The Spinone Italiano, or Italian Pointer, is Italy's all-purpose hunting dog. It is also sometimes referred to as a Griffon, since that name formerly designated the hunting dogs of all Continental Europe. Actually, the dog is a Pointer of the old school, that is, a rather slow-footed dog similar to those used before the era of wing shooting.
Almost every country in Europe has had its own type of Pointer for at least three centuries, and each developed the dog in its own locality according to climate, need, and changing times. The Piedmonte district of northwest Italy is primarily responsible for the development of the Spinone into an all-purpose dog. It is said to outrank all other Italian gun dogs as a highly efficient worker.
General Appearance: Vigorous, robust, squarely built dog of solid construction. Strong bone, well developed muscles. Rough coated. Has a kind, almost human expression.
Characteristics: An intrepid and untiring hunt, point and retrieve breed. Hardy and adaptable to any terrain including water. Remarkable capability for an extended and fast trot.
Temperament:Sociable, docile, affectionate and patient.
Head and Skull:The head planes when seen in profile are divergent. The skull is equal in length from occiput to gently sloping stop, and from stop to end of nose, which protrudes over the lips. Width of skull not to exceed half the total length of head, preferably less. A lean skull of oval shape, sides gently sloping downwards, rooflike. Well pronounced occiput. Well defined median furrow. Muzzle of good depth, in profile straight or slightly arched, square when viewed from the front. The upper lips, slightly rounded, covering the lower lips and reaching the corner of the mouth in a visible fold. Nose large, spongy in appearance with large nostrils.
Eyes:Kind, almost human expression. Large, open, almost round and set well apart. Neither protruding nor deep set and on the same frontal plane. Eyelids close fitting. Iris ochre, depth of colour compatible with coat colour.
Ears:Pendulous, triangular, slightly rounded at the tip, pliable and fine. Covered with dense hair mixed with longer, scattered hairs which become thicker at the edges. Carried low with little erectile power. Forward edge touching cheek. Set on level with corner of eye, long, but not more than 5cms below throat line.
Mouth:Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws, is preferred. Level bite tolerated.
Neck:Powerful and well muscled. Comparatively short in relation to length of head, showing a marked crest from the nape. Merging smoothly into the shoulders with unexaggerated dewlap.
Forequarters:Shoulders strong, muscular and well laid back. Top of shoulder blades set well apart. Upper arm well angulated, muscular and of equal length to shoulder blade. Forelegs, when viewed from front and side should be straight, with strong, oval bone and well defined tendons. Elbows turning neither in nor out. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Dewclaws should be present.
Body:Length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks equal to height at withers. Withers not too raised. Topline, which must not be exaggerated, slopes gently downwards from the withers and then rises to a slightly arched, broad, strong and well muscled loin. Croup then slopes slightly to set on of tail. Chest broad and deep, reaching at least to the level of the elbows, with prominent breastbone. Ribs are open, well sprung and carried well back. Minimal tuck up.
Hindquarters:The croup is broad, muscular and slightly sloping. Thighs long, broad, muscular and strong with good bend of stifle. Tendons clearly visible. Broad hocks well let down leading to strong rear pasterns, which when viewed from behind are vertical on extension of the buttock line. Dewclaws may be present.
Feet:Front feet large, round and compact with thick pads. Toes well arched, covered in dense hair. Hind feet showing all the same characteristics as the front feet but slightly more oval.
Tail:Previously customarily docked.
Docked: To half its length. Thick, particularly at the base, set on as a continuation of the croup and carried horizontally or down. No fringes.
Undocked: Thick, particularly at the base, set on as a continuation of the croup and carried horizontally or down. No fringes.
Gait/Movement:Free, relaxed and capable of fast trot. In motion the characteristic topline is maintained.
Coat:Skin is close fitting, thick and leathery. Coat coarse, dense and rather flat, 4-6 cms in length with a lack of undercoat. Thicker, longer hair forms eyebrows, moustache and beard. On backs of legs the hair is a rough brush, but never with fringes.
Colour:Only permitted colours are white, white and orange, orange roan, white and brown and brown roan. Lips, nose, eye rims, nails and pads should be pigmented according to coat colour, ranging from flesh pink in whites, through to brown in brown roans.
Size:Height: dogs 60-70 cms (23½ - 27½ ins); bitches 58-65 cms (22¾ - 25½ ins). Weight: dogs: 34-39 kgs (75-86 lbs); bitches: 29-34 kgs (64-75 lbs).
