History of Sicilian Livestock Guardian Dogs
Built for the Hills, Bred for the Job
Sicily—second only to Sardinia in its population of sheep and goats—has always required a special kind of guardian dog. In the Hyblean region, flocks often mix goats and sheep, which exhibit very different behaviors. Goats are more independent, often wandering off and climbing rough terrain. This means the dog watching over them needs to be fast, agile, and sharp—and the Spino degli Iblei excels in this role.
Raised directly alongside the animals in traditional shepherd dwellings known as mànnare, the Spino lives in near-constant contact with the flock, even sleeping among them. While younger dogs guard the homestead, older Spini lead the herd to pasture at dawn and back again by dusk, remaining ever alert for predators—or even the occasional thief.
Because the Spino breed has stayed largely confined to the Hyblean territory, it has maintained a remarkably pure lineage over the centuries. This isolation has helped preserve their unique pack behavior—some even say a female in heat will only accept another Spino from her own group.
Every part of the Spino’s body seems built for its role as a guardian dog. Its thick, wavy coat protects it from winter rains, summer heat, parasites, and sharp debris on the ground. Its eyesight, shaped by the bright Sicilian sun, is sharp and resilient, and its strong sense of smell helps it detect danger from afar. This is a dog shaped by the land—and fiercely loyal to those it protects, embodying a rich Sicilian breed history.
