Breed Comparison: Dachshund Versus Spinone Italiano

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Dachshund Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dachshund 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 Dachshund or the Spinone Italiano

Dachshund versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dachshund 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.

Dachshund versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dachshund 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.

Factor Dachshund Spinone Italiano
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 16 to 32 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
General Health 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Height 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1730 $1180
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $1000 – $1000
Temperament Score 69.4 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 11 112

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dachshund 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 a Dachshund is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spinone Italiano is a better pet than the Dachshund. 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Spinone Italianos can tolerate cold weather.
  • Dachshunds are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Spinone Italianos are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Dachshunds do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Dachshunds gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Spinone Italianos are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Dachshunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Dachshunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Both the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano are very playful.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Spinone Italiano

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

    Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 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.

    Temperament of the Dachshund Versus the Spinone Italiano

    The Dachshund has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dachshund is 69.4 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 they 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 69.4 percent, the Dachshund has a below-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 Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 49 Dachshunds and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    Price of Dachshund versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    The average price of the Dachshund puppy is $1730. The price of the Dachshund typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Dachshund can be as low as $200 and as high as $24000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 698 Dachshund 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 a 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 Dachshund is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.

    Dachshund Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $1730 $1180
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $1000 to $1000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds. 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 Dachshund 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    The Popularity of Dachshund versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dachshund is more popular with dog owners than the Spinone Italiano. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dachshund is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dachshund

    Popularity of Dachshund

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Year Dachshund Popularity Rank Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank
    2013 10 117
    2014 11 118
    2015 13 112
    2016 13 105
    2017 13 111
    2018 12 109
    2019 11 116
    2020 10 110

    Health Problems of Dachshund versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano

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

    Both the Dachshund 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 Spinone Italiano is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Dachshund.

    5 health tests are recommended for Dachshund while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.

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

    Dachshund Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dachshunds 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dachshunds and Spinone Italianos

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Dachshund Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Dachshund ranks 6 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 175 Dachshunds, 2 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dachshunds, and how common these diseases are in Dachshunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 6 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 27 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 30 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 42 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 65 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 106 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 160 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 161 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Spinone Italiano Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Spinone Italiano ranks 5 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Spinone Italianos, 2 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Spinone Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Spinone Italianos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 5 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 16 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 20 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 61 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 77 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 164 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dachshund and in Spinone Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dachshund and the Spinone Italiano:

    Disease Dachshund Rank Spinone Italiano Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 6 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 27 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 30 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 42 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 65 out of 159 dog breeds 20 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 106 out of 115 dog breeds 16 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 160 out of 182 dog breeds 164 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 161 out of 198 dog breeds 77 out of 198 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 5 out of 22 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 61 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

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

    Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Spinone Italiano

    Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Dachshunds are not easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Spinone Italiano

    Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dachshunds 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 Dachshund or the Spinone Italiano?

    Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Dachshunds shed more than Spinone Italianos?

    Dachshunds shed moderately.

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

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

    Dachshunds are moderately easy to groom.

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

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

    Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

    Dachshunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

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

    Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Spinone Italianos?

    Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    Dachshunds 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 Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

    Dachshunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Spinone Italiano

    Dachshunds 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dachshund 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 Dachshund:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Lhasa Apso (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Lhasa Apso.
  • Manchester Terrier (75 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Miniature Pinscher (72 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • 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 Dachshund vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Dachshund vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dachshund versus Giant Schnauzer     Dachshund versus Bullmastiff     Dachshund versus Pharaoh Hound     Dachshund versus Newfoundland     Dachshund versus Chi-Poo     Dachshund versus Norwich Terrier     Dachshund versus Doberman Pinscher     Dachshund versus Spinone Italiano     Dachshund versus Havanese     Dachshund versus Rottweiler     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Puli     Spinone Italiano versus Collie     Spinone Italiano versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Briard     Spinone Italiano versus Cesky Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Spinone Italiano versus Shih Tzu     Spinone Italiano versus Beagle     Spinone Italiano versus Toy Fox Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Shiloh Shepherd     

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