Dog World Article Feb ‘15
The Bracco Italiano’s origins are unclear but they are thought to have been developed from
the Egyptian hound and the Mollosus or Persian Mastiff. There is, however, no doubt that
the Bracco Italiano is a very ancient breed. He is mentioned in writings of the 4th and 5th
centuries and was accepted as a distinct breed in the Middle Ages. Records from the court
of France list chestnut Bracchi as a gift from Italy in 1527, Bracchi were a favourite of the
Medici and Gonzaga families. The Bracco Italiano was also the preferred breed, used for
hunting feathered game, of the Italian aristocracy during the renaissance period. Bracchi can
be found behind many of today’s gundog breeds. The chestnut (larger) and the orange
(smaller) Bracco were originally two separate breeds but were, over time, combined to
produce a dog of more uniform size.
Originally bred to drive birds in to nets the development of the gun changed the working
method of the Bracco to that seen today. The predominant gait of the breed is the trot.
Short periods of gallop are permitted while hunting but once on a scent the movement
returns to a trot. For the Bracco scent is everything and the hunt is a mental process which
is enabled by this gait. ‘Whilst moving the nose is carried naturally above the topline. The
trot is long and brisk, the tail carried horizontally or slightly lower, moving rhythmically from
side to side. ‘The overall deportment of the dog is noble, imposing, alert but calm, erect but
slightly forward balanced’ (from the Italian Working Standard). This natural
deportment/movement should be looked for in the show ring too. A superb HPR his
popularity as a working gundog is growing steadily.
The breed’s temperament is derived very much from its job as an HPR gundog. They have an
active mind and body, both of which need to be exercised regularly. They can be stubborn
and sensitive, harsh handling has no place with this breed. They also have a strong hunting
instinct which can lead them astray. But in knowledgeable, patient hands that take the time
to understand the breed they can make an excellent working partner, family dog and
companion. In my opinion they are not a kennel dog, their need for contact with you is too
great. There are no great health problems with the breed so far, although there does seem
to be some issues with skin sensitivity. The usual health checks, hips, elbows, eyes, should
be made before breeding or purchase of a puppy
Liz and Jonathan Shaw (Sentling) first introduced the breed to the UK in 1989. They kept the
breed close trying to ensure their working ability was appreciated and established. They
imported nine dogs and had one litter in quarantine. It was eleven years before another UK
kennel produced a litter. The kennels that had the first litters, imported dogs, pioneered the
breed in Import Register and produced Bracchi successful for others also providing
foundation stock include Braccanza - Jan and Rod Hayward, Gunstrux - Jo Norman, Gunsyn Lynne Bowley, Homstar - Phil and Lynne March: Indijazz - Emma Towns and Bonario my own
kennel. In the field June Laing’s Ceannacroc Bracchi were also making a mark. Other early
kennels include Ardenstorm - John and Hazel Abraham, Curlabull - Mik and Mechelle
Jacques and Shaneco - Edna Craske.
The journey to CC status has taken 25 years, moving from Import Register in 2008, this
probably seems a long time to some but for those of us there from the early days we do
worry that the knowledge base is not sufficient as yet. There has been a marked rush to
import puppies in the last year with what, seems to me, to be little thought to the gene
pool. Only time will tell if this ancient breed so carefully nurtured by the Italians as, first and
foremost, a working dog will retain that heritage and not lose it for the show ring. The
scariest comment I heard ring side was “The Bracco Italiano is a head breed”, it is not, it is a
gundog and should be judged as such, ensuring the construction retains the breed specifics
that produce its unique and necessary movement.
The main history makers in the breed have to be Liz & Jonathan Shaw (Sentling), they built
the bridges that those of us who followed trod. Sentling Susanna was extremely successful
in the show ring and gained the breed’s first Stud Book number through her Field Trial
award. Phil & Lynne March (Homstar) imported several dogs. Lord and Lady Campo di Diana
from the Netherlands were shown with success and raised the profile of the breed in the
ring. When the breed attained full recognition in 2008, at the first Championship show,
WELKS, Judge Julia Iles Hebbert found the breeds first BOB in Bonario Aude Sapere, she was
also Best Bitch at the first Crufts to schedule the breed. Her litter sister Bonario De Facto at
Primo owned by Mick and Cathy Cooper became the first UK bred International show
champion. Both are Granddaughters of Sentling Susanna. The first Open Show, Best in Show
winner and also the first holder of the Show Certificate of Merit was Kay Harrison’s Shaneco
Daniele De Rossi bred by Edna Craske. The first Crufts Best of Breed was Tripoli and Ahrens
well known Axel Del Monte Alago from Italy, the first UK bred dog to take BOB was Lynne
Bowley’s Gunsyn Pomata in 2014. The first Championship Show Group winner was Bolton
Oransade at Braccorion owned by Julie Rawlings. The most successful working dog to date is
Sue and Alan Parr’s Bonario Chatelaine with 4 Field Trial and 18 Working Test awards.
Conformationally the Bracco is very different from the other HPR’s, only the Spinone is
similar. Like the Spinone the predominant gait of the breed is the trot and they share the
particular topline with the break at the eleventh dorsal vertebrae. The topline should never
slope away but rise slightly after the break in an open arch to the croup. A squarely built
dog, a line from point of shoulder to buttock equals the height at the withers. A line
dropped from the buttock should land just in front of the toes, unlike the Spinone whose
line falls through the hock and unlike most other HPR’s whose hocks stand away. The head
is lean, equal in length of muzzle and skull. The skull should be equal or less in width.
Narrow at the zygomatic arches the head should not have bulges at the cheeks like a Staffy
but fall slightly inwards. Not often mentioned is the expression of the Bracco which is of
great importance to the Italians, a feeling of calm, friendly intelligence is looked for. We
must, as owners and judges, remain true to the standard and not allow the Bracco Italiano
to become a generic albeit flashy HPR.