Ozzy's new friend in the park

Ozzy's new friend is a Spinone. 

 

The breed is believed to have been developed in the Piedmont region of Italy. The Spinone is a very ancient breed.  It is one of the oldest gun dogs in existence. The origins of the breed are unclear.  There are many different theories. Some of these claim that the Spinone could have originated in Italy, France, Spain, Russia, Greece, or even Celtic Ireland.

Some people familiar with the history of the breed claim that the Spinone descended from the now-extinct Spanish Pointer, whilst others claim that it was the ancient Russian Setter that is responsible for the breed we know today. An even more popular theory is that Greek traders brought coarse-haired setters to Italy during the height of the Roman empire, where the dogs were then crossed with various others and the modern Spinone eventually emerged.

The breed was not officially known as "Spinone" until the early 19th century. Before then, some areas knew the breed as the "Spinoso". The breed may have been named after an Italian thorn bush, the spino, which was a favorite hiding place for small game because for larger animals it was practically impenetrable. Only thick-skinned, coarse-haired animals could fight through the branches unharmed to locate the game. The Spinone was the breed most capable of doing so, and, perhaps, therefore the name was formed.