Bracco Italiano Dog Breed Information and Care Guide

The Bracco Italiano is an ancient dog breed that originated in Italy, dating back to the 16th century.

This breed was highly valued for its hunting skills and was often used for hunting small game such as birds and rabbits.

The Bracco Italiano is a medium-sized dog with a muscular build and a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming.

They typically weigh between 60-80 pounds and stand between 22-27 inches tall at the shoulder.

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The Bracco Italiano is a lively and energetic breed that thrives in active families who can provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

They are sensitive and loving companions, eager to learn and please their owners with positive reinforcement training.

With their inherited gundog skills, they excel in various sports and activities that challenge them physically and mentally.

The Bracco Italiano has a distinctive form that sets it apart from other gundog breeds. Their large head is a notable feature, with droopy jowls that give them a unique appearance.

Their ears are long and low-set, which adds to their hound-like appearance. This is especially evident when compared to other breeds, such as the Bloodhound.

The Bracco Italiano's athletic build is evident in their overall form, making them a tall and impressive breed. Their physical characteristics make them well-suited for their original purpose as a hunting breed.

The Bracco Italiano is a versatile breed with a notable size range. Males typically stand between 22-27 inches tall and weigh between 55-88 pounds.

Females are slightly smaller, measuring 22-25 inches in height and weighing between 53-86 pounds. This size variation is due to the breed's origins in different regions of Italy, where two distinct types were developed.

The coat of the Bracco Italiano is truly distinctive.

It's short and dense, giving it a sleek appearance that's very appealing.

You'll notice it has a glossy sheen, which is lovely to behold.

The coat is also remarkably smooth to the touch, a joy to pet.

Acceptable colors for the Bracco Italiano coat include all white, with white orange or dark amber markings, white with chestnut markings, white with pale orange ticking, and white mottled with chestnut ticking.

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The Bracco Italiano is known for being a loving breed, with many owners describing them as "affectionate" and eager to please. They thrive on attention and interaction, making them a great companion for active families.

Their sensitive nature means they respond well to kind training and positive reinforcement. This approach will help them learn and grow, but it's essential to remember that they can be stubborn at times.

As a breed that's well-suited to families with a job to do, they require regular exercise and mental stimulation. This can take the form of various sports and activities that utilize their inherited gundog skills.

Caring for your Bracco Italiano requires a combination of regular grooming, proper diet, and consistent exercise.

Supervise your pet as you would a toddler, keeping doors closed and picking up after yourself to keep her out of trouble.

A hound glove is an essential tool for grooming your Bracco, and brushing her coat once or twice a week will keep it in good condition.

Regular brushing of her teeth at least twice a week will keep them perfect.

Cleaning her ears weekly, even as a puppy, is crucial to prevent ear infections.

Her long ears tend to drag in food and water bowls, so be sure to clean the ends with a soft wet cloth.

A consistent diet is essential for your Bracco's health.

Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age, and avoid giving her people food.

Exercise your dog regularly, but don't overdo it at first, as this can lead to injury.

Here's a summary of the essential grooming tasks for your Bracco Italiano:

As a Bracco Italiano owner, it's essential to be aware of the potential health issues that can affect your furry friend.

Hip dysplasia and other common canine health issues are not particularly common in the breed, but it's still crucial to monitor your dog's health closely.

Ectropion can occur in Bracco Italianos due to their loose skin on and around the head, so keep an eye out for any signs of this condition.

Gastric torsion is another health issue that has been known to affect Bracco Italianos, so it's vital to be aware of the symptoms and take preventative measures.

Many diseases and health conditions in Bracco Italianos are genetic, meaning they're related to the breed, so it's essential to work with your veterinarian to develop a preventive health plan.

Brushing your dog's teeth daily can prevent periodontal disease, which is a common issue in many breeds, including the Bracco Italiano.

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus is another condition that can affect Bracco Italianos, so it's crucial to be aware of the symptoms and take preventative measures.

The Bracco Italiano originates from Italy, with accounts varying as to their exact roots. Some believe the dog to be a result of pairings between mastiff-type dogs and Egyptian sight hounds, while others suggest a mixture of local Italian hounds and gundogs.

The breed was originally used to drive game into nets, but later became a more all-around flushing, pointing, and retrieving dog with the invention of guns and the change that brought to hunting.

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Their history dates back to the fourth or fifth century BCE, making them one of the oldest European breeds. The exact ancestral origin is unknown, but it's generally accepted that the breed was previously a cross between the Segugio Italian and the Asian Mastiff, which has since become extinct.

The breed was developed in northern Italy with two different varieties: the white and orange color variety known from the Piedmont region and the Roan-and-Brown from Lombardy.

