The Spinone is an ancient Italian hunting breed, a member of the HPR (Hunt Point Retrieve) sub group of Gundogs.

He has a unique fast trotting action, capable of covering a large area whilst hunting.

His scenting ability is excellent and his thick skin and tough wiry coat enable him to enter any cover. It is amazing to watch a large Spinone negotiate a thick wall of brambles. To see a Spinone pointing game is always a highlight during a shoot.

This breed will willingly enter water or cover to retrieve shot game.

All in all this makes him a very good all round gundog.

Shaun and I have always been involved in the working side, taking a team of up to three dogs out on a shoot, picking up and beating.

I started out on the Brocket Hall estate with Lucca; my first Spinone and then Shaun and I joined other local shoots, with Tarka, Nina and Ccesca. Nando has now taken over as our main working dog. All our Spinoni, with their excellent ability to locate birds in thick cover have been the ideal dogs for our local shoots.

One day we would like to progress to working tests.