Bracco Italiano
Group: Gundog
Size: Large
Coat length: Short
Grooming required: Once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Large House
Garden size: Large
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: More than an hour per day
The Bracco Italiano is the Italian Pointer with a sleek and powerful body similar in shape to that of German Pointers. However, the head is totally different, much larger with long, dangling ears and floppy jowls that are more like the head of a Bloodhound. Their short coat comes in brown and white and orange and white.
They originate from Italy where they were bred from a combination of hounds and gundogs to produce a dog with extra stamina. They will mark out game in the typical "pointing" pose. They are intelligent and eager to please but obedience training is a must; they can be stubborn.
They are naturally a people-friendly dog and often bond closely with children. They can be taught to get along well with other animals but have a strong hunting instinct. Relaxed at home, they enjoy exercise and especially hunting. Ideally they should be given the opportunity to practise their hunting skills to exercise body and brain.
Their short, sleek coat is easy to maintain. They are prone to hip dysplasia, kidney disease and bloat.