Otterhound vs Spinone Italiano

An Otterhound
Photo: Canarian
A Spinone Italiano
Photo: Timberdoodle Kennels, Ron & Pat Rosinski (User:Rrosinski)

Side by side

Otterhound
Spinone Italiano
Adult weight
36–52 kg (80–115 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 32–37 kg (71–82 lb); females 28–30 kg (62–66 lb)2
Height
No sourced figure
Males 60–70 cm; females 58–65 cm2
Lifespan
No sourced figure
Median 11.9 years3
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
12 months, both sexes4
Group
Scent hounds5
Pointing dogs2
Coat
Wire or harsh coat5
Wire or harsh coat2
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
Plenty
Health
No sourced figure
Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely); Outward-drooping eyelid (far more likely)6
Class
Family
Field

Which suits you

Size
The Otterhound is larger on average: about 44 kg (98 lb) as an adult, against 32 kg (70 lb) for the Spinone Italiano.
Temperament
They differ most on handler demand (Otterhound: needs an experienced owner; Spinone Italiano: suits a first-time owner) and on voice (Otterhound: very vocal; Spinone Italiano: quiet).
Alike
Both are rated the same on intelligence: easy-going, simple routines.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Otterhound
Scent hounds · Large

Bred to work in packs, the Otterhound is generally amiable, even-tempered and sociable with people and other dogs, and often boisterous. Once on a scent it is independent and single-minded.

Spinone Italiano
Pointing dogs · Large

In temperament the Spinone is sociable, patient and affectionate, and generally easy-going with people and other dogs.

The Otterhound page →The Spinone Italiano page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Otterhound
Spinone Italiano
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Easy-going, simple routines
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Otterhound
Spinone Italiano
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Friendly with everyone
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Otterhound
Spinone Italiano
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Quiet
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Otterhound grows to the heavier adult, about 44 kg against the Spinone Italiano's 33 kg.
Otterhound
Spinone Italiano
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More comparisons

Compare the Otterhound with
Spinone Italiano vs Wirehaired Pointing GriffonAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·