Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano is an exceptional gun dog of Italian origin. Like the Spinone Italiano, t is sometimes called the Italian Pointer or Italian Griffon. One of the most versatile of gun dogs, it is able to work in thick underbrush and other difficult terrain. It is not common in its native country, where the Spinone is the better known breed, and it is very rare outside of Italy. A hunter, pointer and retriever, the Bracco Italiano is an old-fashioned dog with a ready mind and an excellent nose. When hunting, he uses a famous elongated trot with its nose high in the air to follow the scent a stance that the Italians describe as being "led by its nose."� He is patient, willing and has wonderful stamina. The Bracco Italiano averages 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder. It is a powerful, robust, muscular dog of strong bone. The topline slopes slightly and gradually from shoulders to croup, the back very slightly longer than the height: this allows the characteristic push-off forward motion when hunting. This dog has a nearly convex head and prominent Roman nose profile that is characteristic of the breed. It has pendulous upper lips. This feature, combined with the wrinkle of the forehead and the length of the ears, give this breed a famously solemn, serious expression. The ears are large, long, triangular and drop. The Bracco Italiano has large paws with webbed feet, enabling him to work well in water. The tail is usually docked at half its natural length, although in its native Italy it is now often left natural. The dewclaws are generally left intact. The coat of the Bracco Italiano is single and dense, and rather rough, and glossy in appearance. It has a pronounced weather-repellent quality. The coat comes in a variety of color combinations that exclude black. Most common are white-orange, called "bianco arancio"� and roan brown, called "roano marrone."� The Bracco Italiano is believed to be one of the oldest huntingdogs. It is represented in literature and artwork dating to the fifth century BC. It is believed to have been developed from a cross between the Segugio Italiano (a coursing hound) and the Asiatic Mastiff that was brought to the area with the Roman armies. It is a forebear of many of the modern pointer breeds in Europe. Originally it was a dog that followed the hunter - on foot with his falcon - and flushed game from the underbrush for the falcon to hold until the hunter arrived. When the trend changed to gun hunting, the Bracco Italiano developed into a versatile, racy pointer and retriever.There are two variations of the Bracco Italiano. The first was developed in the Piedmont district and is known as the Piedmontese Pointer. The second was developed in the Lombardy region, and is known as the Lombard Pointer. The Piedmont Bracco is of lighter in build, which developed in response to the mountainous terrain. The Piedmont is generally lighter in color. The Lombard Pointer is dark in color and thick of body. This variation was well established by the Middle Ages and was more common. The Bracco Italiano reached a peak of popularity during the Renaissance, when it was owned and bred by the Medici and the Gonzaga families; the dogs from these kennels were sought by much of the nobility of Europe for their hunting ability. At the turn of the 20th century, the breed had nearly reached extinction. Italian breeder Ferdinando Delor de Ferrabouc organized a group made up of fanciers from families who had faithfully bred the Bracco Italiano for centuries, and together they worked through two world wars to ensure the breed's survival. The Italian standard that is still used for the breed was written in 1849. The Bracco Italiano first came to England in 1889. It is quietly and steadily gaining supporters in North America. The Bracco Italiano is a dog bred for hard work and extra stamina, and therefore has a lot of expendable energy. It should have at least one long brisk walk daily. However, when it is indoors it tends to be well-behaved and calm. This is an intelligent dog with an inquisitive, busy mind. Ideally the owner, if he or she does not hunt, will involve the Bracco Italiano is other vigorous activities. This dog should have a yard with a very secure fence this breed jumps high and digs tunnels, and it should be leashed when walked, since its strong hunting instincts predispose it to giving chase into traffic without a second thought. The coat of the Bracco Italiano needs little care. Not only is it quite resistant to dirt but the breed has a reputation for grooming itself meticulously "like a cat."� A weekly brushing to remove dead hair and any debris will be enough. This breed is a low to moderate shedder. An occasional bath may be given as needed. No special trimming is necessary. The ears of this breed should be checked regularly for signs of mites, ticks, and infection. Any sign of infection should be seen by a veterinarian. Neglect of ear infections can lead to a painful condition and permanent damage to the hearing apparatus. Ears should be cleaned once a week. The Bracco Italiano lives an average of 12 years, and is a fairly healthy dog. As in all large breeds there is some incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly without careful breeding. The Bracco Italiano is slightly more prone to bloat than are other breeds. The owner should be aware of the signs of bloat (GDV) and know that this is an emergency, life-threatening situation when it occurs. The Bracco Italiano is an exceptional companion and family dog. It is rarely aggressive in any circumstance; in fact this breed is so friendly that it is not considered to be a good guard dog prospect. The Bracco Italiano is patient with children, tolerant of other household pets, and happy to have another dog to play with. This intelligent dog is very eager to bond with its owner and to receive direction; it is easy and pleasant to train. The Bracco Italiano is a wonderful household companion, and can make a great therapy dog. Owners will enjoy tracking and scenting, search and rescue, water dog sports, jogging and hiking with this incredibly versatile breed.

Back to iAnimals.com home page Copyright Notice: This website is © . All Rights Reserved.  Click Here to contact us. Link Partners: Animals Go to Heaven | Adopt Me | Salt And Pepper | Singing Animals | Animal Noises