Differences and Similarities between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Pit Bull Terrier and for the Spinone Italiano. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spinone Italiano.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Pit Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Pit Bull Terrier to the Spinone Italiano based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano

Factor American Pit Bull Terrier Spinone Italiano
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 14 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Weight 30 to 85 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1140 $1180
Price Range $400 – $1200 $1000 – $1000
Temperament Score 87.4 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Pit Bull Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Spinone Italiano. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spinone Italiano is a better pet than the American Pit Bull Terrier. So, you should get the Spinone Italiano!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano

    Below is a list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are most different:

  • American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Spinone Italianos get along well with other dogs.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Spinone Italianos are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Spinone Italianos do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    • The Similarities Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:

  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano.

    American Pit Bull Terriers weigh 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. American Pit Bull Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

    The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.

    American Pit Bull Terriers live longer than Spinone Italianos.

    Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the American Pit Bull Terrier

    The American Pit Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 87.4 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 87.4 percent, the American Pit Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 931 American Pit Bull Terriers and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    Price of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1140. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $400 – $1200. However, the price of a American Pit Bull Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 877 American Pit Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Spinone Italiano is more expensive than the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    American Pit Bull Terrier Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $1140 $1180
    Price Range $400 to $1200 $1000 to $1000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Pit Bull Terrier and Spinone Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many American Pit Bull Terrier puppies or how many Spinone Italiano puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy or the Spinone Italiano puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers shed more than Spinone Italianos?

    American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spinone Italiano

    American Pit Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spinone Italiano?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Spinone Italianos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Pit Bull Terrier vs. Spinone Italiano

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spinone Italiano?

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Pit Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Pit Bull Terriers and Spinone Italianos?

    American Pit Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Spinone Italiano?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Pit Bull Terrier:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (76 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs American Staffordshire Terrier.
  • American Water Spaniel (74 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs American Water Spaniel.
  • German Shepherd Dog (77 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs German Shepherd Dog.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Spinone Italiano:

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs French Spaniel.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Pit Bull Terrier and how the Spinone Italiano compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and of the Spinone Italiano to other breeds:

    American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Chow Chow     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Beaglier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Basset Hound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus French Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Whippet     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Saint Bernard     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Stabyhoun     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Leonberger     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Cane Corso     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pomapoo     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Border Collie     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus American Water Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus American Eskimo Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Labrador Retriever     Spinone Italiano versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Spinone Italiano versus Clumber Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus English Cocker Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus English Springer Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus Samoyed     Spinone Italiano versus Australian Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Frenchton     Spinone Italiano versus Gordon Setter     Spinone Italiano versus Samoyed     Spinone Italiano versus Kishu Ken     Spinone Italiano versus Catahoula Bulldog     Spinone Italiano versus Alaskan Malamute     Spinone Italiano versus Affenhuahua     Spinone Italiano versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Spinone Italiano versus Tibetan Mastiff     Spinone Italiano versus Pomapoo     Spinone Italiano versus Kuvasz     Spinone Italiano versus Pug     Spinone Italiano versus Aussiedoodle     Spinone Italiano versus Spanish Mastiff     Spinone Italiano versus Lowchen     Spinone Italiano versus Carolina Dog     

    Conclusion: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Spinone Italiano. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.