The Bracco Italiano is a breed of pointing dog from Italy. This powerful dog has a square frame, with the height at the withers roughly equal to the length of the body, long muscular limbs and a stylish easy gait.
They have large sculpted heads with long ears and upper lips that hang below the lower jaw. Their coat is short, glossy and elastic and most commonly seen in white and orange or liver roan. Developed as tough hunting dogs, the Bracco Italiano is active and tireless, requiring lots of exercise. They are also steadfast, intelligent and affectionate, making them wonderful and gentle companions for families. Although content at home, this is essentially a working dog which is best suited to pursuing life as a pointing dog, although they will be equally happy to be part of an active family household. Once home, and energy all expended, they make calm and loving family dogs.
History
Native to Italy, the Bracco Italiano, is a large pointing dog from Italy. The origins of the breed are somewhat unknown, although it is generally thought that they derive from a combination of hounds and gundogs, some of which are now extinct. Popular in the Renaissance, by the late 19th century the breed had massively declined in numbers, thought to be the result of overbreeding which had made the breed too heavy, leading to a myriad of health problems. Diligent breeders gradually rebuilt the breed, bringing it back from extinction. Today it is popular still as a pointing dog in Italy and in the show ring in both the UK and America.
