How to Groom a Spinone Italiano

The Spinone Italiano is an ancient Italian breed which goes back to at least 500 B.C. Spinones are especially talented at hunting, pointing and retrieving. Their coats are wiry and weather-resistant to protect them from the cold water and swamps which they may encounter while hunting. They need a full grooming every 8 to 12 weeks and a general grooming once per month.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Slicker brush
• Metal comb
• #7 blade
• Clippers
• Scissors

1. Brush your Spinone Itanliano at least once per week with a slicker brush and a metal comb. The coat should be harsh, wiry and close-fitting to the body. Some say that these dogs groom and clean themselves in a similar manner to a cat, which means they don't need a great deal of bathing. The desired length of the coat is 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches.

2. Strip away dead hair by pulling it out of the coat rather than cutting it. You can also hand strip, but you should only attempt it if you're a professional. Hand stripping is a very specialized skill. If you only wish to clip, rather than strip, use a #7 blade on the lower head, body and tail. Don't clip hair around the rib cage and make sure that it blends naturally with the rest of the clipped coat.

3. Tidy up the hair on the legs with scissors or clippers, but don't cut the feathering on the back of the front legs. This breed also has a beard and eyebrows which you should leave natural.

Tips & Warnings

• Spinone Italianos are dedicated and serious workers who are committed and serious while hunting, but are extremely affectionate and friendly when at home with their family.
• This breed has a life expectancy of at least 12 years and possibly more.
• Show dogs should have a relatively natural appearance. Consult show regulations for exact details.
• Italian Spinones are susceptible to hip dysplasia and a genetic disease Cerebellar Ataxia, an abnormal gait caused by a problem in the brain.