves (even if for only a few minutes or hours). You did not take him/her with you, but she/he forgives you and is happy to see you again and will give you a chance to make this recent oversight up to him/her.  They often meet you with a toy and words to the effect "See what I have".  If they can't find a toy to show you, they will pick up a stick or even a leaf, but something in their mouth to offer for your approval and attention. They are talking/moaning the entire time this transaction is going on.

THE SPINONE PURR:

This mack-truck throttle sound is initiated by the release of the Spinone's feel-good endorphins in situations of pleasure (neck-scratching or belly-rubbing). The Spinone can also snore and make various whimpers and sounds while it is dreaming.

Okay, so our Spinone don't speak English (Italian???) but they do convey their moods and communicate very well if we learn to decipher Spinone talk.