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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Bracco Italiano Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Bracco Italiano Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Bracco Italiano standing in grass

The Bracco Italiano dates back as early as the 4th century, when they were featured in various paintings and other pieces of artwork. Light on their feet and extremely agile, this purebred dog was designed to hunt. Their specialties are driving game into traps and flushing prey out of trees, bushes, and other hiding places.

Breed Overview

Height:

22 – 28 inches

Weight:

55 – 90 pounds

Lifespan:

12 – 13 years

Colors:

White, white and orange, white and chestnut, white and amber

Suitable for:

Hunters, farm owners, families with older children

Temperament:

Intelligent, friendly, eager to please, active

These dogs are smart, athletic, and agile, and they are popular as hunting companions. However, they can also make great pets for families with older children. They are not hard to train but persistence and patience are necessary. They typically have docile personalities during their downtime, but they are tough and resilient when it comes to traversing the outdoors.

Many think that the Bracco Italiano looks like a cross between the Bloodhound and German Shorthair Terrier, but they are a breed all their own. Are you wondering whether this breed is right for your family, or are you just curious about them overall?  We have put together a thorough Bracco Italiano breed guide right here to help answer all your questions. Keep reading to learn more.

Bracco Italiano Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Bracco Italiano Puppies

three purebred puppy dogs, Italian Bracco.
Image By: Ricantimages, Shutterstock

The average price of Bracco Italiano puppies tends to be high, depending on where they are bred, who bred them, their lineage, and their overall health condition. Puppies being sold for low prices may not be purebred or could have underlying health conditions. It is important to do your due diligence by having a veterinarian whom you personally trust check out any puppy that you are considering purchasing. A checkup will help ensure that the pup is healthy and of the lineage that the breeder claims they are. Make sure the breeder lets you visit their facilities to ensure they have ethical breeding practices.

When you bring a Bracco Italiano puppy home, be ready to have a friendly dog as part of your family. They are very active dogs so they will be needing plenty of space to run around in. With enough mental stimulation and exercise, your Bracco Italiano will grow into a happy and healthy dog.


Temperament & Intelligence of the Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano is a strong, agile, focused dog that loves to please their owners and enjoys nothing more than bringing down prey, especially birds. These are affectionate dogs that love attention and look forward to every moment that they get to spend with their human family members. Bracco Italianos tend to be calm and cuddly when spending their time inside the house.

However, when they get outdoors, they expect to stretch their legs and get plenty of exercise. They will alert their owners when things seem to be “off” on the property, but they are not big barkers and do not make efficient guard dogs for families. Overall, these are active dogs that enjoy a life full of outdoor activities just as much as they do snuggly indoor bonding sessions.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

With spunk and a happy-go-lucky attitude, the Bracco Italiano gets along excellently with children and will become a lifetime playmate. They are protective over babies and toddlers, yet they always seem to be gentle around kids. They enjoy spending time with people of any age, whether young or old. They are not suitable for seniors, though, because they need so much exercise every day. However, people and families who are active and committed to daily walks and regular outings should appreciate having this breed around.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

This breed does get along well with other dogs if they start socializing while they are still puppies. They can also get along with household cats, but they must be taught to do so from an early age and they should never be left unsupervised with a cat, whether indoors or out. Due to their high prey drive, they should not be exposed to loose rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, or other small pets because a hunt might take place.

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Things to Know When Owning a Bracco Italiano

There are still many things to uncover about the Bracco Italiano, such as their diet requirements and their training abilities. Here are all the specifics that every potential Bracco Italiano owner should know.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Bracco Italianos are highly active and require high-protein commercial dog food to thrive. Look for a food that includes real meat, such as chicken, beef, or turkey, as the first ingredient. Fish is great for dogs that are not allergic to it. Foods that include real whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will provide your pooch with the most nutrition that will keep them effectively fueled and healthy as time goes on. Fresh, clean water should always be available, both indoors and out, to ensure that this active dog does not get dehydrated during a long day of exploring, playing, and working.

Exercise 🐕

These dogs have high energy levels, but they do not require hours of exercise every day. A 30-minute walk and time at a dog park or playing fetch in the yard is typically suitable. However, some dogs of this breed require more exercise, and some require less. It all depends on their specific temperaments and lineage.

Bracco Italiano running at the beach
Image By: naturschnecke, Pixabay

Training 🎾

This dog breed is intelligent and loves to please, which makes them great for training. They should start obedience training while still puppies to ensure that they know how to behave in social settings as they grow and become adults. Obedience training should be practiced regularly throughout the dog’s life to reinforce the skills that they have learned. Professional training is a good idea for owners not experienced with dog training. Other types of training that the Bracco Italiano tends to take well to include agility, hunting, herding, and shows.

Grooming ✂️

These dogs are effective at grooming themselves, but they can use help when it comes to keeping their coats soft and shiny and minimizing shedding throughout the year. Their coats should be combed or brushed at least twice a week, as this will get rid of dead hair and dirt. Their large ears should be regularly cleaned with a cloth or cotton ball, as their size makes it easy for dirt to hide within the folds. They should get enough exercise to keep their nails naturally trimmed, so no cutting is typically required.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Many of the dangerous health conditions that the Bracco Italiano faced in the past have been bred out of this dog, but there are lingering health conditions that any Bracco Italiano could be prone to.

Minor Conditions
Serious Conditions
  • Eye entropion
  • Eye ectropion
  • Kidney disease

Male vs. Female

Like with all dog breeds, female Bracco Italianos are usually slightly smaller than their male counterparts. While females stand between 22 and 25 inches tall, males tend to stand between 23 and 28 inches tall. Females are usually more independent than males, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule by any means. Some say that males are more affectionate, while some say that females are more aggressive when it comes to hunting. However, the true nature of any Bracco Italiano, whether male or female, all depends on their unique personality and upbringing.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Bracco Italiano

1. Hunting Is Their Passion

It is widely known that Bracco Italianos were bred for hunting. However, it is less known just how serious about hunting these dogs are. If not properly trained, they will go after just about any small animal that runs or flies, whether it is a cat, chipmunk, squirrel, or bird.


2. They Love Giving Affection

Although these dogs are true hunters at heart, they can be extremely affectionate. In fact, they prefer to spend their time hanging out and cuddling with their human companions when they are not out being active. They rely on being around humans so much, they should not be left at home alone for long periods; otherwise, they could become anxious and destructive.


3. They Were at Risk of Extinction

These dogs were highly popular among farmers, hunters, and families during the Renaissance period, but they began to disappear in the 1800s because breeders were having trouble with health issues in their puppies and dogs. Breeders corrected most of the problems and brought the breed back from despair. However, the only place where the breed is not considered rare is in Italy.

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Final Thoughts

The Bracco Italiano is an excellent hunting dog that also has awesome qualities that many households look for in a family pet. They can be raised to hunt, be companions, or do both, depending on what the family needs. These dogs are not for owners who expect them to spend all day at home alone. They need affection, attention, and companionship regularly throughout the day to thrive. Do you think that this dog breed is right for your family and household environment? Let us know why or why not in the comments section.

Related Reads and Breeds:


Featured Image Credit: olgagorovenko, Shutterstock

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