Spinone Italiano vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison

Spinone Italiano vs Border Collie - Breed ComparisonSpinone Italiano is originated from Italy but Border Collie is originated from United Kingdom. Spinone Italiano may grow 14 cm / 6 inches higher than Border Collie. Spinone Italiano may weigh 19 kg / 42 pounds more than Border Collie. Spinone Italiano may live 8 years less than Border Collie. Spinone Italiano may have more litter size than Border Collie. Both Spinone Italiano and Border Collie requires Moderate maintenance.

History

spinone italiano - historyThis Italian breed has an ancient blood line tracing all the back to 500 BC. Originally bred to hunt, he is today a friendly, alert and loyal companion. He is intelligent enough to do any job you give him. The Spinone is thought to be one of the oldest gun dogs ever, but it is not entirely clear that he came from Italy. There are some who think he may have come from somewhere in these European countries – Italy, Greece, France, Celtic Ireland, Spain or Russia. However, most believe the breed came from Italy in the Piedmont area.

The most common thinking is that he is a descendent of the Spanish Pointer and/or the Russian Setter. One other theory is that setters from Greece were brought to the Roman Empire and crossed with a variety of Italian dog to make the coarse haired Spinone we see today. Then the French put in their claim that the breed is a cross of many French pointers.

The theory that counts might just belong to the Italians who believe the ancestor to the Spinone includes the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Pudelpointer and the Wirehaired Pointer. It was not until the 19th century that the name Spinone was officially given to the breed.

Before that it might have been known as a Spinoso and named after a thorn bus in Italy called the Spino. This bush was so thick and sharp that small prey animals learned to hide under it because the predators could not get through it. The Spinone however was able to fight through the briars with its thick, coarse hair and tough skin.

The breed almost became extinct during the second world war as before and after the hunters in Italy had started to use other breeds for hunting. Breeders also began to cross the Spinone with wire hairs like German Wirehaired Pointer, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and the Boulet.

The most popular hunting dog in Italy today is the Bracco Italiano while the Spinone is still used for hunting.

border collie - historyThe Border Collie originated in Northumberland and was used to herd livestock. He is particularly well known for his intense stare in controlling the sheep in his care. The name Border Collier wasn’t used until 1915. This was so that the dog could be registered as a separate breed together with other Collie breeds already registered.

Sheepdog trials have been held since 1873. The very name of this dog gives you an inkling as to his heritage, as the word ‘Collie’ refers to sheepdogs and comes from Scottish dialect. Today the Border Collie is recognized as the ultimate sheep-herding dog, with his amazing intelligence and herding skills. The Border Collie was recognized by the American Kennel Club in October 1995.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Working dog
Origin:
Italy
United Kingdom
Height Male:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
48 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 39 kg
74 - 86 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 37 kg
70 - 82 pounds
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 9 Years
10 - 17 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 11
4 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Spinone Italian Spinone Italian Griffon Italian Wire-haired Pointer Italian Coarsehaired Pointer
Scotch Sheep Dog, Sheepdog
Colors Available:
white with orange markings, white with brown markings, and brown roan with or without brown markings , orange roan with or without orange markings, solid white
White and Black, Chocolate and White, Liver and White or Blue Merle
Coat:
tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting. rough
Moderately long and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

spinone italiano puppy - descriptionThe breed is made up of strong, solid and muscled dogs that have an almost square build. His legs are made to travel any terrain and his head is long with an occipital that is pronounced and unique to the Spinone. They are said to have “human appearing eyes”, with a docked tail in countries allowing it and webbed paws.

Shorter hair covers their feet, head, legs, muzzle and ears. They have longer hair on their eyebrows and it is stiff, with soft hair on the muzzle and cheeks with a beard and mustache. It is a single coated dog though the coat is rough. They should have skin, lips, nose, and pads in colors that coordinate with their coats. For white dog it is a red-orange color, brown in dogs that are roan colored and dark red-orange in the orange and white colored dog.

border collie puppy - descriptionUtterly responsive, intelligent, alert and keen, the medium sized border collie loves nothing more than to be actively working. He requires both mental and physical stimulation. The ideal height for this very intelligent dog is 46 – 53cm and they weigh in at about 14 – 22kg.

People who have been to sheepdog trials can only marvel a this dog and his intense stare, moving the sheep to precisely where his master wants them. The dog has a moderately long and smooth coat with a dense topcoat, with soft weather resistant undercoat. Most common color is black and white but other colors such as chocolate and white, liver and white or blue merle are also seen.

There are a few Border Collies which have a single-colour coat. He has a long feathery tail and the ears can be either erect, semi-erect and in some instances, even dropped. He has brown eyes but sometimes with the Merle Border Collie you can get one eye or part of the eye which is blue.

Border Collies are playful, energetic dogs who just love living in homes where the family involves him in all their activities. Because he is so intelligent, he is demanding of his human family, wanting them to take notice of him and provide him with lots of clever games and sports. If he is left without involvement, he can become frustrated and destructive. That is why it is so important to choose your pet carefully.

These highly energetic dogs require owners who recognize this need and are prepared to provide him with lots of games, walks and runs.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness – yes they live kids.

2.Special talents – Digging and running.

spinone italiano dog - characteristics3.Adaptability – Young dogs need a lot of attention but they don’t need a lot of space. The young dogs are energetic while the adult dogs are laid-back. They need exercise every day and at least a small back yard.

4.Learning ability – good/stubborn/intelligent.

border collie dog - characteristicsThe Border Collie is such an awesome working dog breed, being of tremendous help to farmers. With their endless energy and stamina, given the chance he would want to be working all day. This medium sized dog will need a family where they are hard working and active just like him. He makes a wonderful pet with the right owners and if everyone is active in the family, he becomes your devoted soulmate.