Faults:Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note:Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - October 2009
Almost every country in Europe has had its own type of Pointer for at least three centuries, and each developed the dog in its own locality according to climate, need, and changing times. The Piedmonte district of northwest Italy is primarily responsible for the development of the Spinone into an all-purpose dog. It is said to outrank all other Italian gun dogs as a highly efficient worker.
General Appearance: Vigorous, robust, squarely built dog of solid construction. Strong bone, well developed muscles. Rough coated. Has a kind, almost human expression.
Characteristics: An intrepid and untiring hunt, point and retrieve breed. Hardy and adaptable to any terrain including water. Remarkable capability for an extended and fast trot.
Temperament:Sociable, docile, affectionate and patient.
Head and Skull:The head planes when seen in profile are divergent. The skull is equal in length from occiput to gently sloping stop, and from stop to end of nose, which protrudes over the lips. Width of skull not to exceed half the total length of head, preferably less. A lean skull of oval shape, sides gently sloping downwards, rooflike. Well pronounced occiput. Well defined median furrow. Muzzle of good depth, in profile straight or slightly arched, square when viewed from the front. The upper lips, slightly rounded, covering the lower lips and reaching the corner of the mouth in a visible fold. Nose large, spongy in appearance with large nostrils.
Eyes:Kind, almost human expression. Large, open, almost round and set well apart. Neither protruding nor deep set and on the same frontal plane. Eyelids close fitting. Iris ochre, depth of colour compatible with coat colour.
Ears:Pendulous, triangular, slightly rounded at the tip, pliable and fine. Covered with dense hair mixed with longer, scattered hairs which become thicker at the edges. Carried low with little erectile power. Forward edge touching cheek. Set on level with corner of eye, long, but not more than 5cms below throat line.
Mouth:Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws, is preferred. Level bite tolerated.
Neck:Powerful and well muscled. Comparatively short in relation to length of head, showing a marked crest from the nape. Merging smoothly into the shoulders with unexaggerated dewlap.
Forequarters:Shoulders strong, muscular and well laid back. Top of shoulder blades set well apart. Upper arm well angulated, muscular and of equal length to shoulder blade. Forelegs, when viewed from front and side should be straight, with strong, oval bone and well defined tendons. Elbows turning neither in nor out. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Dewclaws should be present.
Body:Length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks equal to height at withers. Withers not too raised. Topline, which must not be exaggerated, slopes gently downwards from the withers and then rises to a slightly arched, broad, strong and well muscled loin. Croup then slopes slightly to set on of tail. Chest broad and deep, reaching at least to the level of the elbows, with prominent breastbone. Ribs are open, well sprung and carried well back. Minimal tuck up.
Hindquarters:The croup is broad, muscular and slightly sloping. Thighs long, broad, muscular and strong with good bend of stifle. Tendons clearly visible. Broad hocks well let down leading to strong rear pasterns, which when viewed from behind are vertical on extension of the buttock line. Dewclaws may be present.
Feet:Front feet large, round and compact with thick pads. Toes well arched, covered in dense hair. Hind feet showing all the same characteristics as the front feet but slightly more oval.
Tail:Previously customarily docked.
Docked: To half its length. Thick, particularly at the base, set on as a continuation of the croup and carried horizontally or down. No fringes.
Undocked: Thick, particularly at the base, set on as a continuation of the croup and carried horizontally or down. No fringes.
Gait/Movement:Free, relaxed and capable of fast trot. In motion the characteristic topline is maintained.
Coat:Skin is close fitting, thick and leathery. Coat coarse, dense and rather flat, 4-6 cms in length with a lack of undercoat. Thicker, longer hair forms eyebrows, moustache and beard. On backs of legs the hair is a rough brush, but never with fringes.
Colour:Only permitted colours are white, white and orange, orange roan, white and brown and brown roan. Lips, nose, eye rims, nails and pads should be pigmented according to coat colour, ranging from flesh pink in whites, through to brown in brown roans.
Size:Height: dogs 60-70 cms (23½ - 27½ ins); bitches 58-65 cms (22¾ - 25½ ins). Weight: dogs: 34-39 kgs (75-86 lbs); bitches: 29-34 kgs (64-75 lbs).
