Spinone Italiano vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison

Spinone Italiano vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed ComparisonSpinone Italiano is originated from Italy but Kerry Blue Terrier is originated from Ireland. Spinone Italiano may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Kerry Blue Terrier. Spinone Italiano may weigh 21 kg / 47 pounds more than Kerry Blue Terrier. Spinone Italiano may live 6 years less than Kerry Blue Terrier. Spinone Italiano may have more litter size than Kerry Blue Terrier. Both Spinone Italiano and Kerry Blue Terrier 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.

kerry blue terrier - historyThe Kerry Blue Terrier hails from Ireland, with the name of the dog coming from a place known as County Kerry, and Blue being the color of the dog's coat.

The Kerry Blue was originally bred to control rats, rabbits and otters and was actually a working dog for a host of different jobs.

It was in 1922 that the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club was founded and recognized by the AKC in 1924.

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.

kerry blue terrier puppy - descriptionThe Kerry Blue is a small dog standing at between 44 to 51cm and weighing anything between 15 and 18kg. He has dark eyes which give him that typical alert Terrier expression.

The ears are small and are carried up before flopping down. The high-set tail has always been customarily docked, giving him a compact, jaunty appearance but these days, the tail tends to be left long, curling somewhat over the back.

He has a coat which is quite wavy or curly and comes in different shades of grey or blue, while the puppies are born black, gradually becoming more blue. The dog is considered to be hypoallergenic as it doesn't shed a lot.

Temperament:

Kerry Blue Terriers are strong willed dogs, but with training and socialization they respond well to instructions such as sit, come, lie-down and stay. As a Terrier breed he is feisty, lively, strong-willed, stubborn, independent and impulsive. They are loyal and affectionate towards their owners and are amicable with children and pets in the home.

Training and socialization develops a balanced attitude around his human family, other animals in the home and around strangers. He is an active dog too so whether he lives in the city or the countryside, he will require a lot of exercise as he is full of life.

You can’t just put him in the backyard and forget about him. He is an intelligent, social dog who will only do well when he is counted in as a family member.

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.

kerry blue terrier dog - characteristicsWhen you bring a Kerry Blue Terrier into your home and your life, you’re going to have a jaunty, lively, comical pet in your home, as he certainly has the reputation of making people laugh.

He is such an intelligent dog too and has no difficulty with learning new tricks. He takes his role of watchdog seriously too, as he loves his human family and wants to be looking out for them.

When you bring a Kerry Blue Terrier into your home, you can be assured of jolly good fun from a true canine companion.

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.

kerry blue terrier puppies - health problemsYou aren’t going to be running to the vet often with your Kerry Blue as he is a healthy dog breed. However there are some common dog diseases that even the most healthiest of dogs can succumb to.

Always feed your dog the very best food there is so that he has a strong immune system that can fight off disease.

Entropion:

This is the inward rolling of the eyelid which can irritate the dog’s eye and even cause vision loss. Surgery can treat the problem.

Cancer:

Every dog can succumb to cancer. You may well find a lump or even detect a sore that won’t heal. Treatments for cancer can include medicines, chemotherapy and surgery.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an inherited condition to do with the hip joint. It can result in pain for your dog and even lameness. When you discover your pet no longer wants to play and he battles to get up after lying down, he will need to go to the vet. Dogs with this debilitating disease should never be bred.

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.

Grooming:

kerry blue terrier dogs - caringThe Kerry Blue’s coat doesn’t shed a lot but it’s a curly coat that will require brushing at least twice a week. He will also require clipping and trimming if you want to keep the coat manageable.

Diet:

Nutrition is a key part of a healthy Kerry Blue Terrier and instead of just plonking down a bowl of dry kibble every day, make his mealtimes something to look forward to, more sustaining and more interesting.

Top quality kibble is good every now and then but try mixing in some cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables occasionally as well as a little bit of raw meat. You will be rewarded with bright eyes, a wet nose, bushy, wagging tail and less trips to the vet.

Make sure there is always a supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Exercise:

Active and lively, your Kerry Blue will need lots of robust exercise – a daily walk as well as ball games which ensure his muscles are kept strong and toned. Not only that, this exercise is important for keeping him fit and also mentally alert.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Italy
Ireland
Height Male:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
44 - 51 cm
17 - 21 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
44 - 51 cm
17 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 39 kg
74 - 86 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 37 kg
70 - 82 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 9 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 11
5 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Spinone Italian Spinone Italian Griffon Italian Wire-haired Pointer Italian Coarsehaired Pointer
Irish Blue Terrier
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
blackish, grey, Blue
Coat:
tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting. rough
Soft, wavy to curly, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Spinone Italiano vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. Spinone Italiano vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  3. Spinone Italiano vs Irish Setter - Breed Comparison
  4. Spinone Italiano vs Bracco Italiano - Breed Comparison
  5. Spinone Italiano vs Portuguese Pointer - Breed Comparison
  6. Spinone Italiano vs Perdiguero de Burgos - Breed Comparison
  7. Spinone Italiano vs Irish Red and White Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Spinone Italiano vs Pachon Navarro - Breed Comparison
  9. Spinone Italiano vs Grand Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  10. Spinone Italiano vs Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  11. Spinone Italiano vs Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac - Breed Comparison
  12. Spinone Italiano vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  13. Spinone Italiano vs Spanish Pointer - Breed Comparison
  14. Spinone Italiano vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  15. Spinone Italiano vs Braque Francais (Gascogne Type) - Breed Comparison
  16. Talbot vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  17. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  18. Weimaraner vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  19. Spinone Italiano vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  20. Spinone Italiano vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Spinone Italiano vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Spinone Italiano vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  23. Spinone Italiano vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  24. Spinone Italiano vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  25. Schnauzer vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Kerry Blue Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  34. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  35. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Jagdterrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Lakeland Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Old English Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Scoland Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Skye Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Welsh Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds