THE SPINONE ITALIANO: ITS PAST IS ITS PRESENT
His oval-shaped skull with lateral slop- ing sides and prominent occipital crest is distinctive; with the minimal stop, long muzzle, front-facing rounded eyes and flat cheeks, and of course, the divergent planes, it forms the quintessential Spinone head. The Spinone’s neck is thick and conical, and relatively short, to support this long (4/10 of the height at the withers), well-sculpted headpiece as he trots, runs, and swims. HIS BODY - WHAT DOES GEOGRAPHY HAVE TO DO WITH IT? The Spinone Italiano has to be sure- footed, sturdy, and substantial to move through the terrain in which the breed was developed. The Spinone was often the only dog, so he had to be truly versatile. He could be used for carting as well as to hunt the mountainsides—we see this today in his strong front assembly. His almost-level underline supports the trotting gait that is typical for the Spinone. He hunts within gun range, checking in with his master frequently. While he may occasionally gal- lop between scents, he is fundamentally a trotter. The Spinone’s flexible, two-part topline and a solid loin can twist and turn and navigate thick thorn bushes and dense cover while he locates game for his master. The widely spaced scapulae add to his flex- ibility. His sloping croup helps with the steep climbs and descents he must make. The tail flows smoothly from his back, and is held down or out. There is no need to flag a distant handler with an upright tail; he’s right there. The hocks are long. BIG feet, combined with flexible pasterns and elbows, “THE SPINONE HAS TO BE SURE-FOOTED, STURDY, AND SUBSTANTIAL TO MOVE THROUGH THE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE BREED WAS DEVELOPED. THE SPINONE WAS OFTEN THE ONLY DOG, SO HE HAD TO BE TRULY VERSATILE.”
La mia Cinaofilia foto Lucio Scaramuzza 2015
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2023 | 307
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