If you're considering bringing a Bracco Italiano into your family, it's essential to think about your lifestyle and whether it's a good fit for this energetic breed.

The Bracco Italiano requires a strong sense of humor, as they can be quite mischievous, especially when it comes to their love of scent-based activities.

A large, secure garden is a must-have for this breed, as they're known for their airborne ninja moves and need plenty of space to run around.

Bracco Italiano owners should be fit and active, with a love for long walks, to keep up with their energetic needs.

Supervising your Bracco Italiano is crucial, as they can get into trouble if left unsupervised. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary to keep them safe.

Here are some essential care tasks to include in your Bracco Italiano's daily routine:

With regular exercise and a consistent diet, your Bracco Italiano can live a long, happy life. Be prepared to make a commitment to regular check-ups and vaccinations to keep them healthy.

Signing up for pet health insurance is a vital step in caring for your Bracco Italiano, as they'll need medical tests and procedures throughout their life.

This breed is not suitable for busy families with very small children, due to their large and boisterous nature when young. However, for outdoor, active families with older children who enjoy long walks and dog training, a Bracco Italiano can be a wonderful companion.

Training the Bracco Italiano requires patience and kindness, as they can be sensitive to harsh discipline and forceful training methods. This can result in a depressed and shut down dog who is miserable, confused and unhappy.

The breed is known to mature slowly, so it's essential to take things steadily and not rush the training process. Positive reinforcement techniques work best with Bracchi, so lean on them to hard and they will sulk.

Bracco Italiano Clubs, such as the SABI in Italy and the Bracco Italiano Club Of America (BICA) in the US, organize field trials and conformation shows. These clubs play an important role in promoting the breed and providing a community for owners and enthusiasts.

Training a Bracco Italiano requires patience and kindness. They're sensitive dogs that don't take well to harsh discipline or forceful training methods.

Positive reinforcement techniques work best with Braccos, as they're soft and affectionate animals that respond well to gentle guidance. Avoid leaning on them too hard, as they'll sulk if pushed too far.

Braccos take a while to mature, so it's essential to take things steadily and not rush the training process. They'll enjoy retrieval games, scent work, and other activities that challenge their minds and bodies.

Early socialization is crucial, especially with pets, livestock, and small children. Pay attention to teaching a solid recall and reliable retrieval to hand.

Braccos love to carry objects in their mouths, so be sure to teach them to swap for treats or toys to prevent guarding behavior. With patience, kindness, and positive reinforcement, you can develop a strong bond with your Bracco and help them become a well-behaved and loving companion.

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Clubs are a great resource for Bracco Italiano enthusiasts. The SABI (Società Amatori Bracco Italiano) is the official club for the Bracco Italiano in Italy, formed in 1949.

They organize field trials and conformation shows throughout Italy, which is a great way for owners to learn and improve their skills. The Bracco Italiano Club Of America (BICA) is the US counterpart, offering similar opportunities for owners in the States.

There are also clubs in Holland, Belgium, and the UK, which is a testament to the breed's popularity worldwide.

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The Bracco Italiano population is thriving, especially in Italy where around 600 to 700 pups are born each year.

In Italy, the breed is well-regarded among hunters for its natural abilities and excellent nose.

Worldwide, the estimated population is between 3500 to 4000 dogs.

Outside of Italy, the breed is gaining popularity, particularly in Holland and the UK.

In North America, the NAVHDA registered 102 Bracco Italianos in 2022, showing a significant growth of over 450% in the last decade.

The Bracco Italiano is a breed that's both tough and adaptable, making it a reliable hunting companion. This breed is known for its intelligence and courtesy, which makes it easy to train.

Its powerful presence is a result of its lean limbs and well-developed muscles, giving it a strong physical build.

The Bracco Italiano is a unique breed with a rich history, and there are several aspects that set it apart from other dogs. This breed has been around for over 2,400 years, with paintings and writings depicting it dating back to the 4th century BCE.

The Bracco Italiano is a highly active breed that requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom vices. This means you'll need to provide it with plenty of physical and mental challenges to keep it happy and healthy.

One of the most distinctive features of the Bracco Italiano is its strong prey drive, which means it will chase and grab things that run, including cats and children. This is something to keep in mind if you have other pets or young children in the household.

The breed is also known for its above-average intelligence and trainability, but it doesn't respond well to harsh reprimands or negative-reinforcement training. Instead, it thrives on positive reinforcement and gentle training.

Here are some key characteristics of the Bracco Italiano breed:

The Bracco Italiano is a noble breed that has been prized by the aristocracy for centuries, and it's not hard to see why. With its loving and loyal nature, it makes a wonderful companion for active families or hunters.