Breed History

General Info.

KC Standard

ENCI Standard

Health

History of the Breed

The Bracco Italiano belongs to the hunt, point and retrieve (HPR) gundog group and are held in high esteem not only in the UK but in their country of origin Italy.

The Bracco is an ancient breed being mentioned in writings of the fourth and fifth centuries B.C.  The most probable theory of its origins is that it sprang from a union between the Molossus and the Egyptian Hound, and are the antecedents of many of today's modern sporting dogs.  

Centuries ago hunters in Italy developed the Bracco for the specific purpose of working - to drive game into the hunters' nets.  With the invention of the gun to role changed to that of the HPR to which it has remained faithful to the present day.  Although the breed developed to accommodate the hunters needs the breed has remained very true to type.

In Italy the Bracco is held in high esteem as a working gundog and today the breed enters more field trials than any other breed.  Its popularity has outstripped all the other gundog breeds available in Italy including the Spinone.

The Bracco Italiano is the United Kingdom are predominantly companions however nearly all the dogs participate in some kind of work - gundogs, field trials, working tests, working trials, track and search, falconry and Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs.    Jonathan and Liz Shaw were responsible for bringing the breed to the UK.  In 1988 whilst visiting a field trial in Italy to see Spinone they encountered the Bracco for the first time.  Those Bracchi made a huge impression on them and subsequently in the spring of 1989 the first Bracco arrived in quarantine in the UK.  He was called Zerbo.  From those beginnings a continuing number of Bracchi have been imported into the UK, predominantly by Jonathan and Liz Shaw.  During the period from 1989 up to 1999 only 7 litters were bred in the UK (1 in quarantine).  This "quality not quantity" approach to breeding ensured that the breed remained true to type and ensured a firm foundation for its continuing future in the UK.

The Bracco is the most hound like of all the gundog breeds and facially more akin to the bloodhound or basset hound however he is a true gundog; a stylish and enthusiastic hunter, has a superb nose, will hold a staunch point and retrieve keenly to hand.  We must never lose sight that it was work that gave us the Bracco and although Bracchi are wonderful companion dogs, they are at their most happiest when doing a job!

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