Faults:Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note:Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - October 2009
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
Breed History & Standard
The Griffon Vendéen hounds have gone through over 400 years of evolution to produce the griffon coated French hounds of today: the Grand Griffon Vendéen, Briquet Griffon Vendéen, Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
Rough-coated hounds were introduced into the Celts' Gaul (modern day France) by the Romans. Julius Caesar conquered the Celtic Gaul in 1st century B.C. Under Roman rule, the Gauls kept hunting packs for sport, developing the French passion for hunting. In France, hunting developed into a grand scale becoming the renowned "Sport of Kings". Charles IX (1550-1574) wrote in his 1570 book, "La Chasse Royale," that all hounds descended from four "Royal Races." The Chien Fauve de Bretagne, Chien de St. Hubert, Chien Gris de St. Lois and Chien Blanc du Roi. The Aristocracy helped to develop the French hounds by crossing their own hounds with the "Royal Races," establishing hunting dogs of distinct breeds such as: d'Artois (Artesiéns), de Bretagne (Bretons), de Gascogne (Gascons), de Normandie (Normands), de Poitou, de Saintonge (Saintongeois) and de Vendee (Vendéens). As these breeds evolved, geographical isolation, climate, local conditions and desired use dictated differing type, size and even color. Hounds, such as the St. Huberts, could carry genes of the low-set type, and throwbacks to the shorter leg resulted. Thus three types of each breed emerged. The Chiens d' Ordre standing 23 inches (58.5 cm) or more was used for stag, boar and wolf hunting, The Chiens Briquets, standing between 15-23 inches (38-58.5cm) was used singly or as a couple to hunt smaller game such as hare and roe deer. The Chiens Basset, standing under 15 inches (38 cm), was used for hunting hare, rabbit and occasionally fox. Deer and boar hunting had long been the preserve of kings and nobles, who could afford the ride on horseback following swift, large hounds. Smaller game required a slower hound, so the poorer huntsman could follow on foot, and the best way to restrict speed was to shorten length of leg. The shortest-legged hounds at the time were interbred and, gradually, a useful and practical low-to-the-ground hound evolved. The low set hound became know as the "basset" from the Latin, meaning 'low.' Du Fouilloux was apparently the first to specifically use the term in the book, "La Vénerie". Fouilloux recognized two types of basset, the crooked front and the straight front. In general, the crooked-legged bassets were short-coated and went to ground better. The Straight-legged hunted above ground as well as worked terrier-like. These were mostly rough-coated, the early Basset Griffons.
Thus we see how a French hound breed could either be full size, briquet or basset, for example Grand Griffon Vendéen, Briquet Griffon Vendéen and the Basset Griffon Vendéen. The Basset Griffon Vendéen could be further subdivided into the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
General Appearance:Well-balanced, medium height, rough coated hound. Slightly longer than height at withers, with straight forelegs. A friendly and intelligent looking hound with noble bearing.
Characteristics:A strong, active and courageous hound, possessing great stamina, with a good voice freely used.
Temperament:Happy and outgoing. Independent and a little stubborn, not easily agitated, yet willing to please with firm handling.
Head and Skull:A noble head, carried proudly. Skull domed, without heaviness, elongated and not too wide. Well cut away under the eyes. Occipital bone well developed. Stop clearly defined. Muzzle square at its extremity, noticeably longer than from stop to occiput. Bridge of nose slightly roman. Nose protruding, well developed with wide open nostrils. Solid colour. Black except in white/lemon, white/orange coats where brown is tolerated. Lips well developed, just covering the lower jaw and giving the front of the muzzle a square shape. Well covered with long hair, forming good beard and moustache.
Eyes:Large, dark and oval, showing no white, with a friendly, intelligent expression. Haw not visible. Long eyebrows, standing forward but not obscuring eyes.
Ears:Supple, narrow and fine, covered with long hair, folding inwards, ending in an oval shape, reaching to just beyond the tip of the nose; set on low, not above the line of the eye.
Mouth:Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck:Long and strong, set into well-laid shoulders; thicker at the base; without dewlap.
Forequarters:Shoulders clean and well laid back; elbows close to the body, never turning out. Forelegs straight, thick and well boned. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Knuckling over is unacceptable.
Body:Back of good length, without exaggeration, with level topline. Slight rise over solid, well-muscled loin. Prominent forechest, brisket broad and deep. Ribs moderately rounded, well let down to elbow and extending well back. Flanks rather deep, belly never tucked up.
Hindquarters:Well boned, strong and muscular with moderate bend of stifle. Heavily muscled thighs with well defined second thigh. Hocks turning neither in nor out.
Feet:Large and tight padded. Pads firm and solid. Nails strong and short.
Tail:Rather long. Set on high, thick at the base, tapering gradually, well furnished with hair, carried proudly sabre-like or slightly curved but never too far over the back or bent at the tip.
Gait/Movement:Free with great drive. Front action straight and reaching well forward; hind action easy and elastic, hocks turning neither in nor out.
Coat:Rough, of moderate length, with a flat structure, never silky or woolly, fringing not too abundant; thick undercoat. The coat may be tidied, but over-trimming or stylising should be penalised.
