Learn More About Bracco Italiano

Summary

The Bracco Italiano is an impressive presence, a combination of strength and grace. This medium to large dog has an elegant, muscular build with long legs and a deep chest. Its head is expressive with a pronounced stop and long, drooping ears typical of many hunting dog breeds. The skin is rather loose and forms a slight fold on the neck. Its coat is short, dense and shiny and requires minimal grooming. The breed belongs to FCI Group 7, the pointers. The Bracco Italiano comes in two different lines: the lighter, faster work line and the slightly heavier show line. Although both lines share the same basic features, the working lines tend to be a little slimmer and more active, while the show lines can have a slightly more robust appearance.

Character

The Bracco Italiano is a very people-oriented breed. He is extremely loyal and affectionate and loves spending time with his family. His intelligence and eagerness to please make him an easily trainable dog, capable of both completing demanding tasks and being a relaxed companion. Its innate hunting instinct makes the Bracco Italiano an excellent working dog, especially in hunting and tracking. However, these abilities can also cause it to exhibit strong prey-catching behavior. Therefore, you should be aware that without appropriate distraction or exercise, he may tend to hunt smaller animals on his own. However, this does not mean that the Bracco Italiano is a hyperactive dog. On the contrary, he has a rather calm temperament and can adapt well to life in an apartment or in the city as long as he receives enough exercise and mental stimulation. Working line Bracco Italianos tend to be more active and require more mental and physical stimulation than their show line counterparts. However, both lines are very playful and enjoy spending time with their humans, whether playing, training or just relaxing. The Bracco Italiano is generally good with children and other animals as long as he is well socialized from an early age. Despite his hunting instincts, he can learn to live peacefully with smaller pets if he is raised with them from an early age. An important aspect to keep in mind is that the Bracco Italiano tends to be very attached to his people and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. It is therefore important to teach him early on that it is okay to stay alone and to provide him with enough activity when you are not at home. In terms of alertness, the Bracco Italiano typically displays a medium level of alertness. He will likely alert you to unusual noises or movements, but he is not overly barky or territorial. This makes the Bracco Italiano a versatile companion that is able to perform demanding hunting and tracking tasks as well as being a loving family dog. His people-oriented, loyal nature and intelligence make him an ideal companion for those looking for an active, yet adaptable dog.

What to Expect

The Bracco Italiano is often described as a thoroughbred hunting dog. They are friendly, calm dogs, but due to their hunting motivation they belong in experienced hands.

Care

The Bracco Italiano can live well in both the city and the country, provided he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He gets along well with children and other pets, including cats, if he is well socialized from an early age. However, you should always ensure that interactions between dogs and small children are monitored to ensure the safety of both.

Training & Education

The Bracco Italiano is an intelligent dog with a natural ability to learn and please. Training should be positive and reward based to keep his motivation high. He can be trained to do a variety of activities and dog sports, including obedience, agility and of course hunting tests. Because the Bracco Italiano is a hunting dog, it can tend to react too intensely to balls or other throwable objects. Therefore, it is important to ensure that play with such objects is controlled and that he learns to control impulses and tolerate frustration. It is also important to offer him alternatives, such as searching or nose work, that satisfy his natural hunting instincts in a controlled and safe environment.

Nutrition & Grooming

A Bracco Italiano's diet should be balanced and tailored to his needs. High-quality dog ​​food with a good ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals is crucial. Some Bracco Italianos tend to be overweight, so it is important to monitor feeding amounts and ensure regular exercise. The Bracco Italiano has a short, shiny coat without an undercoat that is quite easy to care for. A weekly brushing will help remove dead hair and keep the coat clean and healthy. He doesn't shed particularly heavily, but a bit of hair loss is to be expected, especially during the changing seasons. Regarding the climate in Germany, the Bracco Italiano can adapt well, although it should be protected from the cold in the colder months as it has no undercoat.