The Bracco Italiano or the Italian Pointer is considered to be the oldest pointer from Europe. They are a very rare dog breed, and finding a breeder outside Italy or some other European countries can be difficult. But, if you manage to get one, you’ll be surprised how affectionate and eager these dogs are to work. They are tireless, even-tempered, and gentle. However, because they were bred for thousands of years to work independently, their aloofness might not be everyone’s cup of tea. 

1. Size

Both males and females have the same breed standard measures:

• Height: from 21 to 27 inches (53 to 68 cm)
• Weight: from 55 to 90 pounds (25 to 40 kg)

Male Bracco Italiano dogs are usually a bit taller and heavier-looking than females. No matter the size, both show powerful gait and fast trot. They look powerful and are well-adapted to all kinds of hunting. They are truly versatile sporting dogs.

2. Color

The Bracco Italiano has three coat colors:

• White
• White and orange
• White and chestnut

As for the markings, they’ve got one – roan. This type of marking means there are diffuse patterns of white coat color and other pigmentation.

3. Social Traits

The Bracco Italiano is generally a friendly dog. They get along well with other dogs, but just like any other dog breed no matter how friendly they are, they need proper early socialization. They are also good with children, and because of their gentle and calm nature, they make great family pets.

However, it is important to remember that we need to teach children how to behave and play with dogs to avoid any accidents or anyone getting hurt. The Bracco Italiano is not an aggressive dog. They have been wonderful gundogs and family dogs for thousands of years. But, socialization and setting boundaries are a must.

Because of their hunting nature, this dog breed needs to be introduced to other animals (like cats or rabbits) while they are still puppies. Only through teaching them from a young age that other animals are not prey, can we bring another animal into the household.  

Good with other dogs: yes

Good with children: yes

Good with other animals: needs socialization

4. Trainability

Bracco is a trainable dog, but you have to understand they have strong hunting-dog genes. They are gundogs and they use their sense of smell to investigate, explore, and track prey. This is something we can’t turn off like pressing a button. We have to work with it.

This means they need lots of patience and an interesting reward system. Use some special find-the-treat games as a reward for their good behavior or when they do well in obedience or any other type of training.

Bracco is also not easy to train recall. It’s again because of their hunting nature. If they smell something, they won’t stop until they explore it. That’s why it is not recommended to walk them off-leash in crowded or unsafe places.

You also need to know they are noisy. Bracco Italiano dogs love to bark and it is another thing in their nature – we can’t erase it. 

5. Activity Needs

The Bracco Italiano needs a lot of daily exercise. According to the official Kennel Club recommendation, they need more than 2 hours of exercise daily. But, what’s more important is how you exercise your dog.

This breed can’t do well if you only walk them for 2 hours every day without letting them sniff and explore, meet new dogs, or smell new scents. They also won’t do well if you give them the freedom to run in the yard all day without doing anything with them or without giving them a task.

They need structure, a job, and possibly with you. You don’t have to go hunting with them, of course, but go on a meaningful walk. Use the time with your dog to play and interact with them. Show them they’ve been good dogs when they find something (that’s not a bad thing to bring), run with them, play fetch, chase, etc.

That’s how we give them both physical and mental stimulation. Both are much needed to keep the Bracco Italiano healthy and happy. 

6. Feeding

The amount of food they will need depends on many factors. Some of the factors are health, age, and activity levels. If you have a very active adult Bracco, they will need 4 to 5 cups of kibble every day. They might even need more, depending on the activity. If they go hunting all day or on an all-day long hike, they’ll need more food. On the other hand, if they have their regular 2-hour walks combined with playtime, usually, giving them up to 4 cups a day is enough.

The important part is to divide the amount into two meals – one in the morning and one in the evening. Also, monitor your dog’s weight. We want them to be normal weight, not overweight or underweight. If you’re still not sure, you can always consult the veterinarian. 

7. Grooming

The Bracco Italiano has a short and smooth coat type. They shed, but not too much. They also don’t require special dog brushes or grooming techniques. Because of their short and smooth fur, you can use a hand glove or a bristle brush. They need brushing once a week.

Besides brushing, they will need an occasional bath, depending on how dirty they are after the walk or whether they’ve got a strong dog odor or not. Bracco will also need regular nail trimming, approximately once a month. Apart from that, it is important to check and clean their ears regularly.

8. Possible Problems

Generally speaking, Bracco Italiano is a healthy dog breed. As a matter of fact, there are no recommended tests to be done, according to the AKC. Of course, that doesn’t mean they can’t get sick. Just like any other dogs, they can also have some health issues, such as:

• Hip dysplasia
• Entropion
• Ectropion
• Cataracts 
• Kidney problems 
• Bloat (GDV)

They can also suffer from ear infections. But we can prevent this by checking and cleaning their ears regularly. We should especially be careful not to leave their ears wet after cleaning, but dry them thoroughly.

Final Thoughts

The Bracco Italiano is not the first sporting dog that pops into your mind. They are rare and as such not very popular. But, they are incredible dogs. Affectionate and hard-working versatile sporting dog breed. However, they need someone who has a lot of patience and time because these dogs mature quite late – it takes them around 3 years to fully mature.

Bracco also needs lots of daily exercise, they bark, and need something to do. If not, they can quickly turn their boredom into destructive behavior. So, even though they are amazing as family pets and sporting dogs, they are not for everyone.

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