THE SPINONE ITALIANO: ITS PAST IS ITS PRESENT
THE SHOW RING When we put the Spinone in the show ring, in that small, flat space, he looks very different from the other Sporting breeds. Many Sporting dogs were bred to work in flat, grassy fields (think England); some are more versa- tile, but, still, they were not bred for this specific region in Italy where the peasants hunted. Most pointing breeds in the Sporting ring are gallopers, not trotters. Their heads, carried on upright necks, narrow build, short croups, long thighs, and short hocks support this movement. Next to these other breeds, the Spinone stands out—he moves no less beautifully, but not in the same way as other Sport- ing breeds. The Spinone’s loose, elastic, sure-footed move- ment is very different from the animated, head-high trot of other Sporting dogs. The connection of the Spinone to the earth is palpable in its movement, which is breathtaking to the true Spinone aficionado. The movement of a Spi- none strung up on its lead with its head high, and with the lighter bone, tuck-up, and short hock of other breeds, may seem more familiar and look less out of place in the Group ring, but this is not the breed type we are striving to preserve. A softer coat might be more pleasant to touch, but it will never be found on the thick skin that is needed for the Spinone to do its job. We are at risk of losing our way with our dear old friend, the Spinone, but we can find our way back. To protect and preserve the breed, we must remember how and why it got here in the first place. There are many crucial and distinct elements that tie this puzzle of a dog together, each of them necessary to make a whole Spinone. The Spinone is truly a masterpiece, and deserves the time and depth of study required to understand him.
let the Spinone handle steep terrain, large rocks and rubble, and deadfall. In marshes, they help him swim through muddy waters with a minimum of splashing. His well-sprung ribs house deep lungs and give him stamina for his job. The Spinone was built for rough terrain! In extreme temperatures on land and water, his unusually thick skin and single, harsh coat protect him so that he is undeterred in his quest to find game and retrieve it. A longtime Italian breeder once described him as fatto per la palude , made for the swamp. WHY SO GENTLE? After that very long day of fulfilling his purpose and bringing home food for his family, he joins his family and their friends and their children. His kindness and gentleness are necessary for the social environment in which he lives. His soft, gentle, and melting expression reflect the tempera- ment that is so cherished by his family, his breeder, and his native country. There he is—the Spinone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Suzanne Hudson is originally from Texas, where she grew up hunting Bobwhites with her father and brother. The family had Pointers, Setters, and Brittanies until they fell in love with the German Wirehaired Pointer, and that is what they hunted with for years. In the meantime, Suzanne bought an English Springer Spaniel and started in the show world. She won her first Group One at age 16, and not long after she stepped away from showing. In the 1990s, Suzanne bought her first Parson Russell Terrier (after swearing she would never have one!) and started showing again. When the family’s last German Wirehair left them, Suzanne saw a photo of a beautiful orange roan Spinone Italiano puppy. She was mesmerized by her, so, of course, she bought her and fell head over heels in love with the Spinone. After 16 years of owning, showing, and breeding the Spinone, Suzanne is still just as much in love with them as she was in the very beginning. Her dogs have won the National Specialty, BOB at Westminster, many Groups, and several BISS. Suzanne has bred ten litters of Spinoni and she has produced many champions. In the years
that she has been doing this, Suzanne has been very fortunate to be able to meet with breeders all over the world and to import some very special puppies. These dogs and experiences have certainly enlightened her and have helped her to continue to learn and understand this unique breed. Suzanne’s experiences working with the Judges Education Committee for SCOA have broadened her understanding and perspective as well, giving her a lot of insight into the difficulties of explaining and understanding this out-of-the-box breed. And what a wonderful breed it is! Suzanne’s fondness for them has no measure and she feels so fortunate to have owned and loved so many of them.
308 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2023
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