Spinone Italiano
Also called Italian Spinone, Spinone, Bracco Spinoso, Italian Griffon, Italian Wire-haired Pointer
From Italy, with the modern breed taking shape in Piedmont in the 19th century.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
rough, wiry coat
A stiff, dense and fairly flat coat of about 4 to 6 cm with little or no undercoat, shorter on the head. Bushy eyebrows, a moustache and a beard give the breed its wise, almost human expression. Strong bones and a sturdy, square-ish frame.123
Personality what they are like
An easygoing, friendly and patient gundog that gets on well with people. It can be a little stubborn at times, but its gentle, dependable nature makes it a well-loved family dog.143
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day; it moves at a steady, ground-covering trot built for endurance rather than speed.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brushing more than once a week keeps the rough, shedding coat tidy.31
Home where they are happiest
A roomy house with a garden suits it best; it can live in town or country as long as it gets plenty of outdoor time.3
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A balanced diet for a large, active sporting dog, matched to its workload.3
Company who they like around
A people-loving breed that does best as part of a busy family.43
The story where it all began
Rough-haired pointing dogs have lived in Italy since at least the Renaissance, and one appears in a 15th-century fresco by Andrea Mantegna. Numbers fell after the Second World War, and breed societies founded in 1949 and 1973 rebuilt it. Today it is a popular gundog and show dog in many countries.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
A dog resembling the Spinone appears in a 15th-century fresco by Andrea Mantegna.1
- 2
During the Second World War Italian partisans used Spinoni for tracking and for carrying supplies.2
- 3
Orange and white made up more than half of new Italian registrations between 2010 and 2018.2
- 4
Its coat has almost no undercoat, which is unusual for a wire-coated gundog.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 165, Group 7, Section 1.3 Continental Pointing Dogs, griffon type; standard dated 17.12.2015. Definitively accepted in 1955 per Wikipedia.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Gundog group as 'Italian Spinone'; not a vulnerable native breed.3
- AKC
- Sporting Group breed.4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Spinone Italiano. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Spinone Italiano, and at what times?
Feed your Spinone at least two meals a day as an adult, and three to four smaller meals for puppies. A consistent schedule helps digestion, but exact times can fit your routine. Check the food label and your vet for how much to give, since this active breed needs a balanced diet matched to its workload.35
What should a Spinone Italiano eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A balanced diet for a large, active sporting dog is key, so choose a high-quality food suited to its energy needs. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, xylitol, and alcohol, these are especially risky for dogs. Always avoid human treats like avocado or macadamia nuts too.36
How often should I bathe a Spinone Italiano?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, but general guidance says at least once every three months. Bathe more often if your Spinone gets very dirty or has skin issues, but avoid over-washing to protect its natural coat oils.7 Furry Diary plan
How often does a Spinone Italiano need brushing?
Brush your Spinone's rough, shedding coat more than once a week to keep it tidy and reduce loose hair. Furry Diary's plan recommends weekly brushing; a thorough session at least every 7 days works well.31 Furry Diary plan
How do I trim a Spinone Italiano's nails, and how often?
Trim nails about every 4 weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Take off a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part inside) to avoid pain. If unsure, ask your vet or a groomer for a demo.7 Furry Diary plan
How much exercise does a Spinone Italiano need?
This steady, endurance-built breed needs more than two hours of exercise daily. Daily walks and play sessions are essential to keep it happy and healthy, just not at a frantic pace, as it moves at a ground-covering trot.3 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Spinone Italiano's teeth and ears?
Brush your Spinone's teeth two to three times a week with dog-safe toothpaste, daily is ideal. For its floppy ears, check and dry them weekly to prevent moisture buildup, and never push anything into the ear canal.7 Furry Diary plan
How long does a Spinone Italiano live?
A Spinone Italiano typically lives between 10 and 12 years, with good care and regular vet checks. Enjoy many happy years with this gentle, sturdy companion.32
Is a Spinone Italiano good with children and other pets?
Yes, the Spinone is known for its easygoing, patient and friendly nature, making it a wonderful family dog. It gets on well with people and is generally dependable with children and other pets when properly socialised.43
Can a Spinone Italiano be left alone?
This people-loving breed thrives as part of a busy family and does best when not left alone for long periods. If you must leave it, start with short absences and build up, but it's happiest with company. For specific advice, ask your vet or breeder.43
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 165, Spinone Italiano fci.beused for origin, recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Spinone Italiano en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, lifespan study, history, fun facts
- The Royal Kennel Club: Italian Spinone royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan, home
- AKC: Spinone Italiano akc.orgused for temperament, group
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.