In Aesop’s ancient fable about the hare and the tortoise, the flashy, fast, headstrong rabbit lost the race to the slower but steady turtle. The moral demonstrated the virtues of a methodical, well-thought out approach to life. In the canine sporting world, flash and speed certainly play an important role, but it can also be said that wisdom, caution and determination are just as critical. When hunters must depend on their dog as a full-fledged partner in the pursuit of game, that dog must display all its inherent, instinctive qualities in a dependable manner at all times. The versatile Spinone, an ancient Italian breed descended from the Griffon, more than fills the bill.

In antiquity, identification of this distinct type of Griffon can be traced back as far as 2,500 years to 500 B.C. Reliable documentation of the breed is available from the Italian Renaissance onward. In every instance, consistent mention has been made of pointing dogs with rough, bristled hair and incredible physical stamina that hunted with careful, deliberate precision for their masters rather than for themselves.

By the 15th century, the Bacco Spinoso was well-respected in Italy and other European countries. Along with other continental hunting dogs, the Spinone was bred for versatility. It could perform any task required during the hunt, including tracking, pointing, retrieving and even bringing down quarry, whether on land (in mountains and forests) or in fast-running or marshy water.

World War II had a devastating effect on the Spinone, and British sporting breeds had begun to displace this once-popular gundog. Few litters were produced, and the breed went into steep decline. During the 1950s, a serious attempt was made to revitalize the Spinone. Through systematic crossbreeding, the Spinone re-emerged in its full historical image and functional capability, claiming its heritage and its future by its sure and steady performance as a hunter and companion.

Structural Soundness
The Spinone is both a marvel and a machine. Designed as an efficient and effective hunter, the physical conformation of the dog must match its function. The Spinone’s conformation and working standards illustrate just how strong the marriage of structure and natural ability is in the breed.

With nature providing the basic blueprint, Spinone breeders molded the dog mentally and physically to produce an intelligent field partner. Although the dog is perfectly capable of thinking for itself, its bond with its hunting companion -- and for that matter, its family -- ensures the utmost cooperation.

This dog not only wants to interact with humans, but has to in order to perform its job properly. In the field and at home, this urgency translates into an intimate relationship between dog and owner. The sociable Spinone thrives when interacting with other dogs and companion animals, as well as with responsible adults and children.

Often described by breed experts, serious hunters and pet owners alike as easygoing, enthusiastic, kind and sensitive, this breed is a fast learner. With a high aptitude for activities ranging from obedience to therapy, the Spinone is dedicated to getting the job done.

As with many intelligent creatures, an occasional streak of stubbornness can be channeled positively by the trainer or handler who provides a reason or a motivation for the task to be done. Once it understands this, the dog will accept it as part of the necessary routine, whether incorporating it into retrieving, heeling or playing a game at home.

The traits a Spinone exhibits in the hunt also serve to reflect this breed’s mental attitudes and physical aptitudes that judges will see in the show ring. The Spinone gaits at a purposeful trot, following a diagonal pattern of straight lines, allowing the dog to make full use of its superb sense of smell. Body movement is matched by side-to-side tail movement. As the dog picks up the scent of game, the trot slows until the final steps before pointing become excessively deliberate.

The rough-and-tumble environment the Spinone is designed to hunt is echoed in the breed’s appearance. The Spinone, so named for the pino -- a thickly growing, seemingly impenetrable thorn bush -- has tough, thick, close-fitting skin and rough, dense, dry hair only 11/2 to 21/2 inches long. This highly adaptable sporting dog is comfortable in all conditions of weather and terrain. Skin and coat texture help define the ideal breed type for field sport, as well as for breed competition.

Other physical characteristics key to breed type include a square build, substantial bone, deep chest and a long head with low-set, hanging ears. One particular aspect of the Spinone topline is truly unique among sporting breeds. Jim Channon, longtime breed expert and current president of the Spinone Club of America, describes the unusual slope, evident from below the withers to the well-muscled hindquarters, as “a dip at the 11th vertebra. This dip accounts for the rear to be as high as the withers. It also helps keep the dog’s head up so that it can air scent as well as ground track. The Spinone’s ability to keep an eye on the prey and the hunter sets the breed apart from other pointing dogs.”