He is sensitive to what his owner wants and that is also because he is highly intelligent. Shower your wonderful pet with lots of love, give him lots of attention and plenty of activities, and you’ll have an awesome friend for life.

Health Problems

spinone italiano puppies - health problemsThis is an ancient breed with not a lot of documented genetic issues, but it does have one deadly condition.

• Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is inherited and hits the puppies. Because it is a recessive gene both the mother and father must carry it for the puppy to inherit it. This makes it less likely than it would be otherwise. Puppies with the condition do not live more than a year. Since it is a genetic problem there is now a test for it that identifies carriers at a 95% accuracy rate.

• Like many other large breed dogs, they are susceptible to hip dysplasia. This can cause arthritis and/or lameness. There are now hip replacement surgeries available for this condition.

• Bloat is again common in large dogs and you need to watch for it with the Spinone. It can be deadly if not treated immediately. Let your dog rest quietly after eating. Do not let her exercise or play energetically after eating.

border collie puppies - health problemsIf your Border Collie is healthy, he can live to be 14 years of age and longer. There are one or two dog ailments that are more common in this breed, so it is wise to be aware of what can go wrong, although with good care it is highly unlikely.

Epilepsy

Primary epilepsy, known as idiopathic epilepsy can be seen in your dog before the age of 5 years, and although a genetic link in border collies has not yet been identified, idiopathic epilepsy is more prevalent in some breeds. Seizures in your dog are caused by electrical disturbances in the brain and treatment may be for life. While epilepsy in dogs can’t be cured, the condition can be managed with medication recommended by your vet and then he can lead a healthy life.

Hip Dysplasia

Collies are prone to developing hip dysplasia, which is an inherited condition with abnormal formation of the hip socket. For your pet it can mean lameness as well as painful arthritis. You’ll see your collie dog battling to rise after lying down. It is actually common in lots of dog breeds, but more so in larger breeds.

Collie eye anomaly

This is an inherited problem that can lead to your dog going blind. About 70 to 97% of collies in the UK and the United States are affected. Your veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the extent of the defect. It is common in the first year of a dog and can be be prevented if caught early.

Caring The Pet

spinone italiano dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – feed a high quality dog food for puppies of large breeds. Feed 3-4x day but don’t overfeed or let him exercise after eating even as a puppy.

2.Feeding the adult - feed a high quality dog food for large breeds. Feed 1-2X day but don’t overfeed or let him exercise after eating.

3.Points for Good Health – Active and strong

4. Games and Exercises – The Spinone is an active breed, but not a fast dog. In fact, they like to travel at a trot so it becomes a great dog for jogging or running with. They love to jump, track, hunt, hike. They do well with agility, retrieving, flyball, carting, being a therapy dog, a rescue dog and a watchdog.

Exercise

border collie dogs - caringThis is a dog that will need plenty of exercise and attention. He won’t do well cooped up in a tiny home. He’ll want lots of place to run and play and with his owners involved in his activities. It is unfair of any dog owner to buy a dog like this and then leave him so that he becomes distressed from being ignored.

Training

Do your dog a favor and see that he is socialized as a puppy and trained as he grows older. Once he has been trained, he becomes a super pet, obedient, sensitive and willing to please.

Grooming

Border collies shed throughout the year, and with Summer his shedding becomes a bit more. He will require a good brushing at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs and to ensure that the long hair doesn’t become tangled. He isn’t considered hypoallergenic and is regarded as a safe pet to have for people with allergies.

Feeding

This high energy working dog will require top quality food from the top brands if you intend feeding him from commercially produced dog food. He will certainly need raw meat added to this food from time to time to ensure you stave off skin problems such as rashes. You can also add in rice, meat and vegetables for variety to ensure his is getting in all the minerals and vitamins he needs. Fresh, cool water should always be available to him day and night.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Border Collie vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Border Collie vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  3. Border Collie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  4. Border Collie vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  5. Border Collie vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  6. Border Collie vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  7. Border Collie vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Sakhalin Husky vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  9. Catahoula Leopard vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  10. German Pinscher vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  11. Portuguese Water Dog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  12. Puli vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  13. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  14. German Spaniel vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  15. Canadian Eskimo Dog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  16. McNab vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  17. Porcelaine vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  18. Finnish Lapphund vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  19. Griffon Nivernais vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  20. Hokkaido vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  21. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  22. Pumi vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  23. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  24. Istrian Sheepdog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  25. Jamthund vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  26. Spinone Italiano vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  27. Spinone Italiano vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  28. Spinone Italiano vs Irish Setter - Breed Comparison
  29. Spinone Italiano vs Bracco Italiano - Breed Comparison
  30. Spinone Italiano vs Portuguese Pointer - Breed Comparison
  31. Spinone Italiano vs Perdiguero de Burgos - Breed Comparison
  32. Spinone Italiano vs Irish Red and White Setter - Breed Comparison
  33. Spinone Italiano vs Pachon Navarro - Breed Comparison
  34. Spinone Italiano vs Grand Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  35. Spinone Italiano vs Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  36. Spinone Italiano vs Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac - Breed Comparison
  37. Spinone Italiano vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  38. Spinone Italiano vs Spanish Pointer - Breed Comparison
  39. Spinone Italiano vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  40. Spinone Italiano vs Braque Francais (Gascogne Type) - Breed Comparison
  41. Talbot vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  42. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  43. Weimaraner vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  44. Spinone Italiano vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  45. Spinone Italiano vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Spinone Italiano vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  47. Spinone Italiano vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  48. Spinone Italiano vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  49. Spinone Italiano vs Akita - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds