Italian Spinone

Feeding your Italian Spinone properly is crucial for their health and wellbeing, particularly given their susceptibility to bloat. Work closely with your Australian veterinarian to establish a feeding plan that meets your dog's individual needs based on their age, weight, activity level, and overall health.

Choose a high-quality commercial dog food that meets nutritional standards and is appropriate for your Spinone's life stage - puppy, adult, or senior. Some Spinoni can be picky eaters, so you might need to experiment to find a food your dog genuinely enjoys. Remember that their sensitive nature means stress can affect their appetite, so maintaining a calm, consistent feeding routine is important.

To reduce the risk of bloat, implement several key feeding strategies. Feed your Spinone twice daily rather than one large meal, spacing meals about 12 hours apart. Avoid exercise for at least an hour before and after meals to allow proper digestion. Consider using slow-feeder bowls, puzzle toys, or snuffle mats to encourage slower eating - this not only helps prevent bloat but also provides mental stimulation.

Interestingly, elevated feeding bowls, once thought to prevent bloat, are now discouraged as they may actually increase the risk. Keep your Spinone's food and water bowls at ground level.

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. Given their gentle nature and food motivation, treats can be excellent training tools, but moderation is key to preventing weight gain.

Fresh, clean water should always be available, though you'll quickly learn that your Spinone's magnificent beard acts like a sponge! Keep a towel handy near the water bowl - many Australian Spinone owners swear by having "beard rags" strategically placed around the house for post-drinking cleanup sessions.

The Italian Spinone's "natural" look might seem low-maintenance, but don't be fooled - achieving that perfectly tousled appearance requires regular attention and some specific techniques that differ from typical dog grooming.

Their dense, coarse coat grows to 1.5-2.5 inches long and lacks an undercoat, yet they still shed moderately year-round. The key to proper Spinone grooming is hand-stripping rather than scissoring. This technique involves removing dead hair at the root to maintain the coat's proper wiry texture and weather-resistant properties. Many Australian owners find it worth investing in professional grooming sessions to learn this technique or to have it done properly every few months.

Regular brushing with a slicker brush helps prevent matting and removes loose hair, though you'll still find Spinone fur on your furniture and clothes - it's just part of life with this breed! Check their coat regularly for burrs, twigs, and debris, especially if they spend time in Australian bushland or coastal areas.

The famous Spinone beard requires special attention and patience. This facial hair acts like a sponge, soaking up water and collecting food particles that can harden into what owners affectionately call "beard cement." Keep beard wipes or a damp cloth handy for post-meal and post-drink cleanups. Some Australian owners find that trimming the beard slightly helps with hygiene, though it should maintain its natural, tufted appearance.

Their droopy ears need weekly cleaning to prevent infections, particularly important in Australia's humid coastal areas. Use a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaner and watch for signs of irritation like redness or odour. Those bushy eyebrows occasionally need trimming if they start irritating the eyes, but maintain their natural, shaggy character.

Regular nail trims, dental care, and skin checks complete the grooming routine for these charmingly scruffy companions.

Training an Italian Spinone is like negotiating with a wise, slightly stubborn friend who has their own ideas about how things should be done. These intelligent dogs are perfectly capable of learning - they just might ask "why?" before complying with your requests.

The key to successful Spinone training is understanding their soft, sensitive nature. They respond beautifully to positive reinforcement but will shut down completely if training becomes too harsh or demanding. Think of it as a collaborative effort rather than a command-and-control situation. Use treats, praise, and patience, and remember that some days your Spinone might simply decide "not today, maybe later."

Their independent heritage means they were bred to think for themselves while hunting, which translates to a dog who won't blindly follow orders. This can be frustrating for owners expecting robot-like obedience, but it's also what makes them such engaging companions. Early socialisation is crucial - expose your Spinone puppy to different people, animals, and environments during their first 16 weeks to build confidence and good social skills.

Exercise-wise, Spinoni are refreshingly "low octane" compared to other sporting breeds. They need about an hour of daily activity to stay healthy and happy, but they won't drive you crazy demanding constant stimulation. A good walk, some backyard playtime, or a swim at one of Australia's dog-friendly beaches will satisfy most Spinoni.

These dogs excel at activities that engage their natural hunting instincts - nose work, tracking, and dock diving are perfect outlets. They also enjoy hiking Australian trails, though always keep them leashed or in securely fenced areas, as their hunting instincts can override recall training when they catch an interesting scent.

Remember, mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for keeping your intelligent Spinone content and well-behaved.