Description: The Spinone Italiano is also known as the Italian Griffon, this is a robust dog, which is large with a long head. When viewed from the side, the muzzle is square and the same length as the back of the skull. The nose has large, wide nostrils, and is fleshy in color in the white dog, darkening in the white and orange dog, brown in the brown and roan dogs. Spinone Italiano’s teeth meet in a scissors bite. With triangular ears that hang down. The eyes look human. The height of this breed is 22½-27½ inches. Weight is 61 to 85 pounds.

The Spinone Italiano’s chest is deep and broad, extending at least to the dog’s elbow. The tail is docked, in countries that allow it, to about half its natural length. The coat is harsh and is very thick, fits well, and comes in solid colors; White and orange, solid white, orange roan, which can come with or without orange spots, white with brown spots, and brown roan with or without brown spots. The coat is 1½ to 2½ inches long on the body, while the legs, head, and muzzle are slightly shorter. A recognized characteristic of this breed is the eyebrows, and these have longer and stiffer hair, which highlights the trait, along with the mustache and beard. The life expectancy of this dog is 12 or more years.

History: This dog is still quite rare in America, the Spinone Italiano in its native country of Italy is known as the all-purpose hunting dog. There is no clear evidence of how this dog was created, but it is believed to be a cross between French Griffons and White Mastiffs along with Italian Setters. With many of the Italian dogs, this is an ancient breed. It was nearly lost in World War II, but has returned with a lot of work from Italian breeders. The Spinone Italiano breed has become the most popular hunting dog in Italy to date. The AKC recognized this breed in 2000.