What Is A Spinone Doodle?

The Short Answer is:

Spinone Italianos are a breed of dog that originates from the Piedmont region in Italy. Their lifespan is extremely long. It was mentioned in Ancient Roman history accounts that pointers with rough coats existed as early as 300 BC. In these accounts, Spinone Doodles were used as hunting dogs and were very adept at dealing with harsh terrain. The name of this breed comes from the Italian term Bracco Spinoso, which means “prickly pointer.”

In this article you will know the answer to the query “What Is A Spinone Doodle?“.

Have you recently met a Spinone Doodle and are curious about this breed? Are you looking for a new pet? 

The Spinone dogs make excellent pets because they are very energetic and funny to the point of being clownish. They are adorable and very energetic. 

In addition to needing plenty of exercises this breed is low maintenance so Spinone Doodle dogs are suitable for people with little or no time for grooming.

Heres everything you need to know about Spinone Doodle.

Where does the Spinone Doodle come from?

If you were to judge by its name you’d think its a mix but this is actually a very old breed. 

Spinone Italianos are a breed of dog that originates from the Piedmont region in Italy. Their lifespan is extremely long. It was mentioned in Ancient Roman history accounts that pointers with rough coats existed as early as 300 BC. In these accounts Spinone Doodles were used as hunting dogs and were very adept at dealing with harsh terrain. The name of this breed comes from the Italian term Bracco Spinoso which means “prickly pointer.” Its hard to tell whether their original name is derived from their wiry coat or from the fact that they were excellent at flushing out the game from thorny shrubs.

The dogs made their way from Italy to France Spain Greece and even faraway Russia. 

Spinone numbers dropped dramatically during World War II but Spinone lovers mounted a massive rescue operation and established a club in the 1950s.  

The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2000.

There might be some confusion regarding the term Spinone Doodle since many sources refer to this breed as Spinone Italiano. We can easily understand why this might be confusing. 

Spinone Doodles look very much like Labradoodles or Labradors although they are bigger and chunkier. Some Spinone Italiano dogs are also crosses of poodles and Spinone Italianos which seem to inherit many of the characteristics of the former. 

Key characteristics of the Spinone

Spinone dogs belong to the sporting group and they are indeed quite sporty in nature according to the American Kennel Club. 

The coat is available in a variety of colors like white brown roan orange roan and orange & white but you also might find some gorgeous black ones.

• Height: 22-27 inches (55-68cm)
• Weight: 61-85 pounds (27-38kg)
• Life Expectancy: 12+ years

Key traits of the Spinone Doodle

Spines are very energetic and their physical characteristics make them very effective guard dogs. They may not be guard dogs but they do have a distinctive bark that can deter strangers. Furthermore although they are very friendly with their immediate family they are quite cautious and shy by nature so an intruder would have a difficult time approaching them. 

Dogs of the Spinone breed are friendly and docile making them easy to train. Furthermore they are very intelligent so you would not have to spend many hours teaching them a new command. 

As they are playful they make great pets for a family with children. Dogs are very attentive and quite tolerant of children and everyone will laugh at the dogs antiques. When it comes to any breed early socialization with other animals is very important if you wish to avoid conflicts later on.

Being sociable is a good thing but if left alone for many hours your dog might suffer from separation anxiety.

Despite the fact that they tend to bark at strangers they are not very noisy dogs. You would not be woken up at night by their barking so they’re a good choice if you live near neighbors. 

Is this the right dog for you?

A house with a large yard would be the perfect environment for Spinone dogs as they do well in apartments. Exercise is rated as a high need so they need plenty of room to roam. Keep your garden fenced in with tall and secure fences if you have one. It does not even matter if a bitch in heat or a barking dog on the other side of the fence tempts them to jump. Spinone Dogs are great jumpers. The problem is not only jumping; they are also great at digging. The last thing you want is to let a Spinone loose in your flower garden. A fence around the flowers and vegetables in the garden and a place where the dog can dig is the least you could do. 

When you cannot provide them with that you should make up for it by taking them on long walks or to a dog park. This will help them burn off some steam. Your dog should always be leashed not only because they’re energetic but also because they enjoy hunting as their ancestors did. Its also possible that they might mistake a small animal they have never encountered before for prey and start chasing it. 

A Spinone needs at least two long walks each day not just a leisurely stroll. Spines are active dogs who enjoy running. This makes them the perfect running or jogging companions.

You might also take them swimming occasionally. Their favorite pastime is swimming and they do not mind if the water is a little chilly. They have a thick coat that protects them from the cold. If you do not want to get wet stay away from the dog when he gets out of the water and shakes off the water. 

Spines might not be the right choice for someone who lives in an urban area and can only walk up and down a paved street with lots of people. Since the dog could not consume his energy outside he might cause havoc inside. Alternatively your dog might get bored and start chewing everything he can get his paws on.

If on the other hand the dog is completely exhausted after playing vigorously in the park he will sleep like an angel and will not disturb you or your neighbors. 

How to train a Spinone?

Spinone Dogs are smart and easy to train as mentioned above. Unfortunately they are also independent-natured dogs and may easily become distracted from training. Since the dog cannot be expected to sit in one place for long periods use training routines that encourage the dog to move around. If you want to get their attention you must be persistent and use rewards. It does not get any better than a nice treat to make a dog eager for training.

The dogs can easily be house-trained but obedience training must be insisted upon. They are naturally curious and sometimes they find some places or objects so interesting that they feel compelled to explore them. Though obedience is crucial as if your dog decides to do a bit of ‘hunting’ you will be unable to keep up. For this reason we recommend keeping your dog on a leash outside. Nevertheless you should always allow your dog to blow off some steam in a fenced enclosure. 

How much grooming does a Spinone need?

Dogs from Spinone rank very low in terms of grooming needs. They do not shed much and their coat does not need much trimming unless it bothers them in some way. You should bathe them regularly. Donot forget to brush your dog occasionally even if its just to remove the food and debris that might get trapped in its coat. 

Regular maintenance is necessary for the ears teeth and nails. Because dogs are friendly enough you might be able to do this at home. However if your dog is too energetic and cannot sit still while you trim the nails you might want to leave it to a professional. Taking him to a groomer isnot such a big expense since you do not have to do this very often. Several times a year should suffice. 

What are the main health problems affecting a Spinone?

Dogs of the Spinone breed are known to be healthy. Unlike brachycephalic dogs they do not suffer from many health problems. Though they are not prone to any specific disease they’re not immune to a number of conditions including:

• Elbow / Hip  dysplasia
• Bloat
• Cerebellar ataxia (inherited disease)
• Allergies
• Cancer
• Cataracts
• Dermatitis
• Epilepsy

What are the costs of having a Spinone Doodle?

There is no difference between the costs of these dogs and those of other dogs. The following expenses will have to be taken into account:

• Food (they are not picky eaters)
• Veterinary care (mainly routine exams)
• Insurance (optional of course)
• Providing grooming (at least once a few months if you cannot do it yourself)
• Toys and equipment (make sure he has lots of toys to keep him entertained when you’re not around)

On average your expenses will be between £80 and £90 a month.  

Where can I get a Spinone?

First look for local shelters. Adopting a dog is always a good idea and you might be lucky to find a purebred one although this breed is not quite common.

To avoid puppy mills buy one from a reputable breeder. Choose breeders who can provide parentage certificates and conduct regular tests on their animals. Infecting your puppy with parasites or getting a sick puppy is not a good idea. This is not only costly but also heartbreaking.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.