Italian Spinones are large dogs, most weighing 52 to 96 pounds and standing 22 to 27 inches tall.

Italian Spinones come in several color variations, including white, orange roan, white and orange, and brown roan. They may have orange or brown markings as well.

Italian Spinones stop growing between 12 to 18 months of age. They will continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about two years old. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will encourage healthy growth during their early development.

Yes, Italian Spinones shed moderately from their wiry coat. While they don't shed as heavily as some double-coated breeds, expect shedding throughout the year.

Yes, Italian Spinones are more than good family dogs – they’re marvelous. This friendly, relaxed pup thrives on social interactions with their family. They love being outdoors and will be happiest as part of an active family who will have no trouble meeting their daily exercise needs.

Yes, Italian Spinones are relatively easy to train, given their intelligence and eagerness to please. That said, their stubborn streak can be a challenge for the novice trainer. With this breed, positive reinforcement and consistency are key. Also, keep in mind that even if a certain dog breed is known to be easy to train, training any dog requires a long-term commitment.

Yes, Italian Spinones are good with cats, especially if they are socialized early and thoughtfully introduced. Each dog (and cat) has their own preferences and temperament, of course, but you can feel fairly confident introducing your Italian Spinone to your cat.

No, Italian Spinones do not bark a lot. This pup is more likely to bark to alert their people to something rather than to delight in the sound of their own voice. As with any dog, they can be discouraged from barking as frequently with proper training and exercise.

Yes, Italian Spinones are good with kids. With their patient, easygoing, and gentle dispositions, Italian Spinones make wonderful playmates for children. 

As with any breed, supervise interactions between children and your Italian Spinone to keep everyone safe and happy. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

No, Italian Spinones do not have a lot of health problems. They are generally healthy dogs, but, like all breeds, can be prone to certain health issues.

Italian Spinones can be prone to certain health issues, including:

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an Italian Spinone, have them checked out by a vet to see if they are prone to dysplasia.

• Eye issues: Cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision; ectropion, where the eyelid folds outward.

• Cerebellar ataxia: A neurological disease that affects a dog’s balance and coordination. Otitis externa: inflammation of the ear canal.

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus: a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen.

No, Italian Spinones are not hypoallergenic. (No dog truly is!) While their wiry coat sheds less than some other breeds, they still produce allergens through their skin, saliva, and urine. If you or someone in your household is concerned about allergies, spend time with an Italian Spinone before bringing one home for good.

Yes, Italian Spinones need grooming. Brushing this pup each week will keep their coat healthy, untangled, and clean. This breed also tends to have quite a bit of drool, so keep a towel on hand!

Italian Spinones live 10 to 12 years. Like all breeds, individual lifespans will vary based on genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and quality of veterinary care.

Italian Sponones are from the Lombardy and Piedmont regions of northern Italy. One of the oldest hunting dog breeds, the Italian Spinone’s roots stretch back to ancient Italy.