BY HUNTERS FOR HUNTERS

Meet the Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano requires daily exercise. If not given enough exertion they can become overly rambunctious and possibly destructive. A long walk or jog is a good way to exercise a Bracco. They make good jogging companions. Another way is to allow them to run free in a large, safely enclosed area. They love to swim, and it is good exercise for them. A young Bracco (or young dog of any large breed) should not be exercised by a bicycle, or any other method that would overly stress their growing bones. If they do not have access to a place to run on their own, 2 hours of exercise daily is probably best. A well exercised Bracco is a tractable, calm companion that sleep well at night and is healthy.

The breed requires no difficult maintenance to keep its coat at its best. A hound glove is essential for the grooming of a Bracco. A boar's hair brush can also come in handy (this type of brush bring the oils to the top of the coat, making it shiny). A few minutes of brushing each week should keep the coat in good condition. Show dogs may need to be brushed more often, especially right before a show. The tips of the ears tend to get dirty, since they are long enough to get in the dog's water when he drinks. Scrubbing the ends with a wet rag usually does the trick, but sometimes a mild soap is needed to dissolve the dirt. Being a breed with large lips they are prone to drool a lot.The Bracco Italiano requires daily exercise. If not given enough exertion they can become overly rambunctious and possibly destructive. A long walk or jog is a good way to exercise a Bracco. They make good jogging companions. Another way is to allow them to run free in a large, safely enclosed area. They love to swim, and it is good exercise for them. A young Bracco (or young dog of any large breed) should not be exercised by a bicycle, or any other method that would overly stress their growing bones. If they do not have access to a place to run on their own, 2 hours of exercise daily is probably best. A well exercised Bracco is a tractable, calm companion that sleep well at night and is healthy.

Type :   Family: Gundog, Versatile Hunting Dog

Area & Date of Origin: Italy; 4th or 5th century BC

Function: hunting feathered game, companion

Other Names: "Bracco" (plural: Bracchi), Italian Pointer, Italian Pointing dog

Size: 55-88 pounds

Lifespan: 12 years

 

Physical Characteristics 
The Bracco Italiano is a very dignified dog. The breed is powerful and muscular but not lumbering. His expression is intelligent and kind. He lives up to his noble Italian heritage in being very regal in both appearance and behavior. His head is more hound-like and less like that of a gundog.  The occiput is pronounced. The nose should extend over the muzzle to form an angle. The neck is a strong cone shape. His ears are long - they should be able to touch the tip of the nose without being stretched. The breed has a smooth, flowing trot with plenty of reach and drive. The topline consists of two lines: the first from the withers to the 11th dorsal vertebra, and the second is slightly arched to the rump. The tale is thick and tapering (but is normally docked 15-25cm). The feet are large and have dewclaws.  The coat is smooth and dense and should be finer on the head and throat. They can be any of the following color/color combinations: white; orange and white; orange roan; chesnut and white; or chestnut roan. They are a large breed and weigh between 55-88 pounds.  

 

Temperament
The Bracco is very much a people loving dog. They thrive on human companionship and have a need to be close to their people. The breed bonds closely with its family. The closer to his owner a Bracco is, the more content he is.  They are affectionate and loyal and Bracchi love to play. They get along well with other dogs and pets. They are very willing to please. The Bracco is highly trainable but can be stubborn. Harsh reprimands do not work with this breed, because they will ignore the command and nothing will be accomplished. The breed loves to hunt, and they excel at it. The Bracco knows when it has a job to do and takes it seriously. They are an active breed and need sufficient exercise to keep them happy. As puppies they may chew, but are not neurotic as some other high energy breeds are prone to be. Unlike other gundog breeds there is not a difference between show/pet lines and hunting lines.


Maintenance 

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