Bracco Italiano
About Bracco Italiano
Perfect for those who love the outdoors, the Bracco Italiano is a charming companion with a distinctive wrinkled face and a sleek, short coat. Known for their gentle and affectionate nature, these dogs are ideally suited for families, including those with children or other pets, as they thrive on companionship and social interaction. With their high energy levels, Braccos benefit from at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise, including activities like long walks, runs, or engaging games of fetch to keep their minds sharp and bodies fit.
Grooming is a breeze with this breed; a weekly brush will keep their moderate shedding in check and maintain their healthy coat. Highly trainable thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to please, they respond well to positive reinforcement methods and consistent training routines.
Keep an eye on common health concerns such as hip dysplasia and ear infections, and ensure regular vet check-ups. Typically weighing between 55 to 88 pounds and living 10 to 12 years, the Bracco Italiano is a lovable, loyal addition to any active household.
Interesting Facts
The Bracco Italiano, often referred to as the Italian Pointer, is one of the oldest pointing breeds, with its documented history going back as far as the fourth or fifth century BC. This period is denoted by breathtaking frescoes discovered in Sicilian catacombs, which depict dogs remarkably similar to today's Bracco.
Despite their hunting origins, the Bracco Italiano possesses a unique dual-speed gait. Known as the “Italian Trot,” this breed’s movement is a double suspension gallop when running fast, and a unique, pace-like gait when moving slowly, which enables them to conserve energy during long hunts.
Bracco Italianos have an incredibly strong sense of smell, which is put into good use in truffle-hunting. They're known to be fantastic truffle dogs due to their patience and delicate handling of these valuable fungi.
The breed nearly faced extinction during the late 1800s, where their numbers dramatically dropped due to crossbreeding. It wasn't until early 20th century Italy when breeders sought to rescue and restore the breed to its original traits and characteristics.
Celebrities are not immune to the charm of the Bracco Italiano, with famous British chef Jamie Oliver being a known owner. Jamie's Bracco, DJ, frequently made appearances on his Instagram, creating a buzz among his dog-loving followers about the then relatively unknown breed.
Centuries-old Italian pointer, the Bracco Italiano appears in Renaissance hunting treatises and court paintings, prized by nobility for elegant looks and tireless field work.
Two regional types - lighter Piedmontese and heavier Lombard - were blended, producing today's breed with white-orange or chestnut roan coats and noble Roman noses.
Known for an elastic, ground-covering trot and high nose carriage, Bracchi excel at air-scenting game in warm climates and sparse cover.
Before firearms, they indicated game for net hunters and falconers; later they pointed and retrieved, carrying birds gently with famously soft mouths.
In 2022, the AKC recognized the Bracco Italiano as its 200th breed, spotlighting this affectionate, sensitive gun dog's rise from Italian fields to global rings.
← Scroll horizontally to see all facts →
