Did you know that all gondolas in Venice must be a black color unless they are the property of a high-ranking official, and that the front portion of a gondola (or bow) always bends to the right? (photo courtesy of Audley Travel).

If this gets you in the mood for Italian, you’re in luck! We’re about to talk about the Italian Coarsehaired Pointer, a breed you know better as the Spinone Italiano.  The breed used to have different names and even different traits, it rather depended upon which part of Italy was the dog’s origin. The name ‘Spinone’ came from the Italian word meaning ‘prickly,’ the origin of that name rooted in the Latin “Prunus spinosa,” again the name for the prickly thorn bush.