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.