The distinctive trot that defines Spinone movement also differs from the speedier gaits of sporting breeds. Those who know the breed well describe it as sturdy. With powerful but relatively short musculature, the dog is built to cover ground steadily and consistently. From the forward thrust of its neck, through its very specific angulation, to its back propulsion, the Spinone has been developed as a trotter rather than a galloper. Channon believes that judges will be truly fascinated by the Spinone.

It’s All In the Eyes
Although body and movement are essential elements of its type, the Spinone is known as a head breed. The profile, skull, muzzle, lips, nose and teeth all have properties unique to the breed. But the physical configuration of the eyes and the almost human expression are hallmarks of the Spinone. At first glance, the Spinone might seem to have a gruff, somewhat grumpy appearance, accentuated by the stiff hair forming heavy brows over the dog’s eyes. More of the stiff hair frames the lips in a mustache and tufted beard. But from out of that hairy exterior stares a pair of surprisingly humanlike eyes, expressing intelligence and sensitivity.

The standard calls for large, well-opened, almost round eyes that are set widely apart. Within the acceptable color range, darker dogs should have darker eyes, and lighter dogs should have lighter eyes. True to a sporting function, clearly visible and appropriately pigmented eyelids should be close-fitting to protect the eye from environmental debris. The end result is that the eye is placed and shaped in such a way as to maximize its use in the hunt. As a happy adjunct, the eye also sparkles and shows off the dog’s personality.

A soft, sweet expression reinforces the companionable and social nature of this breed. At work, the Spinone gets down to business, and its expression reflects the serious nature of the task. At play, the Spinone displays its clownishness from the stubby wag of its tail to the visible amusement in its eyes. The confidence gained from proper socialization is also evident in the eyes of a Spinone.

Marrying Motivation and Training
Show-ring flash is not instinctive to the Spinone. Rather, this dog is a methodical worker who always gets its bird or its ball. This does not mean that the breed is devoid of impressive traits that are just as striking. Many sporting breeds are so highly attuned to the excitement of the hunt that little else holds much importance in their lives. In essence, they come to life for and during the hunt. Again, Spinone steadiness sets the scene and the tempo for this breed.

Happiest when in the company of its family, the Spinone displays a steady temperament, making it highly suitable for family interaction. At the same time, not every household may be equipped to handle the breed. Although moderate exercise and activity can satisfy its physical needs, the average Spinone may send an overly fussy housekeeper around the bend. The scruffy beard, so useful a tool in the heat of a hunt, can drip water around the house, and the bristly coat goes through an annual shedding.

However, the loyal and lovable nature of this breed wins the appreciation and devotion of all who come in contact with it. For a hunter, calmness is an unexpected quality. As a family companion, this personality trait helps in all aspects of socialization and training. Naturally affectionate and trusting with people it knows, the dog will exhibit some caution with strangers; early and consistent socialization helps to combat any tendency toward shyness. The Spinone should not be shy, says Channon.

Capable of displaying a high degree of intelligence, the Spinone still requires human interaction to bring out its best abilities. Gentle training based on positive motivation will erase any sign of stubbornness and reinforce the breed’s easygoing character. So used to working in partnership in the field, the Spinone is not geared to be a protection breed.

Eager to please and barking only for good reason, the Spinone remains youthful in appearance, temperament, style, spirit and ability for all its long life of 12 or more years. Bothered by few health problems, this breed has an aptitude for just about every performance event and can excel at such canine endeavors as search and rescue, assistance work, backpacking and carting. As a sporting dog, the Spinone receives top marks in tests of natural hunting ability.

The Spinone Club of America (SCOA) offers the prospective owner, interested fancier, breeder and judge a wide variety of information about the breed. Supporting the approximately 1,600 Spinoni Italiani and their owners in the United States, the club has a Web site (www.spinone.com), an active rescue committee, and a health committee that has produced an in-depth health report. Training and sporting tips are also available.

Ask any SCOA member about their Spinone, and you’ll be the recipient of a steady stream of enthusiastic facts, figures, stories and pictures. Whether thrilled by the accomplishments of a Spinone tracking in the field or heartened by the adoration of a Spinone sitting on a sofa, the fans of this ancient breed are steadfast in their love for the breed.

This article appeared in the September 2000 issue of the AKC GAZETTE.