Bracco Italiano
The Bracco Italiano is a very rare breed of verstile hunting dog that originates from Italy. This dog is one of my new favourites. They seem to look like they are a mix between a blood hound and a pointer, although unlike them in temperment or behaviour. In fact it is thought that this breed originates from ancient mastiff and coursing hound lines. They can be dated back as far as the 4th and 5th centuries BC.
As like all hunting dogs these guys will need a lot of training. They were bred to work and hunt with a gunmen. A walking mans dog. Because human company is rooted in their breed makeup, they make great companions. This kind of breed does best with a very active family or leader. A Bracco owner must commit to spending time with their new dog. As an owner of a gun-dog it is critical that you exhaust their hunting instincts through a variety of activities. An urban Bracco Italiano would find a fun game of hide and seek with its humans in the park a blast. It would also love to retrieve a ball. It is a breed that loves to use its nose and loves to sniff things out. Bracco’s have a lot of patience and can often outlast most humans in their antics.
As an adult, a Bracco can weight around 50-85 pounds. Although this dog is more common is Europe, it is still considered very rare in North America. Because it is fairly rare, the lines of this breed have been maintained over the years. Because of cautious breeding by professionals the breed has limited health concerns. Although it is not common, health issues that have been found in the breed are:
Dysplasia - Where joint ball and sockets degenerate
Bloat/Gastric Torsion - Occurs in deep chested breeds. Simply put, gases in the stomach cause the stomach to turn over onto itself, shutting down blood supply.
Common Eye Problems & Ear Infections
It is best to research a breeder and ask as many questions as you can regarding health testing and past experiences that they have within their own lines. I always tell people to consult your vet and do your research. Many breeds, including this one, have local breed clubs which are a wealth of knowledge and can hopefully refer you to an exceptional breeder.
best way to contact me is via email info@thehousehound.ca
