Bracco Italiano
Also known as Bracco italiano
- Height at the withers
- 55 to 67 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 40 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Italy
- FCI group
- 7 · Pointing dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A large Italian pointing dog, noble and powerful, with a chiseled head, long drooping ears and a white coat, plain or marked with orange or brown. From an old Italian line, it is known for its keen nose and its steady point.
History and origins
One of the oldest pointing dogs in Europe, it appears in Italian art as early as the Renaissance (14th and 15th centuries), notably at the courts of the Medici and the Gonzaga. Bred to hunt game birds across Italy’s varied terrain, it excels at both pointing and retrieving.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 14 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Entropion and ectropion
- Ear infections
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- A little, 3 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Bracco Italiano FAQ
How big does the Bracco Italiano get?
The Bracco Italiano stands 55 to 67 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 40 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Bracco Italiano shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Bracco Italiano live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Bracco Italiano need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Bracco Italiano good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Bracco Italiano live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 14 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
