Bracco Italiano - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Medium - large

Height: 55 - 67 cm (21.5 - 26.5 inches)

Weight: 25 - 40 kg (55 - 88 lb)

Life Span: 12 years

Grooming: Easy

Exercise: Necessary

Feeding: Medium

Temperament: Gentle & sensitive

Country of Origin: Italy

AKC Group: Not registered

Other Names: Italian Pointer, Italian Setter, Italian Pointing Dog

Temperament:

The Bracco Italiano is intelligent, compliant, gentle and calm. Bracco Italianos do not mature mentally until about two to three years of age. They are very sensitive and gentle-natured in the house and become close friends with children. Bracco Italianos don't tend to cause any difficulties with other dogs or household pets.

Grooming:

The Bracco Italiano's coat is easy to maintain and only needs occasional brushing to remove the dead hairs during moulting. The long, wrinkled ears of the Bracco Italiano can be sensitive and need regular attention to keep the passages clean

Exercise:

Bracco Italianos require regular exercise and need sufficient space/freedom. Ideally they would have a large backyard to roam around in, they are not suitable for a flat or apartment lifestyle. Bracco Italianos enjoy swimming and retrieving and once they are fully grown they can run alongside a cycle.

History:

This unique looking breed came from Piedmont and Lombardy. It is unclear what breeds the Bracco Italiano evolved from, but it is thought that crosses between the Segugio and an ancient Asiatic mastiff resulted in this breed. While others say that the Bracco Italiano descended from the St. Hubert Hound.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Robust and graceful with a serious, sensitive expression.

Color: White, white with orange, amber or brown marks. White flecked with orange or brown. Roan.

Coat: Short, dense and shiny hair.

Tail: Docked and tapering.

Ears: Set well back, hanging and long.

Body: Arched ribs, broad, muscular back with strong, sloping shoulders.

Additional Comments:

Bracco Italianos require gentle training and are very sensitive to the sound of their handlers voice. If training is too tough it has an adverse effect and they will take longer to pick things up.

Owners need to avoid over-taxing Bracco Italianos physically during the early growth stage. For example, limit them going up and down stairs/steps.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/bracco_italiano/