THE ITALIAN SPINONE
By PAOLO SACCHETTI

Reprinted from The Spinone Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 1, October 1989

History: The SPINONE is an ancient, noble breed of pointer that is known to almost every Central European outdoorsman, but is still relatively unheard of here in the United States.

Their impressive characteristics include a long history. Although their origin is uncertain, as with all very ancient breeds the hypothesis maintained by serious documentation would prove that its ancestors trace back to approximately 500 B.C.; at that time, as can be found in the "Gynegiticon" by Senofonte, there existed dogs with strong bristly hair who were physically very resistant and who pointed on the game. In later documentation by Grazio Falisco (100 A.D.) his "Ginegeticon" shows that dogs with long hair similar to sheep, only bristly and rough like stone or "pietra" (therefore called "Petroni"), were in existence. Flavio and Oppiano (200 A.D.) cited dogs with the same characteristics and they added "dogs that do not hunt for themselves but for their master". In 300 A.D., Nemisiano chronicles pointing dogs with long, thick hair, not too fast in their speed while searching out game.

Less remote lineage is found in Italy around the 15-16th century in a Fresco painted by Andrea Montagna in which appears a dog that with all probability is a SPINONE. The same type of dog appears later in other works of celebrated artists as Tiziano and Tiepolo. Additionally, there is a vast literary documentation from the middle of the thirteenth to the beginning of the fifteenth century, which gives testimony that a dog with the peculiar characteristics of today's SPINONE existed in that time and was held in great esteem; first being called rough-coated hound, bristled hound or "bacco Spinoso" but today called only SPINONE.

The traits that have so impressed the hunters of centuries past have not changed in today's breed. The SPINONE has a profitable and lively gait (fast trot) which follows a pattern that is diagonal and almost always in straight lines of approximately fifty to seventy yards. The distance is spaced to match his excellent sense of smell. His search is conscientious and is livened by a side to side almost continuous movement of the short tail stub.

As he picks up a light scent, he gradually slows his gait and returns toward the presumed origin with extreme prudence. His head in the wind, he is always alert and quick to respond to any situation. In cases of a false alarm, he again picks up his normal search. If, on the other hand, he realizes that the scent leads to the game, he slows down even more until the last steps are very slow, often testing the ground with his paw before putting it down for fear of making even the slightest sound. When he is on point his short tail becomes rigid and is lifted slightly upward.

Though noble and impressive in stature, the SPINONE is surprisingly cautious in the hunt. When the prey tries to find refuge by walking away, SPINONE follows the scent, resuming a movement that is ever so gradual and proceeds with the utmost discretion. He avoids, as much as possible, dry branches and leaves but always maintains the tension of the point. His prey stops... he stops. It moves again and the pursuit resumes. All this takes place while maintaining unceasing, tight contact with his hunter-master. I would unequivocally say that this is the best quality that the SPINONE has. All of the hard and elaborate work of the day's hunt is dedicated to the master. "The dog does not hunt for himself but for the hunt." To these "beautiful" can surely be added. Also, the SPINONE has a "kindly nature" and easy to train.

Although the breed has long been recognized by the International Kennel Association, it is not yet recognized as a standard breed in this country. It is characterized as follows: height varies from 23" to 28" for the adult male dog and 23" to 25" for the bitch, weight ranges from 70 to 81 pounds for the adult male dog and 62 to 70 for the bitch. The coat, the skin and the hair are three determinant elements. The skin-hair relationship must correspond perfectly to the standard because along with the head and the expression, it most readily confirms the characteristics of the "type".

The approved colors are white, white-orange, spotted (white spotted uniformly with orange), and brown roan (with or without spots of brown other than the large brown patches).

The hair must be between 1 1/2 and 2 1/4 inches, long, rough, thick, dry (not oily) and it is best if there is no undercoat. The skin is close to the body, tough and thick as opposed to that of the Italian hound, which is thin and easily lifted from the body. He is a very strong dog. His thick skin allows him to adapt to different climates, making his hunting habits very adaptable. He is equally comfortable in woods, fields and swamps (where he can show his swimming ability).

This is a breed which cannot be equaled in its kind, loyal disposition or its keen hunting instincts. What more can a hunter, dog-lover ask for!

Paolo Sacchetti with Tell

 NOTE: This Article entitled "THE ITALIAN SPINONE" also appeared in GUN DOG MAGAZINE'S JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1989 ISSUE.