Which is Better Between the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano?

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Borzoi Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Borzoi 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Borzoi 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi or the Spinone Italiano.

Borzoi versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Borzoi is a giant-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Borzoi belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Borzoi versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano

Factor Borzoi Spinone Italiano
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Height 26 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 55 to 105 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1560 $1090
Price Range $1500 – $1500 $1000 – $1000
Temperament Score 90.1 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi is 82 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 Borzoi. 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are most different:

    • Borzois do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    The Similarities Between the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano

    The Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:

    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Size Comparison of Borzoi versus Spinone Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano.

    Borzois weigh 55 to 105 pounds when fully grown. Borzois are 26 to 32 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 Borzoi versus Spinone Italiano

    The lifespan of Borzois is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Borzois is 11.0 years.

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

    Spinone Italianos live longer than Borzois.

    Temperament of the Borzoi Versus the Spinone Italiano

    The Borzoi has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Borzoi is 90.1 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 90.1 percent, the Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 111 Borzois and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    Price of Borzoi versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    The average price of the Borzoi puppy is $1560. The price of the Borzoi typically ranges from $1500 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 7 Borzoi puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Spinone Italiano puppy is $1090. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 28 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Borzoi is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Borzois. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Borzois. 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 Borzoi 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.

    Health Problems of Borzoi versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Borzoi is prone to more genetic health problems than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Borzoi than for the Spinone Italiano.

    6 health tests are recommended for Borzoi while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Borzois and in Spinone Italianos.

    Borzoi Health Problems

    Borzois are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Borzoi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Borzoi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Borzoi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Borzois for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Borzois here.

    Spinone Italiano Health Problems

    Spinone Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Spinone Italiano puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Spinone Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Spinone Italiano breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Spinone Italianos for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Borzoi versus Spinone Italiano

    Borzois do not like to be left alone.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Borzois shed more than Spinone Italianos?

    Borzois shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Borzoi or the Spinone Italiano

    Borzois do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Borzoi or the Spinone Italiano?

    Borzois are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Borzoi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    Borzois 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.

    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 Borzois Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

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

    Can Borzois Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Borzois can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Borzoi vs. Spinone Italiano

    Borzois 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 Borzois Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Borzois 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 Borzoi or the Spinone Italiano?

    Borzois get along very well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Borzois good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

    Borzois 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 Borzois and Spinone Italianos?

    Borzois get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Borzoi Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Borzois are fairly easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Borzoi Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Borzois adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Borzoi or the Spinone Italiano?

    Borzois are OK for new dog owners.

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.