Differences and Similarities between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano.

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Spinone Italiano.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano

Factor Caucasian Shepherd Dog Spinone Italiano
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 22 to 28 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2110 $1180
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1000 – $1000
Temperament Score 85.0 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Spinone Italianos are good for new dog owners.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Spinone Italianos 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.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Spinone Italianos get along well with other dogs.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Spinone Italianos are very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano can tolerate cold weather.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Spinone Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Spinone Italiano

    The lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $2110. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 56 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $2110 $1180
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1000 to $1000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the Spinone Italiano.

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in Spinone Italianos.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Spinone Italiano

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Spinone Italianos?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Spinone Italiano

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Spinone Italiano?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Spinone Italiano

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

    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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Spinone Italiano?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Spinone Italianos?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Boerboel.
  • 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and how the Spinone Italiano compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and of the Spinone Italiano to other breeds:

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Afador     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Miniature Poodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Korean Jindo Dog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Akbash     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Shichon     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Chorkie     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Rottweiler     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Aussiedoodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus English Setter     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Stabyhoun     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Sealyham Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Japanese Spitz     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Mastiff     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Basset Hound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus English Toy Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Kishu Ken     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Airedale Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pomsky     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Coton de Tulear     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Valley Bulldog     Spinone Italiano versus Goldador     Spinone Italiano versus Great Dane     Spinone Italiano versus Sheepadoodle     Spinone Italiano versus Tibetan Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus Australian Cattle Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Lowchen     Spinone Italiano versus Shichon     Spinone Italiano versus Rottweiler     Spinone Italiano versus Bloodhound     Spinone Italiano versus English Setter     Spinone Italiano versus Finnish Spitz     Spinone Italiano versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Spinone Italiano versus Basset Hound     Spinone Italiano versus Alaskan Malamute     Spinone Italiano versus English Setter     Spinone Italiano versus Bichon Frise     Spinone Italiano versus Saluki     Spinone Italiano versus Pointer     Spinone Italiano versus Pharaoh Hound     Spinone Italiano versus Swedish Vallhund     Spinone Italiano versus Basenji     Spinone Italiano versus Miniature Poodle     Spinone Italiano versus Finnish Spitz     Spinone Italiano versus Rottweiler     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.