Spino degli Iblei
Also called Sicilian Shepherd Dog, Pastore Siciliano
From Italy, south-eastern Sicily, mainly the province of Ragusa at the foot of the Iblei mountains.1
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, rough coat
Long hair of at least 10 cm all over the body and legs, with shaggy eyebrows, a beard and a moustache that give the face a bushy look. A strong, well-balanced guardian build.1
Personality what they are like
A strong, calm guardian that protects firmly without needless aggression. With its own family it is obedient and gentle, and it settles well into home life.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working guardian used to patrolling flocks outdoors, so it needs space and regular daily walks.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The long, rough coat and facial furnishings benefit from regular brushing to keep them tidy.1
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to rural homes or properties with room to roam and something to watch over.1
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with its family and flock; Italian sources mention growing use in pet therapy and activities with children.1
The story where it all began
The Spino is seen as the local form of Sicily's old pastoral guardian dog, shaped by the many peoples and dogs that passed through the island. Nineteenth-century Sicilian paintings already show dogs of this type. Local breeders gained Italian national recognition in 2015.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
A black Spino appears in the 1884 painting 'In Sicilia' by Pasquale Libertini.1
- 2
Francesco Lojacono's 1889 painting 'La benedizione del bestiame', showing dogs of this type, is held at the Musée Condé in France.1
- 3
White must always show on the feet, chest, head and tail tip, and an all-white dog is also allowed.1
Recognised by the official bits
- ENCI
- Recognised by the Italian kennel club on 19 November 2015 in its supplementary register of recognised breeds (RSR). Not recognised by the FCI.2
- Club del Pastore Siciliano
- The breed association recognised by ENCI to look after the breed.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Spino degli Iblei. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia (Italian): Spino degli Iblei it.wikipedia.orgused for origin, size, coat, colours, temperament, history, fun facts
- ENCI list of breeds admitted to the RSR enci.itused for recognition
- ENCI breed page: Spino degli Iblei enci.itused for reference only (page not reachable at research time)
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.