Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
- Harrier versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
- Harrier versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Spinone Italiano
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Spinone Italiano
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Spinone Italiano
- Do Harriers shed more than Spinone Italianos?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Spinone Italiano
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Spinone Italiano?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Spinone Italiano
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Spinone Italiano?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Spinone Italianos?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Spinone Italiano. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Spinone Italiano.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Spinone Italiano.
Harrier versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Harrier 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.
Harrier versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Spinone Italiano
| Factor | Harrier | Spinone Italiano |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 28 inches |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 61 to 86 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1000 – $1000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1180 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 112 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Spinone Italiano
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano
The Harrier and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Spinone Italiano
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano.
Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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 Harrier versus Spinone Italiano
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers 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 Harriers.
The Popularity of Harrier 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 Harrier and the Spinone Italiano over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Spinone Italiano is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Spinone Italiano
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 117 |
| 2014 | 181 | 118 |
| 2015 | 183 | 112 |
| 2016 | 186 | 105 |
| 2017 | 183 | 111 |
| 2018 | 189 | 109 |
| 2019 | 186 | 116 |
| 2020 | 190 | 110 |
Health Problems of Harrier 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 Harrier 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 more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Spinone Italiano than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Spinone Italianos.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers 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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Spinone Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Spinone Italiano:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Spinone Italiano Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 77 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 5 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 16 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 20 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 61 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 164 out of 182 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Spinone Italiano
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Spinone Italianos?
Harriers shed moderately.
Spinone Italianos shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Spinone Italiano
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Spinone Italiano?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
Harriers 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 Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?
Harriers 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.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Spinone Italiano
Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Spinone Italiano?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
Harriers 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 Harriers and Spinone Italianos?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Spinone Italiano?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier 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 Harrier:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Spinone Italiano compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Spinone Italiano to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier Harrier versus Norfolk Terrier Harrier versus Canaan Dog Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier Harrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Harrier versus Pointer Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff Harrier versus Peek A Poo Harrier versus Shiranian Harrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Harrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Harrier versus Cairn Terrier Harrier versus Spanish Mastiff Harrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Harrier versus Cocker Spaniel Harrier versus Silky Terrier Harrier versus Frenchton Harrier versus Border Collie Harrier versus Japanese Chin Harrier versus Skye Terrier Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier Harrier versus Bluetick Coonhound Harrier versus Patterdale Terrier Harrier versus Labradoodle Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds
Spinone Italiano versus Affenhuahua Spinone Italiano versus Japanese Chin Spinone Italiano versus Pomeranian Spinone Italiano versus Yorkipoo Spinone Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Spinone Italiano versus Afghan Hound Spinone Italiano versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Bich Poo Spinone Italiano versus Coton de Tulear Spinone Italiano versus Cairn Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Spinone Italiano versus Irish Setter Spinone Italiano versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Spinone Italiano versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Spinone Italiano versus West Highland White Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Valley Bulldog Spinone Italiano versus Bluetick Coonhound Spinone Italiano versus French Spaniel Spinone Italiano versus Miniature Pinscher Spinone Italiano versus Kai Ken Spinone Italiano versus Siberian Husky Spinone Italiano versus Akita Chow Spinone Italiano versus Xoloitzcuintli Spinone Italiano versus Mastiff
Conclusion: Harrier 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 Harrier and the Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.