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Italiaanse Pointer

De Bracco Italiano

History

The Bracco Italiano is one of the only two native Italian Gundog breeds. The other is the Spinone. It belongs to the Hunt, Point and Retrieve Group of dogs. The Bracco is an ancient breed with writings about it dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries B.C. It is considered an antecedent of many of todays modern sporting dogs. They are a strong, deep chested dog with muscular hindquarters. They range in height from 21.5" to 26.5" inches and weigh from 55 to 88 pounds. Their coat is glossy, short, dense and fine. Their colors are all white, orange and white, orange roan, chestnut and white or chestnut and roan. They have a docile and gentle temperament yet a strong working nature. Training a Bracco requires patience and a calm nature. They are intelligent and quick to learn but can be stubborn and will lose ground if not handled correctly. They have superb noses and hold a staunch point as well as retrieve well to hand. They are excellent family pets living in the house and adapt to the outdoors just as well. Their calm good nature does not mean they can not be a deterrent to unwanted strangers with their sometimes used deep bark. They are tireless in the field and appear not to expend energy unnecessarily. They are strong swimmers and can prove to be a very Versatile dog.

General Appearance Strong, well balanced, powerful hunting dog, of noble appearance. Almost square, well muscled, with deep chest. Distinctive, sculpted head with chiselling under eyes.

Characteristics *Strong and untiring, working in all types of terrain. Excellent scenting abilities. Dignified and intelligent.

Temperament * Hardy and adaptable, gentle and even tempered.

Head and Skull Long angular and narrow at the zygomatic arches. Cheeks lean. Seen from the front, sides of muzzle converge slightly. Foreface of good width. Pronounced occiput and slight stop. Median line visible to mid skull. Measurement from nose to stop equal to that from stop to occiput. In profile, muzzle deep, straight or slightly arched. Well chiselled below the eyes. Viewed from the side, the planes of the muzzle and skull are divergent. Nose large and spongy, protruding slightly over thin lips. Corners of lips marked but not pendulous.

Eyes Soft expression, fairly large, oval, with close fitting eyelids. Neither protruding nor too deep set. Dark ochre or brown, depending on coat colour.

Ears * Set on level with corner of eyes. Leather extend to tip of nose. Supple and folded inwards. Base rather narrow, widening out but lying close to cheeks. Slightly rounded tips.

Mouth * Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck * Powerful, well-rounded, moderately short, widening towards the shoulders, with distinctive divided dewlap.

Forequarters Strong, Shoulders long, well muscled and well laid back. Well defined withers. Top of shoulder blades well separated. Forelegs strong and straight with good, oval bone and well defined tendons. Pasterns of good length, slightly sloping. Point of elbow lies directly below top of withers.

Body * Overall appearance almost square. Length of body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, equal to or very slightly longer than height at withers. Chest broad, deep, reaching to the level of elbows. Well sprung ribs. Loin wide and slightly arched, short and well muscled. Topline slopes very slightly down from raised withers to middle of back, without dipping, rising slightly to broad, muscular croup. Slight tuck-up.

Hindquarters Thighs long, parallel, muscular with rear edge almost straight. Good bend of stifles. Rear pasterns relatively short and lean with good width between the hocks.

Feet * Strong, slightly oval, tight and well arched. Nails tone with coat colour. Dewclaws acceptable and double dewclaws tolerated.

Tail * Docked: Covers genitals. Set on as continuation of croupline. Thick at base. Straight with a tendency to taper. When moving, carried horizontally or slightly lower.
Undocked: Carried horizontally. May be slightly curved but never held high or carried bent over the back.

Gait and Movement True moving with powerful drive from hindquarters. Capable of untiring, extended fast trot. Head carried raised above topline.

Coat * Short, dense and glossy. Shorter and finer on head, ears and front part of legs and feet. Skin tough, but elastic. Pigment of skin, eyelids, nose, lips and pads - pale pink to dark brown, depending on coat colour, but never black.

Colour * White. White with orange, amber or chestnut markings. White may be speckled. Roan with solid markings. If chestnut, a warm shade with a metallic sheen is preferred. Symmetrical facial mask preferred, absence tolerated.

Size Height at withers: Dogs 58-67cms (22,3/4 - 26,1/4 ins), Bitches 55-62 cms (21,3/4 - 24,1/2 ins). Weight 25-40 kgs (55-88lbs), in proportion to height.

Faults * Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness should with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note * Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.