Spinoni are fun-loving dogs that are great with children and other dogs. If you’re considering a Spinone, you probably want to know something about the barking tendencies of the breed. We have two Spinoni now so I have first-hand knowledge of our dog’s barking tendencies. But, I also wanted to see what other owners experience with their Spinoni. So, I decided to do some research into whether others consider Spinone to be frequent barkers.
A Spinone Italiano does not bark a lot compared to other breeds. They have a relatively low tendency to bark when they are trained and well-exercised. They are very social and do not react to many situations with barking.
If you are thinking about adding a Spinone to your family, you will be pleased to know that they do not bark a lot. They will bark when they consider it appropriate and will communicate in other ways to let you know what’s on their mind. Read on to learn more about the Spinone Italiano communication style.
Spinoni are not known for barking excessively. Much of their limited barking can be directly related to their breeding and natural temperament. Most dogs of this breed will only bark occasionally if they need attention or they sense something is wrong.
Dogs don’t just bark when they are excited, although it can seem that way when they are trying to get your attention. They also bark when they are frightened, lonely, surprised, or irritated.
Most Spinoni owners will say that their dogs only bark when there’s a reason. The owner may not always agree with the reason for the barking, but to the Spinone, there is still a reason.
Spinoni love being with their family. As a result, they may not like to be left alone for long periods and can suffer from separation anxiety. A Spinone who has separation anxiety might bark or howl when left alone or when separated from his owner. This kind of barking or howling is persistent and doesn’t seem to be triggered by anything except being left alone.
Puppy training, socialization, crate training, and teaching your puppy how to enjoy being alone all help to lessen the chances of your Spinone developing separation anxiety and the barking that goes with it.
A Watchdog, Not A Guard Dog.
Spinoni are much too friendly and laid back to be considered a guard dog. However, they are bred to be alert hunters and will definitely react to unusual sounds around the house. Most will consistently bark to alert you to strangers or people at your door.
Most Spinoni are all too happy to bark to announce the arrival of the mail, an Amazon delivery, or a passing garbage truck. So, while they don’t make a good guard dog, they do have a respectable bark to make them a good watchdog.
Spinoni are friendly, people-oriented dogs. Some will bark as a way of greeting people and other dogs they know. Our Spinoni are particularly fond of our grandchildren and are excited to see them when they come for a visit. They will bark to say hello and let the kids know they’re ready to play.
This type of bark is easily recognizable because it is usually accompanied by tail wagging, and jumping around. Like all other reasons for barking, this can be reduced through training.
Now that we know about the situations where Spinoni do bark, let’s take a look at why they don’t bark more.
Bred To Be Quiet In The Field
Genetics and breeding can play a big role in a dog’s tendency for barking. This is especially true of the Spinone.
According to Dr. Stefanie Schwartz, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist based in Orange County, California, the frequency of a dog’s bark can vary from breed to breed, and it all depends on how their ancestors were bred.
“Barking was emphasized in some breeds more than others,” says Dr. Schwartz. She explains that this trait was likely “selected by our ancestors to help guard human settlements.”
The Spinone Italiano has been bred as a hunting companion for centuries and is one of the oldest breeds to be used as an all around gundog able to hunt, point, and retrieve.
A big part of their job is to locate and stalk the prey for the hunter. They can’t accomplish this through excessive barking and howling like a hound probably would. They use the scent of prey in the air to locate a general place where birds may be hiding.
The closer they get, the slower and more cautious they become. Very carefully they will inch towards the place they can smell the prey and then they freeze, silent until their owners arrive.
Easy Going Nature
Aggressive, territorial dogs will often bark at people and other dogs during interactions. This behavior may occur at windows, doors, behind fences, and in the car. Aggressive dogs may also behave this way at dog parks and other public settings.
No doubt you’ve seen this happen as you walk by certain houses in your neighborhood or pass by an aggressive dog at the park.
The Spinone Italiano breed is well known for having a calm, easygoing temperament. This is another reason, they don’t bark that much. They are not aggressive towards people or other dogs. Because of their calm, friendly nature, they don’t feel the need to bark at people and other dogs they come into contact with.
Poorly socialized dogs are much more likely to react with fear or aggression to unfamiliar people, dogs, and experiences. The more time you spend socializing your Spinone, the happier you will both be.
Spinoni Are Big Talkers
Even though Spinoni may not bark a lot, they communicate in other ways. They are known for being very vocal. They have opinions on a lot of topics and aren’t shy about sharing them. Spinoni owners refer to a particular sound they make as the Chewbacca noise. It’s a great description of the sound they make. They even look a bit like a Wookie.
Our dogs make the Chewbacca noise all the time. I always get the feeling they’re saying, “Hey, look at me!”. Sometimes, it’s a little muffled because they’re doing it with a toy in their mouth. Regardless, it always makes me smile.
Here’s a great example of a Spinone “talking” to a playmate. It also shows their gentle nature when playing with smaller dogs.
Spinone Sign Language
Spiononi aren’t limited to vocalization when they want to communicate with you or another dog. They’re also good at talking with their paws. Considering the size of their big, hairy paws, it rarely fails to get your attention.
They use this form of Spinone sign language to get your attention when you’re within striking distance. It’s usually a sort of slap that means “Pay attention to me”. If they combine it with the Chewbacca noise, it probably means “Pay attention! I’m talking to you!”
I get the “Spinone slap” most often when I’m sitting on the couch watching TV with our female Spinone. If I get involved in what I’m watching and stop petting her for a bit, she’s quick to remind me with a swipe of her paw.
Spinoni don’t limit their smacks to just people. They’ll use it to let another dog know things like, “I’m laying here, find your own spot”. Or “I was playing with that toy”. It’s not an aggressive move, just a gentle message to let the other dog know what’s going on.
Excessive Barking Could Mean Another Problem
Spinoni are not considered excessive barkers. If your Spinone starts to bark a lot more than they normally do, it could be an indicator of another problem. Try to determine the reason for the barking and take steps to address the source.
If the source of the barking doesn’t appear to be environmental, you may need to start with a visit to your veterinarian. Your vet can rule out medical reasons for the behavior and recommend some possible solutions.
Final Thoughts
One of the things that makes Spinoni such great pets is that they don’t bark a lot. Of course, all dogs are different, but most dogs of this breed will only bark occasionally if they need attention or they sense something is wrong. They will let you know if something is off.
Make sure to train and socialize your puppy to lessen the chances of them developing separation anxiety and the barking and other negative behavior that goes with it.
You won’t miss the barking at all because they will keep you entertained with their other chatting and Chewbacca noises.
