Discover Everything About Bracco Italiano
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Bracco Italiano overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Bracco Italiano is a robust hunting dog with solid general health, which is why we have given it a B grade. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should be aware of breed-specific issues such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which can occur in dogs of this size. Additionally, eye conditions like entropion should be ruled out before purchase by verifying that the parent dogs have undergone the appropriate mandatory health tests.
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Height
55–67 cm
Weight
25–45 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, shiny, dense; no undercoat
- Origin: Italy
Typical coat colors
- White
- orange
- white
- amber
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Bracco Italiano, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Bracco Italiano right for you?
The Bracco Italiano is a gentle yet tireless Vorstehhund (pointing dog) — bred for extensive searching at a fast trot, during which he works in close cooperation with the hunter. Calm at home, a thoroughbred worker outdoors.
Perfect for you if:
- You are keen to challenge his excellent nose through tracking or dummy training — simple walks are not enough for this passionate worker.
- You live in a rural area and can offer him plenty of space for expansive movement in nature.
- You are looking for a sensitive companion who forms an almost velcro-like bond with you.
- You can guide his hunting motivation with patience and confidence rather than using harsh methods.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to ignore the scent of game — he was bred to track and point exactly that, which requires constant management while outdoors.
- You live in a city apartment and only plan on taking short walks on a leash.
- You have to leave him alone for long periods during the week — this people-oriented dog will wither without close family connection.
The real vibes check
A Bracco Italiano on the sofa seems like a melancholic teddy bear — but as soon as he catches a scent outside, he switches to high-performance athlete mode. You aren't getting a casual follower, but a highly specialized hunting partner who burns for teamwork. If you can handle this switch between absolute gentleness and hunting passion, you will have the most loyal shadow in the world.
Breed Profile
The Bracco Italiano is an impressive presence, a combination of strength and grace. This medium to large dog has an elegant, muscular build with long legs and a deep chest. Its head is expressive with a pronounced stop and long, drooping ears typical of many hunting dog breeds. The skin is rather loose and forms a slight fold on the neck. Its coat is short, dense and shiny and requires minimal grooming. The breed belongs to FCI Group 7, the pointers. The Bracco Italiano comes in two different lines: the lighter, faster work line and the slightly heavier show line. Although both lines share the same basic features, the working lines tend to be a little slimmer and more active, while the show lines can have a slightly more robust appearance.
| Height | 55 - 62 cm (Female), 58 - 67 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 25 - 40 kg (Female), 30 - 45 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 10 - 12 years |
| Character | loyal, intelligent, affectionate |
| Coat | Short, shiny, dense; no undercoat |
| Coat Color | White, orange and white, amber and white |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Bracco Italiano, also known as the Italian Pointer, comes from Italy and has a long history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is one of the oldest hunting dog breeds and was mentioned in writings from the 4th and 5th centuries. They were originally used by the aristocracy for bird hunting. By the 1800s, the Bracco Italiano's popularity declined and the breed was almost extinct. Fortunately, committed breeders ensured the continued existence of the breed with a targeted breeding program in the 1920s. The Bracco Italiano was recognized as an independent breed by the FCI in 1949.
The Bracco Italiano was bred as a pointer for hunting and is known for its elegance and keen sense of smell.
Italy
1400
Character & Temperament
The Bracco Italiano is a very people-oriented breed. He is extremely loyal and affectionate and loves spending time with his family. His intelligence and eagerness to please make him an easily trainable dog, capable of both completing demanding tasks and being a relaxed companion. Its innate hunting instinct makes the Bracco Italiano an excellent working dog, especially in hunting and tracking. However, these abilities can also cause it to exhibit strong prey-catching behavior. Therefore, you should be aware that without appropriate distraction or exercise, he may tend to hunt smaller animals on his own. However, this does not mean that the Bracco Italiano is a hyperactive dog. On the contrary, he has a rather calm temperament and can adapt well to life in an apartment or in the city as long as he receives enough exercise and mental stimulation. Working line Bracco Italianos tend to be more active and require more mental and physical stimulation than their show line counterparts. However, both lines are very playful and enjoy spending time with their humans, whether playing, training or just relaxing. The Bracco Italiano is generally good with children and other animals as long as he is well socialized from an early age. Despite his hunting instincts, he can learn to live peacefully with smaller pets if he is raised with them from an early age. An important aspect to keep in mind is that the Bracco Italiano tends to be very attached to his people and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. It is therefore important to teach him early on that it is okay to stay alone and to provide him with enough activity when you are not at home. In terms of alertness, the Bracco Italiano typically displays a medium level of alertness. He will likely alert you to unusual noises or movements, but he is not overly barky or territorial. This makes the Bracco Italiano a versatile companion that is able to perform demanding hunting and tracking tasks as well as being a loving family dog. His people-oriented, loyal nature and intelligence make him an ideal companion for those looking for an active, yet adaptable dog.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
The Bracco Italiano is one of the oldest hunting dog breeds and was depicted in ancient Roman works of art.
What Awaits You
The Bracco Italiano is often described as a thoroughbred hunting dog. They are friendly, calm dogs, but due to their hunting motivation they belong in experienced hands.
Housing & Care
The Bracco Italiano can live well in both the city and the country, provided he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He gets along well with children and other pets, including cats, if he is well socialized from an early age. However, you should always ensure that interactions between dogs and small children are monitored to ensure the safety of both.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The Bracco Italiano is an intelligent dog with a natural ability to learn and please. Training should be positive and reward based to keep his motivation high. He can be trained to do a variety of activities and dog sports, including obedience, agility and of course hunting tests. Because the Bracco Italiano is a hunting dog, it can tend to react too intensely to balls or other throwable objects. Therefore, it is important to ensure that play with such objects is controlled and that he learns to control impulses and tolerate frustration. It is also important to offer him alternatives, such as searching or nose work, that satisfy his natural hunting instincts in a controlled and safe environment.
Nutrition & Care
A Bracco Italiano's diet should be balanced and tailored to his needs. High-quality dog food with a good ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals is crucial. Some Bracco Italianos tend to be overweight, so it is important to monitor feeding amounts and ensure regular exercise. The Bracco Italiano has a short, shiny coat without an undercoat that is quite easy to care for. A weekly brushing will help remove dead hair and keep the coat clean and healthy. He doesn't shed particularly heavily, but a bit of hair loss is to be expected, especially during the changing seasons. Regarding the climate in Germany, the Bracco Italiano can adapt well, although it should be protected from the cold in the colder months as it has no undercoat.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid
Health grade
The Bracco Italiano is a robust hunting dog with solid general health, which is why we have given it a B grade. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should be aware of breed-specific issues such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which can occur in dogs of this size. Additionally, eye conditions like entropion should be ruled out before purchase by verifying that the parent dogs have undergone the appropriate mandatory health tests.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
With joint-friendly rearing, a healthy weight, and regular veterinary check-ups for eyes and kidneys, most dogs remain fit and active for a long time.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, and kidney values of the parent animals tested and pay attention to healthy eyelids without excessive skin folds on the head.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Bracco Italiano
Gero M., Jäger aus Sachsen-Anhalt (Rüde, seit 2018)
Ich habe mich damals ganz bewusst für einen Bracco Italiano entschieden. Was mich von Anfang an fasziniert hat, ist dieser majestätische, raumgreifende Trab bei der Suche – er arbeitet unglaublich ausdauernd und gründlich mit einer exzellenten Nase. Mein Rüde zeigt im Revier genau diesen unermüdlichen Finderwillen und arbeitet hochkonzentriert.
Was man aber unbedingt wissen muss: Ein Bracco verträgt absolut keine harte Hand. In der Ausbildung und im Alltag braucht man viel Feingefühl, Geduld und positive Bestärkung. Wer hier mit Druck oder Härte arbeitet, blockiert diesen sensiblen Hund sofort. Er ist extrem menschenbezogen und im Haus mein absoluter Schatten, der am liebsten jede Sekunde ganz nah bei mir ist.
Sabrina K., Halterin aus Hessen (Hündin, seit 2021)
Wir halten unsere Bracco-Hündin als reinen Familien- und Begleithund, was nach viel Training mittlerweile wunderbar klappt. Man darf aber nicht unterschätzen, dass diese Rasse ein absoluter Spätzünder ist. Unsere Hündin war erst mit etwa zweieinhalb Jahren im Kopf wirklich erwachsen. Bis dahin braucht man bei der Erziehung extrem viel Geduld und einen langen Atem.
Da wir nicht aktiv jagen, lasten wir sie intensiv mit Mantrailing und Nasenarbeit aus. Ohne diese geistige Beschäftigung würde sie beim Spaziergang im Wald sofort ihren eigenen Jagdtrieb ausleben. Ein kleiner, aber rassetypischer Punkt, den man vor der Anschaffung bedenken sollte: Je nach Ausprägung der Lefzen neigen manche Braccos doch recht deutlich zum Sabbern, das gehört hier einfach dazu!
Thomas B., Sportler aus Bayern (Rüde, seit 2022)
Mein Bracco Italiano ist mein absoluter Traumpartner beim Bikejoring. Er ist körperlich topfit, extrem ausdauernd und immer hochmotiviert, wenn es ans Ziehen geht. Damit das im Gelände bei der Geschwindigkeit nicht gefährlich wird, mussten wir Richtungs- und Stoppkommandos wie 'links', 'rechts', 'stehen' und 'go' absolut fehlerfrei trainieren.
Die größte Herausforderung beim Sport ist seine feine Nase. Wenn er während der Fahrt plötzlich eine interessante Witterung aufnimmt oder abrupt ins Gebüsch ziehen will, um auszutreten, muss man als Fahrer extrem reaktionsschnell sein. Man braucht eine gute Ausrüstung und muss immer aufmerksam bleiben, damit die Zugleine nicht ins Vorderrad gerät.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Bracco Italiano
Is a Bracco Italiano the right dog for me?
The Bracco Italiano is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Bracco Italiano live?
The average life expectancy of a Bracco Italiano is 10-12 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Bracco Italiano need?
Bracco Italiano grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Bracco Italiano good for families with children?
The Bracco Italiano can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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