The origins of the Bracco Italiano dog breed are really very ancient. It is even mentioned in ancient Greece, where its name and characteristics are found in a work by Xenophon. It also appears in a sonnet by Dante, and already in the fifteenth century we find it at the court of the Kings of France. But it was during the Renaissance that it experienced its most popular moment, living in the homes of the nobility, and even the Gonzaga and Medici families chose the Italian Bracco for their hunting trips.
Yes, because the Italian Bracco is an excellent hunting and hunting dog, especially for birds with nets and even later when guns arrived. At one time hunting was one of the main leisure activities and the Italian Bracco was able to make an immediate impression on the rich bourgeoisie.
Unfortunately, between the nineteenth and the twentieth century, the Italian Bracco suffered a collapse that led him almost to extinction, but already before the Second World War, thanks to a breeder, Paolo Ciceri, who is also the founder of the Society of Italian Bracco amateurs, who began a selection and recovery of the original characteristics of the breed. Thanks to him and to other amateurs of this breed, the Italian Bracco has been completely regenerated following very accurate selections.
Going back to its origins, it is thought that the Italian Beagle was born in ancient times from a cross between a Mastiff or Molossian type dog with an Egyptian hunting and racing dog.
Character of the Italian Beagle dog breed
The Italian Bracco is a very docile and mild breed, it is very sensitive and becomes attached to its owner and its family unit, an ideal companion for games and rest for all adults and children, which never moves out of place.
It is very intelligent, reliable and given its nature to please the owner in all ways and very easy to train. It is ideal for an active lifestyle in the countryside and will do well with the family as well as hunting, as long as it has the opportunity to go out at least a couple of hours a day to let off steam. Given its size, the ideal would be a garden in the countryside, where it can stay several hours a day, but it also fits in an apartment as long as it has some space available.
It can also be a guard dog even if it is usually tame with strangers, but the instinct of protection for the house and its components is very strong. Very social with other dogs, if accustomed from a young age it can also get along with other pets in its household.
As far as hunting is concerned, it is a little slower than its English cousins, but on the other hand it can be used in all types of terrain and areas and adapts magnificently to all types of hunting. Moreover, it has a very solid stop, a wide range of strategies and it proves to be more ductile than other bloodhounds. It is a breed with unique qualities both in appearance and behavior and therefore it should be valued and publicized more and more all over the world.
Appearance of the Italian Beagle dog breed
The Italian Bracco is a medium sized dog, its height at the withers reaches 57 centimeters, for a weight of about 40 kilograms, the female usually a little less. It has a vigorous appearance with a strong constitution, solid and muscular. Its physique is not exactly slender, but it is very toned and snappy and in the open field it will amaze for its quick reflexes and agility.
It has a head with a particular shape, a large truffle, very voluminous and protruding, large and drooping ears. The eyes often have ochre tones, and its gaze has an almost melancholic expression, but very intelligent.
The hair of the coat is generally short, thick and very shiny, the colors can be white, brown roan, which is the most common, and orange.
Care and health of the Italian Bracco
The Italian Bracco has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Its health is generally good, many genetic diseases that for a long time have plagued this breed, thanks to careful breeding have been eradicated. It can suffer from dermatitis as it has very oily skin, therefore it is important to take care of its hygiene. It should be brushed almost daily and if necessary a bath. Finally, take care of the hygiene of the ears and mouth.
With regard to nutrition, it does not tend to gain weight, as long as it does movement, then balanced meals with food of excellent quality.
