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Working Bracchi

The Bracco Italiano is a versatile working breed and there are differrent types of work the breed performs in the UK.  The dog may be an actual working dog or compete in trials to test its working ability.  Of course the dog may do both!

For more general information or information concerning working your own bracco contact the working secretary Beth Derrett  01633 430434 : 

The types of work Bracchi are doing today are:

Gundogs

click to enlarge image (photo:Nick Ridley)

The Bracco Italiano is a hunt, point and retrieve (HPR) breed.  In common with other pointing breeds their early development goes back to times before the development of sporting firearms when they were used to locate and hold game by means of "pointing", allowing falconers to fly hawks or hunters to deploy nets prior to the quarry being flushed. With the introduction of firearms for hunting, the Bracco extended its duties to include retrieving which until now had not been a requirement.

The method of operation of the Bracco is to widely quarter the ground using its unique extended trotting gait, instinctively moving at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the wind and sieving the scent being brought downwind to it.  In order for the dog to find game and achieve a point it must be taking air scent and therefore the head carriage of the dog should be high.  A dog which finds quarry by following foot scent will almost certainly fail to point causing the game to flush out of gunshot. 

On locating its target, the dog will move up the air bound scent trail until it feels it can go no further for fear of disturbing its quarry.  The quarry, likewise, will be aware of the dog's presence and will remain still in an attempt to go undetected.  Individual dogs will point in different ways but the common factor is the unmoving fixed head and feet "rooted" to the spot.  Any movement of the head and body at this stage may indicate that the quarry and therefore its scent are moving.

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A dog on point will then, on command, be required to produce or flush the quarry in a positive manner causing it to fly, in the case of a bird, or to bolt, if a rabbit or hare.  At this point the dog should remain steady so that a shot may be taken.  The dog is then required, once again on command, to quickly find the area where the quarry lies and retrieve it to hand without any damage.

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Whether the Bracco Italiano is a working gundog or not, during the year, he is eligible to compete in the UK in various hunting related disciplines under rules set by the Kennel Club.  The ultimate discipline being that of the Field Trial.  Field trials are arranged during the shooting season by the various HPR breed clubs and societies.  These trials give the dog and handler the chance to compete with all other HPR breeds in what is described by the Kennel Club as and event run "as close to a normal shooting day as possible".

During the closed season where game birds are not shot the same Clubs and Societies host Working Tests which are also regulated by the Kennel Club. These tests consist of a number of tests simulating situations which may be encountered in the shooting field, such as hunting, retrieving and obedience.  The dogs are awarded points which culminate in the final awards being presented. There is another activity which is peculiar to the pointing breeds which is run during the spring months and is called the "Spring Pointing Test".  These events are not licensed by the Kennel Club but adhere to the regulations found in field trials with regards to the faults committed by the dog and handler.  The tests are judged by approved Kennel Club panel judges and provide an opportunity  for a dog's hunting, pointing and flushing abilities to be graded.  The grading is classified as Good, Very Good or Excellent.  Young dogs under 2 years old can be graded in pheasant but older dogs can only be graded when working partridge.

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Tracking

Tracking requires the dog to track human scent. The track can vary in length and will most certainly involve changes of direction and the negotiation of differing terrains. The dog uses its highly sensitive sense of smell to locate the scent.  The dog wears a harness to work in, to which a tracking line (up to approximately 30ft in length) is attached. 

The handler works  the dog using the full length of the tracking line.  This ensures that the handler does not unduly interfere with the dog whilst tracking and also allows both the handler and any people following to keep up with the dog!  If the dog was allowed to track without a harness the dog would track at a speed almost impossible for anyone to keep up with.

Tracking is most commonly used by services such as the police and military where the dogs scenting ability is often used to locate criminals and/or missing persons. 

It is also possible for dogs to compete in Working Trails where tracking is only one of a number of different disciplines the dog undertakes.  In Working Trail competitions the dog must recover articles of property placed at intervals during the track. Neither the dog nor handler is present when the track is laid and dependant upon the dog's experience the track can be anything from 30 minutes to 3 hours old before being worked. Weather conditions and terrain can play a very important part in the success of the track especially on one 3 hours old.

Tracking can be very demanding so the dogs must be physically fit, it is extremely useful if the handler is as fit in order to keep up with the dog!

Bracchi are also currently used in the UK as Falconry dogs and Pets as Therapy dogs (PAT).

More information on Field Trials, Working Tests & Training Classes for all HPRs can be found at www.hprftinfo.co.uk

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