Vizsla vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Vizsla vs Spinone Italiano - Breed ComparisonSpinone Italiano is originated from Italy but Vizsla is originated from Hungary. Spinone Italiano may grow 42 cm / 17 inches higher than Vizsla. Spinone Italiano may weigh 9 kg / 20 pounds more than Vizsla. Both Spinone Italiano and Vizsla has almost same life span. Spinone Italiano may have more litter size than Vizsla. Spinone Italiano requires Moderate Maintenance. But Vizsla requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Gun dog
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Italy
Hungary
Height Male:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
21 - 24 cm
8 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 39 kg
74 - 86 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 37 kg
70 - 82 pounds
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 9 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 11
4 - 6
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Spinone Italian Spinone Italian Griffon Italian Wire-haired Pointer Italian Coarsehaired Pointer
Hungarian Vizsla Hungarian Pointer Magyar Vizsla Yellow Pointers
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
red
Coat:
tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting. rough
single
Shedding:
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

spinone italianoThis 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.

vizslaThe Hungarian Vizsla or Magyar Vizsla is a hunting dog developed in Hungry. It is the smallest of the pointer-retriever type breeds. They are loyal family dogs and hunt fowl and upland game. It was rare for a hunting dog to also be a companion and family dog, but the Vizsla is. The first time the Vizsla came to the attention of anyone outside its area was 1357 in a publication written for King Louis I of Hungary. They were kept mostly by barons and warlords and preserved without any interbreeding for centuries.

Through all the occupations, revolutions and world wars, the Vizsla survived. Still there were some points in their history where they were almost extinct. In the 1800’s English Pointers and German Shorthaired Pointers almost replaced them. After World War II they were almost extinct again with only a dozen or so left in the country.

Breeders across Hungry brought them back again. They were also bred in Serbia, Slovakia, Austria and Romania. They came to the states after the war and quickly were embraced. The Vizsla Club of America was formed so that they could be recognized by the American Kennel Club. This happened in 1960 and the Vizsla quickly became a champion in several AKC specialties.

The Weimaraner, the German Shorthaired Pointers, the Wirehaired Vizsla and other pointers were developed from the Vizsla and then used to re-establish the breed following World War II.

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.

vizsla puppy - descriptionThe golden/rust colored Vizsla is easily distinguished from other breed. They are a medium sixed pointer with a lean frame and light on their feet. They have long ears that are silky to the touch and well defined muscular structure. Their nose is a red color blending in with their coat color. Their eyes and nails also blend in with the color of the coat.

For the most part they are some shade of golden-rust, but today there are also some solid rust dogs as well. Officially the coat can be russet gold, copper-brown, or dark sandy gold. It cannot be mahogany red or pale yellow. The coat is dense, smooth, short and without an undercoat. They have docked tails as well.

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.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness yes with socialization

2.Special talents playful and highly intelligent quintuple AKC champion

3.Adaptability high energy need space

4.Learning ability highly intelligent

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.

vizsla puppies - health problemsThe Vizsla have few health issues but the ones they do have are quite serious. They include:

• Cancer (Mast cell, Lymphoma and Hemangiosarcoma) – as will most dogs it can be treated but is still likely to kill the dog.

  • Canine epilepsy and seizures. This can be treated.

• Hip dysplasia is rare, but cases have been noted. Can cause lameness and/or arthritis.

• Sebaceous adenitis – rare skin disease found more often in cats or birds than in dogs.

  • Seasonal allergies.
  • Ear Infections

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.

vizsla dogs - caringFeeding the puppy This is a very active dog and he need a high calorie diet as a puppy. Feed 4-5 cups in 3-4 smaller meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult Feed the adult high calorie food if you exercise her enough. Feed 3 cups of food twice a day.

3.Points for Good Health stamina, speed and endurance.

4. Exercise They love to run but don’t’ overdo it until they are at least 18 to 24 months old. They stay very playful their entire lives and excel at AKC competitions. They are good at agility, field trials, scent work, obedience, conformation, dock diving, rally, lure coursing, track and barn hunt.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Vizsla vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Vizsla vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Vizsla vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Vizsla vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Vizsla vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Vizsla vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Vizsla vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Vizsla vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Vizsla vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Vizsla vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Vizsla vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Vizsla vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Vizsla vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Vizsla vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Vizsla vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Vizsla vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Vizsla vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Vizsla vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Vizsla vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Vizsla vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Vizsla vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Vizsla vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Vizsla vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Vizsla vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Vizsla vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison