Breed History

General Info.

KC Standard

ENCI Standard

Health

General Information About The Breed

The Bracco Italiano, sometimes known as the Italian Pointer, is a very ancient breed in Italy; in fact it may be one of the earliest gundog types featuring in frescos of the 14th century.

The breed has become quite popular across Europe but although introduced to this country in the 1980's we find ourselves at the beginning of the 21st century still with less than 500 dogs registered with the KC in the UK.

The Bracco Italiano was originally used in Italy for hunting birds and is now a respected part of the HPR or general purpose gundog group.

As a companion the Bracco is an even tempered and loyal family dog. He benefits from regular mental stimulation which can be traditional 'gundog' work, obedience, agility or any other task that you like to set him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which group does the Bracco Italiano belong to? The gundog group

What is their country of origin? Italy

What is their main function? Hunt, point and retrieve (HPR)

What is the availability in the UK?

Difficult - currently less than 500 of the breed have been registered in the UK

What is the average life span of the breed? 12 years

At what age do the breed mature? 3 years

What is the weight of the breed? Should be in proportion to height

What is the coat type? Smooth and easy to maintain

What are the acceptable colours of the breed?

Orange and White, Orange Roan, Chestnut and White, Chestnut Roan

Is the Bracco suitable as a family dog? Yes, if provided with sufficient training and exercise

How much exercise does the breed need? Frequent exercise with controlled free running

What are the breeds guarding capabilities? Limited but will warn of approaching strangers

What is their attitude to unknown people? Generally friendly with a little caution

What is their attitude to other dogs? Generally good

What is their attitude to cats? Good with correct training

Is the breed a town or country living dog? More suited to the country

Will the Bracco adapt to apartment living?Yes if exercise is frequent and plentiful

Will the Bracco adapt to kennel living? Yes, but may be vocal.

Is the Bracco suitable for first time dog owners? NO!

What is the general health of the breed?

Good - it is advised that hips and eyes are tested prior to breeding

What is the overall disposition of the breed? A large and gentle working gundog

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