Spinone Italiano vs Nenets Herding Laika - Breed Comparison

Spinone Italiano vs Nenets Herding Laika - Breed ComparisonSpinone Italiano is originated from Italy but Nenets Herding Laika is originated from Russia. Spinone Italiano may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than Nenets Herding Laika. Spinone Italiano may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Nenets Herding Laika. Spinone Italiano may live 4 years less than Nenets Herding Laika. Spinone Italiano may have more litter size than Nenets Herding Laika. Spinone Italiano requires Moderate maintenance. But Nenets Herding Laika requires High 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.

nenets herding laika - historyThere is a large variety of Laika dogs as the word is almost a generic term for a type of Russian hunting dog. They are found in Northern Russia and Siberia and there are several recognized by the Federation Cynologique International including the East Siberian Laika, the Russian European Laika, and the West Siberian Laika. These Siberia Laika are crosses between the aboriginal dogs of Siberia and northern Russia. The word Laika means a barking dog and comes from the word meaning to bark. These laikas are working dogs, hunting pointers that were bred specifically for their barks.

All the dogs in this category are loyal and affectionate. They are hard workers and hunters/herders and sled dogs. Of the official Laika groups including the Nenets Herding Laika, there is the Karelo-Finnish Laika, the Northeasterly Siberian Laika, the West Siberian Laika, The Russian European Laika, Eastern Siberian Laika. The Laika are wary of strangers, noisy and rowdy.

Nenets Herding Laika

The Laika breed known as the Nenets Herding Laika is also called the Reindeer Herding Laika. The breed is pretty ancient, developed by the Nentry tribe at about the same time that the nomads were developing the Samoyed. Like the Samoyed breed, the Nenets Herding Laika herded Reindeer. The artic breed originates from Russia and can be used for transportation and hauling as well.

While their temperament and history are very much the same as the Samoyed, they are recognized as separate breeds. However there are many aficionados of both breeds believe that the Samoyed and the Nenets Herding Laika are the same breed. For many the Samoyed are simply a white version of the Nenets Herding Laika.

The Nenets Herding Laika is also know as the Samoyed Laika, so you can see how close if not the same, these two breeds are. The Nenets Herding Laika was bred by the Nenet peoples. The Samoyed is all white while the Nenets is any variation of black, gray, piebald, red, white, sable and brown.

The dogs herd and guard reindeer, keeping the herd together and moving them from one pasture to another. They will also stay with a stray reindeer until they are found. They will do this whether they have food or water. They will bark to try to bring the people’s attention to the lost reindeer. They are also an excellent hunting and retrieving, swimming dog.

The Nenets are also known as Yurak Samoyeds and they are the largest group of Samoyedic peoples today. They live on both sides of Russian Ural Mountains in northern Russia and the Yamal Peninsula. They move large herds of reindeer to the winter lands south of the Artic Circle from the north – about 600-900 miles. It is believed that the Herding Laika originated with this group of people but spread beyond them. They were shipped to far northeast Siberia to be bred and shared with reindeer herding tribes there.

There is a longhaired or rough coated variety and a shorthaired variety. The Nenets consider the work routine of both varieties the same, but they believed that the shorthaired version was a more ancient than the longhaired version.

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.

nenets herding laika puppy - descriptionThis is a medium sized dog , muscular and strong. Slightly smaller than the Samoyed, the Nenets Laika weighs about 40-55 pounds and is 18 inches tall. The ears are typical Spitz ears and the tail is carried up over the back. The Nenets Herding Laika can have gray, piebald, black or tan coats and some can be solid white and look just like a Samoyed. The coat is a thick, double coat with the undercoat very wooly.

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.

Children friendliness

nenets herding laika dog - characteristicsyes

Special talents

mushing

Adaptability

Adaptability not good in apartments or smaller spaces. Needs a fenced in yard.

Learning ability

High but stubborn and independent

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.

nenets herding laika puppies - health problemsFor the most part the Nenets Herding Laika is a healthy breed and very hardy. They do however have some propensities for some illnesses and conditions.

Diabetes Mellitus – can be treated with medication and is usual seen in middle age -after 7 years of age.

PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy – Slow loss of vision and this is a genetic disease – leads to blindness.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can lead to lameness or arthritis.
  • Skin diseases are possible – autoimmune disease the is idiopathic.

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.

Feeding the puppy

nenets herding laika dogs - caringBe careful that your pup doesn’t grow too fast. They are open to injuries if they grow too fast. Low calorie with protein and not a lot of fat. half a cup of high quality medium breed dog food 3X a day.

Feeding the adult

1 1/2 cups high quality medium breed dog food.

Points for Good Health

athletic and agile

Games and Exercises

At leaset a walk or two every day. Don’t get overheated as they are used to cold weather. Would be good at agility and herding exercise.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Italy
Russia
Height Male:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
48 - 58 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 39 kg
74 - 86 pounds
16 - 29 kg
35 - 64 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 37 kg
70 - 82 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 9 Years
12 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 11
3 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Spinone Italian Spinone Italian Griffon Italian Wire-haired Pointer Italian Coarsehaired Pointer
Nenets Laika or Reindeer Herding Laika, Samoyed Laika
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
grey, black or white , tan
Coat:
tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting. rough
The harsh outer coat is straight, and the abundant woolly undercoat
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
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. Nenets Herding Laika vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  26. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Nenets Herding Laika vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  28. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Nenets Herding Laika vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  30. Nenets Herding Laika vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. Nenets Herding Laika vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Nenets Herding Laika vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Nenets Herding Laika vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  34. Nenets Herding Laika vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  36. Nenets Herding Laika vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  37. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  38. Nenets Herding Laika vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  39. Nenets Herding Laika vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Nenets Herding Laika vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  41. Nenets Herding Laika vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  42. Nenets Herding Laika vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Nenets Herding Laika vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  44. Nenets Herding Laika vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  45. Nenets Herding Laika vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Nenets Herding Laika vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  47. Nenets Herding Laika vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  48. Nenets Herding Laika vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  49. Nenets Herding Laika vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds