Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italiano is the traditional pointer of the Italian peninsula. Dogs showing similarities to the modern breed appear in paintings as far back as the fourteenth century. The first dog registered in the of the Kennel Club Italiano, established in 1882, was a Bracco Italiano. At this time there were two sub-types: the larger and heavier or and the smaller and lighter or . A breed standard for the larger type was drawn up by in the 1890s. Early in 1949 a breed standard was approved by the Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana – as the national kennel club had by then been renamed – and later that year a breed society was formed: the . The breed was fully accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956. In the 41 years from 1970 to 2011, a total of of the dogs were registered. From 2010 to 2018 there were approximately 700 new registrations per year in Italy, of which in every year the majority were of white-and-orange colouration. == Characteristics ==

The Bracco Italiano is roughly square in outline – the height at the withers is almost as great as the length of the body. The head is large, with long ears and long upper lips that hang below the lower jaw. Height at the withers is in the range , with a preferred range of for bitches and for dogs; body weights vary in proportion to height, from about . The coat is dense and short. Under the international breed standard of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, it may be white; or white with patches of orange, dark amber or brown; or orange or liver roan. Any other colour, including black or tricolour markings, is considered disqualifying fault. The Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana classes the dogs in one of two colours only, ('white-and-orange') and ('chestnut roan'). Bracco italiano 878.jpg|White with dark amber Dover di Valgisanche.jpg|Liver roan == Notes ==