Bracco Italiano – Gundog
Image: olgagorovenko/Shutterstock.com
The Bracco Italiano The Illustrious Italian Pointer
Image: olgagorovenko/Shutterstock.com
Quick Overview
Name: The Italian Pointer Dog, the Bracco Italiano
Size: No bigger than 67cm tall
Weight: No heavier than 40kg
Grooming: Not often
Training: On the easier side
Exercise: High energy, 2+ hours per day
Temperament: Loving, eager, and smart
Origins: Italy
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Breed Type: Gundog
The History Behind the Bracco Italiano
The Bracco Italiano was first recorded all the way back in the early centuries… when history was still in the single digits. It is believed their two parent breeds were the Segugio Italiano and the Asiatic Mastiff – although genuinely it is so long ago that we might never know. It is estimated that they were bred to work in the mountains, helping the hunters and folk that lived in the hilly regions to acquire as much meat as possible from the surrounding lands.
The breed continued to develop in Northern Italy for hundreds of years. By the time it came to the Renaissance, they were worshipped by the nobility. These were the dogs that had been bred to be big enough to keep up with the horses the hunters would have ridden out on. The breed peaked in this era, a perfect complement to the huntsman of old.
At the start of the 1800s, the Bracco Italiano was all but extinct. Years of breeding them with other hounds or lesser genetics had rendered them unrecognizable. Before then, there had been two distinct strands of the Bracco Italiano. One was orange and white and was known as Piedmont. The other was roan and brown and came from Lombardy. When the breed almost went extinct and had to be carefully recovered in the 1800s, these two breeds were declared the same. In the 1920s the breed standard made this official.
The mammoth effort to re-breed and integrate both types of dog was finally amalgamated in 1949 in Italy when the society for Bracco Italiano dogs re-wrote the standard to incorporated features of both dogs. In recent years, the Bracco crossed the seas to the UK in the 80s, went to the AKC in the 90s, and hasn’t looked back since.
Fun Bracco Facts!
Here at Five Minutes Spare, we take our doggy duties seriously. When it comes to finding out all of the most interesting things about your Bracco Italiano, our dog directory ought to be your first stop! Here are some of the coolest things you should know about your new Bracco Italiano puppy:
- The Bracco Italiano was the very first dog ever registered in the Italian Kennel Club, all the way back in 1882. You will also find a breed standard in the UK Kennel Club, the AKC and the UKC… It’s a popular breed.
- It is world-renowned as one of the oldest pointers on the planet.
- The Bracco was introduced to the USA in the 1990s.
- This breed has been spotted in paintings as far back as the 4th century…BC.
- The Medici family bred Bracco Italianos
So if you have one of these exceptional dogs in your possession, you are a lucky soul! The Bracco Italiano is equal parts loving and smart, so you are in for an interesting time of it.
Are Bracco Italiano Dogs Difficult to Train?
They are eager to make you happy, which always makes for easier training. Alas, like most dogs, they respond best to training for their breed type. The Bracco will always be a better gundog than they will be a ratter or a retriever. They will seek out prey through scent then lead you to it – but try training them to become a guide dog and they might struggle. Dog obedience classes and socialisation are a must from the offset.
How Much Exercise do they need?
They are a medium-to-large breed, so about two hours of exercise every day should do. If they are behaving badly try upping the exercise you give them to correct behaviour. As an additional exercise point, aim for two long walks and a good play, or have a home with a big garden so they can run around. If you are going to be out of the house all day try a smaller breed. The Affenpinscher doesn’t need the same exercise level, for example, because it is so little.
What about Grooming?
They don’t need brushing regularly, although doing so is a nice bonding experience for you and your dog. You should do their nails and teeth as often as is needed and beware of casting a couple of times a year. The Bracco is not hypo-allergenic.
Where Can I Buy a Bracco Italiano?
You should always choose a reputable breeder from the list your local kennel club keeps. If not, try dog shelters in your area to find one. You can usually reserve particular breeds in advance if you give them a call. Be sure not to buy from a puppy farmer and report any unusual activity. Wondering how to spot a puppy farmer? They won’t have doggy documentation, can’t introduce you to your pup’s parents, and are unlikely to meet you in their home.
Are they a Healthy Dog Breed?
The downside to the Bracco Italiano is the same as the upside – that long history. This breed has been around for so long that they have picked up more than one or two health problems. They are fairly big, so watch out for elbow and hip joint issues. They are known to have several eye problems… entropion, cataracts, and renal amyloidosis to name but a few. Any old breed will have skin problems and ear infections. They also suffer from growing pains since their bodies stretch out in puppyhood. Do any of these problems take away from the pleasure of owning a pointer? No. You take out insurance and you go on.
So There we have it our quick guide to this very old Dog Breed hailing from Italy. Click on the link if you want to see our overviews of other Italian Dog Breeds.
Not Your Ideal Breed?
We cover a myriad of dog types here at Five Minutes Spare, so if you are feeling lost in a world of puppy choices, look no further! How about a bouncy boxer for a dog that’s full of beans? No? Maybe a Boston terrier? Your ideal dog is out there. Together, we can help you find it.
