Bracco Italiano: one of the oldest breeds

Bracco Italiano is considered to be one of the oldest breeds, and some believe that it may be the ancestor of all European pointers.

The Bracco Italiano is an enthusiastic and intelligent breed. It is quite widely known, but it is really native to its home country, so it is a rare breed. It is also known as the timeless breed, because has changed relatively little over the centuries.

History of the Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano has a particularly long history, dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries. It is not known exactly what breeds were used to create its direct ancestor, and there are several hypotheses about this. According to some sources, it was a mixture of two ancient dog breeds, the Asiatic Mastiff and the Italian Hound, while others claim that it was a love child of the Pharaoh’s dog, the Mastiff or the Persian Mastiff. But they agree that it has evolved mainly in two areas. Presumably, the dogs from the Piedmont region were lighter and smaller with an orange-white colour, while the variation from the Lombardy region was a heavier and taller dog with a brownish colour. Over time, these two variants merged, and in the 1920s they were officially merged in the 1920s, the breeds were officially merged to create the breed we know today.

The renaissance of the breed

It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that the Italian Vizsla was bred primarily for hunting, specifically for hunting birds.. Originally he had to net the birds, but with the advent of guns his role changed, and so did his working style. But it was still a much-loved breed of hunting dog, because it did its job so well. They were the favourite dogs of Italian nobility and were bred by famous families such as the Medici and the Gonzaga. The breed was held in such high esteem that it was a suitable gift for royalty. During the Renaissance, it became an even more widespread hunting dog among the aristocracy throughout Europe, and was, so to speak, the breed’s heyday.

On the brink of extinction

Popularity has had its downside. Improper breeding practices and reckless crossbreeding have led to a breed that has threatened its viability for hunting, and has also had health problems. By the end of the 19th century, the breed was on the verge of extinction. Fortunately, a number of enthusiastic breeders did not let it go. Among them, Ferdinand Delour de Ferrabouc, who wrote the first breed standard, was one of the most prominent in the preservation of the breed.

Fortunately, their efforts proved successful, and the breed was reinvigorated, although not nearly as numerous as in its heyday. The FCI adopted the Bracco Italiano in 1956. Interestingly, despite being a breed with a rich and long history, it was only in the 1980s that it made its paw in the UK and in 1994 in the US.

Breed standard

A larger bodied dog breed with a powerful and proportionate appearance. The height at the withers is usually 55-67 cm and the weight is 27-40 kg. Its light, agile movement is highly prized by breeders. The coat is dense, short and close to the body, colour can be white, white orange or amber with yellow spots, splashed with white orange dots, splashed with white brown, or with a chestnut brown ‘coat’ on a white background. Skin is thick, somewhat loose but not too “saggy”, some light wrinkles allowed but not too many.

The back is strong and broad, the loin short and muscular, the belly not tucked up, almost horizontal with the back, and the tail slightly sloping. Chest deep, legs parallel. Head of medium length, moderate stop, brownish or pinkish nose, in harmony with the colour of the coat. Ears longer, drooping and flush with the head, with rounded tips. Eyes yellow or brown. The tail thins towards the end, but this was common practice for a very long time (even to this day in hunting dogs), to dock the tail for two thirds of its length which is about 15-25 cm from the base of the tail.

Character of the Bracco Italiano

An intelligent and reliable breed. The Bracco Italiano has a high energy level but is calm and balanced, although somewhat independent and can be stubborn at times. He can be taught well with patience and understanding, as he is a clever breed, but sometimes he is a little slow to grasp what is being asked of him or doesn’t see the point. So consistency and firmness are very important, but also tenderness, patience, calmness and a positive attitude. Do not leave things to him, because his independence can make things go wrong. Nor should he be punished harshly, as he is sensitive and gentle (which is not recommended for other breeds).

Somewhat distrustful of strangers, but not aggressive. Playful, yet not always swarming around the owner to be handled. He barks relatively little, but if he senses something unusual he may report it.

Ideal environment

Although the Bracco Italiano is an excellent dog breed, it is not for everyone and everywhere. With an experienced owner, who knows the breed and is willing to spend as much and as little time with the dog as they should, these special vizslas will make a loyal companion. They are family friendly, get on well with children and like to be close to their owners. They are generally recommended for garden homes, but not necessarily only for outdoor use, as mentioned above, they need to be close to people even if they don’t always want to be in their immediate vicinity or snuggled up on the sofa.

They are best suited to a home where their hunting skills are harnessed and they are given a task.

– is written in the AKC breed description.

However, it is not compulsory to hunt with it, but it is important to ensure that it gets enough activity from its owner, as it needs it in any case. Without it, it will not do him any good, and neither will its owner, as it may resort to destructive behaviour when bored. He gets on well with other dogs, but with his strong hunting instinct, cats are out of the question unless the owner is aware of the work involved in bringing the two animals together.

Caring for the Bracco Italiano

Grooming is really easy, with short hairs that require little daily care. The ears should be cleaned relatively often, as long, droopy ears are prone to infection and inflammation. The Bracco Italiano can be prone to dental problems, so establishing a good dental care routine is essential. Of course, the grooming routine should not exclude the maintenance of its claws and occasional bathing.

Common health problems

Although it is generally more likely that an Italian Vizsla will be healthy, there are some health problems that are relatively common in the breed, so it is prone to them. These include:

• dental problems;
• overweight, obesity;
• gastric torsion;
• dysplasia of the elbows and hips;
• allergy;
• entropy: the dog’s eyelids are turned inwards, so his eyelashes irritate his eyeball. Over time, this condition can lead to loss of vision and is accompanied by pain and discomfort. If caught early, it can be corrected.
• Ectropion: outward turning of the eyelid. Often seen in “leatherier” dogs, such as basset hounds. It does not cause as much discomfort as entropion, although the conjunctiva that becomes visible as a result of the lesion is more vulnerable in this condition, more easily infected and, in more severe cases, the cornea may be damaged. Surgical correction may not be necessary if it is not excessive and does not cause problems for the animal;
• hernia;
• peritonitis.