Colour:White, with any combination of lemon, orange, sable, grizzle or black markings. Tricolour.
Size:Height at withers: 38-45cm, tolerance 1 cm up down
Faults:Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note:Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - October 2009
Basset Hound
History & Standard
Instantly recognizable due to its big, heavy body, short legs and long ears, the Basset Hound has proven itself to be a multi-purpose dog that excels in conformation, obedience, tracking, field trialing and pack hunting. The breed is known for its strong hunting instinct and, if given the opportunity, will chase or follow a scent willingly. Because of its gentle, non-confrontational nature, the Basset can be used for hunting in packs or alone.
A Look Back
The Basset Hound was originally developed in France as a trailer of small game that hunters could follow on foot. Bassets continued to achieve very notable popularity during the reign of Emperor Napoleon, and in 1880 Queen Alexandra kept Basset Hounds in the royal kennels. Marquis de Lafayette brought Basset Hounds, known for their impeccable sense of smell, to the United States as a gift to President George Washington to use in his hunting expeditions.
General Appearance: Short-legged hound of considerable substance, well balanced, full of quality. It is important to bear in mind that this is a working hound and must be fit for purpose, therefore should be strong, active and capable of great endurance in the field.
Characteristics: Tenacious hound of ancient lineage which hunts by scent, possessing a pack instinct and a deep melodious voice.
Temperament: Placid, never aggressive or timid. Affectionate.
Head and Skull: Domed with some stop and occipital bone prominent; of medium width at brow and tapering slightly to muzzle; general appearance of foreface lean not snipy. Top of muzzle nearly parallel with line from stop to occiput and not much longer than head from stop to occiput. There may be a small amount of wrinkle at brow and beside eyes. In any event skin of head supple enough as to wrinkle slightly when drawn forward or when head is lowered. Flews of upper lip overlap lower substantially. Nose entirely black except in light-coloured hounds when it may be brown or liver. Large and well opened nostrils may protrude a little beyond lips.
Eyes: Lozenge-shaped neither prominent nor deep-set, dark but may shade to mid-brown in light coloured hounds. Expression calm and serious. Light or yellow eye highly undesirable.
Ears: Set on low, just below line of eye. Long; reaching only slightly beyond end of muzzle of correct length, but not excessively so. Narrow throughout their length and curling well inwards; very supple, fine and velvety in texture.
Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck: Muscular, well arched and fairly long with pronounced but not exaggerated dewlap.
Forequarters: Shoulder blades well laid back; shoulders not heavy. Forelegs short, powerful and with great bone; elbows turning neither in nor out but fitting neatly against side. Upper forearm inclined slightly inwards, but not to such an extent as to prevent free action or to result in legs touching each other when standing or in action; forechest fitting neatly into crook when viewed from front. Knuckling-over highly undesirable. Some wrinkles of skin may appear on lower legs, but this must on no account be excessive.
Body: Long and deep throughout length, breast bone prominent but chest neither narrow nor unduly deep. There should be adequate clearance between the lowest part of the chest and the ground to allow the hound to move freely over all types of terrain. Ribs well rounded and sprung, without flange, extending well back. Back rather broad and level; withers and quarters of approximately same height, though loins may arch slightly. Back from withers to onset of quarters not unduly long.
Hindquarters: Full of muscle and standing out well, giving an almost spherical effect when viewed from rear. Stifles well bent. Hocks well let down and slightly bent under but turn neither in nor out and just under body when standing naturally. Some wrinkles of skin may appear between hock and foot, and at rear of joint a slight pouch of skin may be present, but on no account should any of these be excessive.
Feet: Large well knuckled up and padded. Forefeet may point straight ahead or be turned slightly outwards but in every case hound always stands perfectly true, weight being borne equally by toes with pads together so that feet would leave an imprint of a large hound and no unpadded areas in contact with ground.
Tail: well set on, rather long, strong at base, tapering, with moderate amount of coarse hair underneath. When moving, stern carried well up and curving gently, sabre-fashion, never curling or gay.
Gait/Movement: Most important to ensure that the hound is fit for purpose. Smooth, powerful and effortless action with forelegs reaching well forward and hind legs showing powerful thrust, hound moving true both front and rear. Hocks and stifles never stiff in movement, nor must any toes be dragged.
Coat: Smooth, short and close without being too fine. Whole outline clean and free from feathering. Long hair, soft coat or feathering highly undesirable. Skin is supple and elastic without any exaggeration.
Colour: Generally black, white and tan (tri-colour); lemon and white (bi-colour); but any recognised hound colour acceptable.
Size: Height: 33-38 cms (13-15 ins) at withers.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - October 2009
