Spinone

FCI:

Spinone Italiano - Group VII - Pointing Dogs, Section 1 .3.Continental Pointing Dogs, «Griffon type».

General Appearance:

It's naturally balanced, docile and patient, friendly and affable, affectionate and very social dog. When it is nature it is active and independent dog however at home it behaves calmly. With other dogs it gets well, it does not seek conflict. With other small pets when it knows from early age and under the widest socialization it gets well. It likes children and it is willingly playing with them. It loves the closest contact with the owner and its family it is the happiest if it  can be with them together.

Training/Behaviour:

Must be consistent, but in any case kind. If the training is conducted properly, i.e. without hard or harsh coercive methods, it means, it learns quickly and willingly. It has a very good memory, it is obedient and it appears evident effort to understand the man. It is a reliable hunting dog suitable for hunting in all types of hunting grounds. It excels remarkable persistence and it has a fine sense of smell, working tirelessly and effectively, in the bushes and cold water. By nature it is an excellent retriever. It is reflected in the work of extraordinary intelligence and sensitivity by itself, it adapts to the situation and respect the instructions of the hunter. It needs a lot of movement and it likes staying in the countryside, even in bad weather. As a true hunting dog, however, it is always ready to go for the game, and should therefore be in a fenced plot loosely be viewed only if the fence is in perfect condition. On an outing dog must be for the same reason rather on a leash.
Grooming standard is prohibited, however, if the dog or bitch take part at dog show, the coat still need to pay some attention.

Body:

This is a dog, sturdily built, strong and stout with a massive bone and powerful muscles. Body frame is almost square. The height at withers, male is 60-70 cm for female is from 58 to 65 cm. Weight of body, male is from 32-37 kg for female is from 28 to 30 kg.

Length of head is equal to 4/10 of height at withers, width measured in orbits level should be less than 1.2 as a whole length. Muzzle should be as long as its skull. The muzzle must be viewed from the divergent imaginary extension of the upper line of the skull. The skull is viewed from above an oval-shaped when viewed from the front has the shape of modest gabled roof. The occipital protuberance is very significant, not excessively arched brow. The frontal slope (stop) is barely noticeable, very gentle.

Nasal bridge may be flat or slightly arched form then light down faced. Jaws should be strong. The dental arches at each other perfectly primes. The bite can be either scissor or pincer. Cheeks are of dry muscular, protruding sideways. The eyes are large and well open. The iris is ochre coloured. Ears have a roughly triangular shape and should be long enough to attain a maximum of 5 cm below the lower edge of the neck.

The neck should be strong and muscular, clearly separated from the occipital parts of the head. Flows into the shoulders, neck to form the loose skin small adjoining double dewlap. Withers may not be prominent. Loin slightly arched and wide thanks to massive muscle. Croup is wide, long, well muscled and sloping. The tail should be strong, especially at the base. It is carried horizontally or be suspended. Hair on the bottom side constitutes a "brush" the length of 15-25 cm.

The chest is so deep that it reaches at least to the elbow joints. It should be wide. It has the largest diameter in the middle of its height and towards the sternum significantly narrows, but without a bottom formed a sharp keel. The bottom line is the body in the chest almost horizontal in the game abdomen slightly rises.

The forelegs are seen from the front perfectly straight and perpendicular to the substrate. When viewed from the side must be in the position of the forearm vertical and angled pasterns slightly. The elbows must not be turned in or out. Forearm bones are strong, the attitude perpendicular to the substrate as seen from the front and from the side. Tight, round with well-knit, well-arched toes are covered with short thick hair, and even toes.

The hindquarters must be viewed from behind parallel, perpendicular to the substrate when viewed from the side well angulated. Hocks should be very wide of the parties. Hock: Strong and lean, its length is equal to the distance from the base of the ankle. When viewed from either party, they must always be perpendicular. On the inner side of them may be for simple dewclaws. Feet should be similar to the forequarters, but are more oval shape.

Skin adjacent to the skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue must be strong and dry. Its pigmentation may be different by the colour of the coat. Hair on the body is long 4-6 cm, on the nasal bridge, elsewhere on the head and ears, the front sides of the legs and feet shorter. Longer hair is forming above the eyes and eyebrows to muzzle moustache and beard. On the body, the hair is coarse, hard, closed and rather flat, without undercoat.

Colouration may be pure white, white with orange patches or small spots, white with brown patches or small spots. Preference is given to brown tint "Capuchin robes."