Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano is one of the oldest pointing breeds — an Italian gundog of substance, with long ears, loose skin and a sober, thoughtful way of working.

History

It has hunted in Italy for centuries, finding and pointing game for the net and later the gun, and it stands behind many of the continental pointing breeds. Its build is heavier and its gait more deliberate than the sleek pointers of Britain.

Temperament

The breed is known for being gentle, affectionate and sociable — a calm, people-oriented dog at home and a methodical, willing worker in the field. It is sensitive and dislikes harsh handling.

Care and training

It needs plenty of exercise and enjoys work for its nose, and gentle, positive training suits it best. The short coat is easy to keep, but the long ears need regular cleaning.

Health

Known tendencies include hip dysplasia, ear infections, eyelid faults from the loose skin, and the bloat risk of a deep-chested dog. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.