Bracco Italiano
The Bracco Italiano is one of the oldest pointing breeds in the world — documented in Italian Renaissance art from the 14th century, used by the Gonzaga and Medici families, and gifted to European royalty as a prized hunting companion.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Italy
Lifespan
10–14 years
Weight
25–40 kg (55–88 lbs)
Height
55–67 cm (22–26 in)
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active large gun dog.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Bracco Italiano is one of the oldest pointing breeds in the world — documented in Italian Renaissance art from the 14th century, used by the Gonzaga and Medici families, and gifted to European royalty as a prized hunting companion. It is the oldest and most noble of the Italian gun dogs, combining the pointing instinct with a unique "suspended trot" — a distinctive, elastic, very long-striding movement that is unlike any other pointing breed. The Bracco was nearly extinct by the early 20th century and was saved by Ferdinando Delor de Ferrabouc in the 1950s. It gained AKC recognition in 2022.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A large, substantial, aristocratic pointing dog with a short, dense coat in white and orange or white and chestnut. The distinctive head — long, angular, with pendulous upper lips (flews) and pendulous ears creating an almost hound-like facial expression — is unique among pointing breeds. The "suspended trot" movement is instantly recognisable.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Gentle, docile, and affectionate — one of the most family-friendly of the large pointing breeds. Sociable and easy to live with. Determined and enthusiastic in the field.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous exercise daily. Very low grooming. Ear cleaning weekly. The unique suspended trot is best appreciated at exercise — a beautiful breed in movement.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloat (GDV) — elevated in deep-chested large breed. Renal amyloidosis — elevated in some lines. Eye conditions.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The Bracco Italiano was documented being given as a diplomatic gift between Italian noble families — the Gonzaga of Mantua routinely gave Braccos to French and Spanish royalty as prized diplomatic presents in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Bracco Italiano's movement is described as a "suspended trot" — each stride is so long and elastic that all four feet are briefly off the ground simultaneously, creating a unique flowing, floating gait unlike any other pointing breed.
