Spinone Italiano Care

The Spinone Italiano (also called the Italian Spinone; the plural is Spinoni Italiani dogs) is a hunting dog that, while affectionate and playful, can be comparatively nervous and needy. These dogs are versatile and athletic, but they'll need a good bit of care--which will mainly be plenty of TLC!

Below you'll find details on Spinone Italiano care and maintenance including info on puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding/drooling tendencies. For answers to your questions about owning this sporty but sensitive breed, keep reading!

Though Spinoni are energetic hunting dogs, their exercise needs are not as extensive as other breeds in the Sporting Group (of which Spinoni are AKC members). Still, Spinone Italiano exercise will need to include long walks and activities that stimulate these dogs mentally as well as physically. Spinoni also make excellent jogging and bicycling companions.

The typical adult Spinone Italiano will need about an hour of proper physical activity per day, which you can accomplish with a couple of long walks, jogs, or bike rides and a play period. You can start exercising a Spinone puppy at three months old by taking it on short (10-minute) leashed walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

A few things to keep in mind when exercising your Spinone: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. And regardless of age, a Spinone will need to be leashed when in public; this breed has a high prey drive, and will instinctively chase small animals--squirrels, birds, even small dogs--if not well-controlled. Even when exercising in your own yard, the area will need to be properly fenced to keep the dog from running off after interesting-looking critters. And finally: these dogs form deep bonds with their owners (particularly withe the family members who train them), and will respond much better to activities in which those people also participate. (Putting your Spinone out in the yard to exercise alone, in other words, won't do any good. The dog will be miserable, and will likely spend all its time barking and scratching at the door to be let back in!) Exercises you perform together are best.

Precautions aside, it's important to exercise your Spinone every single day. Dogs of this breed are fairly high-strung and needy, and if bored or restless they'll become nervous, hyperactive, disobedient, and destructive. Consistent exercise will be great for your Spinone's peace of mind--and for your own sanity as well! A few exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging/Bicycling: Two 30-minute walks (or 20-minute jogs or bike rides) per day is a good target
• Fetch: A Spinone will chase a ball or stick for hours
• Tug-of-War: Great indoor, rainy-day activity; use a rope or old towel
• Dog Park: Spinoni normally enjoy the company of other dogs
• Canine Sports: These dogs excel at obedience and agility trials, flyball, and other competitions
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Spinone access to one or more balls or chew-toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs need low to moderate care. Spinone Italiano shedding is fair, and the shedding is the same year-round (they don't shed more during shedding season, in other words). And these dogs aren't known to drool much--though they often collect lots of water in their facial furnishings when they drink it.

Spinoni have wiry, single-layered coats that shed moderately year-round--but since they have no undercoat, they don't "blow" their coats in the spring and fall. Occasional brushing and hand-stripping of Spinoni's coats should keep the shedding under control. Owners will need to vacuum the floors and use lint rollers on clothes and furniture from time to time to pick up stray hairs, but it won't be a constant need.

Though Spinoni don't really drool, their "beards" will often get wet when they drink water, and they tend to drip that water on the floor/ground when finished. Owners are advised to keep spare rags near their Spinoni's water bowls to wipe up the excess water. And if a Spinone is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care will be necessary.