There are currently two Bracco Italiano breed standards, and one working standard used throughout the world:
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Origin
Italy
FCI classification
Group 7 (pointing dogs) section 1.1 (Continental Pointing Type
"Braque") with working trail.
General appearance
Of strong an harmonious construction, powerful appearance. The preferred
subject are those with lean limbs, well developed muscles, well defined lines
with a markedly sculpted head and a very obvious lower orbital chiseling,
elements which all contribute to give distinction to this breed.
Important proportions
Length of the body is the same or a little more than the height at the
withers. Length of head is equal to 4/10 of the height at the withers, its
width, measured at the level of the zygomatic arches, is less than half its
length. Skull and muzzle are of equal length.
Behaviour and temperament
Tough and adapted to all types of hunting, reliable, endowed with an
excellent ability to understand. serious countenance, tame and intelligent;
docile, very distinct even in the hunt, head held high, a noble expression. Born
for the hunt, it is nonetheless an excellent companion dog.
Head
Angular and narrow at the level of the zygomatic arches, its length
corresponds to 4/10 of the height at the withers; the middle of its length is a
level of a line which unite the inner angles of both eyes. The upper
longitudinal axes of the skull and muzzle are divergent, i.e. if extending the
top line of the muzzle; this one must emerge in front of the occipital
protuberance, ideally at mid-length of the skull.
Skull
region
Seen in profile, the skull is in shape of a very open arch. Seen from the
top, it forms length elongated ellipse. The width of the skull, measured at the
level of the zygomatic arches should not exceed half of the length of the head.
Cheeks are lean. The bugle of the forehead and the supraorbital ridges are
perceptible, whereas the stop is not pronounced. The frontal groove is visible
and the ends at midlength of the skull. The interpartietal crest is short and
not very prominent. The occipital protuberance is pronounced.
Nose
Voluminous, with large well opened nostrils, protrudes slightly over the
lips with which it forms an angle. Colour: brown or pale pink to more or less
deep fleshy red depending on the colour of the coat.
Muzzle
Foreface either straight or slightly arched. Its length is equal to half
of the length of the head and its depth measures 4/5 of its length. Seen from
the front, the lateral sides of the muzzle converge slightly, still presenting a
foreface of good width. The chin not very apparent.
Lips
Upper lips well developed, thin and floppy being flaccid, covering the
jaw; seen in profile, they overlap the lower jaw slightly. Seen from the front,
they form an inverted "V" below the nose; the corner of the lips must
be marked without being droopy.
Teeth
Dental arches well adapted, with the teeth square to the jaw; scissor
bite is also acceptable.
Eyes
Semi-lateral position with a soft and submissive expression neither deep
set non prominent. Eyes fairly large, eyelids oval shaped and close fitting (no
entropion or ectropion). The iris is of a more or less dark ochre or brown
colour depending on the coat colour.
Ears
Well developed, in length they should, without being stretched, reach the
tip of the nose. Their width is at least equal to half their length; raised only
very slightly; base rather narrow, set rather backwards at level of zygomatic
arches; a supple ear with a front rim well turned inwards and really close to
the cheek is appreciated; the lower extremity of the ear ends in a slightly
rounded tip.
Neck
Powerful, in truncated cone shape, length not less than 2/3 of the length
of the head, well detached from the nape. The throat shows a soft double dewlap.
Top line
The upper profile of the back is made up of two lines: one, almost
straight, slopes from the withers t the 11th dorsal vertebra; the other is
slightly arched, joining with the line of the rump.
Withers,
loin, rump , chest, and underline.
Withers: Well defined, with the points of the shoulder blades well
separated. Loin: Wide lumbar region, muscled, short and slightly convex. Rump:
Long (about 1/3 of the height at the withers), broad and well muscled; the
pelvic angulations (angle formed by pelvic girdle with a horizontal line) is 30°.
Pelvis wide. Chest: Broad, deep and well let down to level of elbows, without
forming a heel, with well sprung ribs, particularly in their lower part, and
sloping. Underline: Lower profile almost horizontal in its ribcage part, rising
slightly I its abdominal part.
Tail
Thick at the base, straight, with slightly tendency to taper, hair short.
When the dog is in action and especially when questing, is carried horizontally
or nearly. Should be docked at 15-25cm from the root.
Forequartes
Shoulders strong, well muscled, long and sloping, very free in its
movement; the upper arm sloping, fitting to the ribcage; forearm strong,
straight, with strong en well marked sinews; the point of the elbows should be
on a perpendicular line from the rear point of the shoulder blade to the ground;
metacarpus (pasterns) well proportioned, lean, of good length and slightly
sloping; feet strong, slightly oval shaped, well arched and closed toes with
strong nails well curved towards the ground. Colour of nails is white, yellow or
brown, of a more or less dark shade depending on the colour of the coat: pads
elastic and lean.
Hindguarters
Thigh long, parallel, muscular, with a rear edge almost straight; strong
limbs; hocks wide, metatarsals relatively short and lean. The feet with al the
characteristics of the front feet, have dewclaws, the absence of which is not a
fault. Double dewclaw is tolerated.
Gait/
movement
Extended and fast trot, with powerful impulsion from the hindquarters;
head raised, nose held high in such way that, when hunting, the nose is higher
than the top line.
Skin
Tough but elastic: finer on the head, the throat, inside the elbows
and on lower part of the body, the visible mucous membranes be a corresponding
colour with the coat, but never show black spots. The mucous membranes of the
mouth are pink; in the roans or white and chestnut coloured dogs they sometimes
show brown or light chestnut spotting.
Type of
hair and Colour of coat
Type of hair: Short, dense and glossy, fine and shorter on the head,
the ears, front part of the legs and feet. Colour of coat: White; white with
markings of varied size of an orange or more or less dark amber colour, white
with more or less large chestnut markings; white with pale orange (speckled);
white mottled with chestnut (roan-chestnut); in this last combination, a
metallic sheen is appreciated, and a warm shade of chestnut is preferred,
recalling the colour of a monk's frock. A symmetrical facial mask is preferred
but the absence of a mask is tolerated.
Size and
weight
Height at the withers between 55-67 cm. preferred size for males:
58-67 cm- preferred size for females:55-62 cm. Weight between 25 and 40 kg.
Depending on height (size).
Faults,
elimination faults and disqualifying faults
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing constitutes a fault which
when judging must be penalized according to its seriousness and its extension.
Elimination faults: Accentuated prognathism. Size of 2 cm above or below limits
in the standard. Disqualifying faults: Split nose; convergence of cranial-facial
axes; wall eye; upper prognatism; absence of pigmentation (albinism); black
coat; white and black; tricolour, fawn, hazel, unicolour, with red (tan)
markings, mucous membranes, skin and annexes with traces of black. N.B. Males
should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
General Appearance
Of strong and harmonious construction, powerful appearance.
The preferred subjects are those with lean limbs, well developed muscles, well
defined lines with a markedly sculpted head and a very obvious lower orbital
chiseling, elements which all contribute to give distinction to this breed.
Size and Proportion
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS - Length of the body is the same or a little more than the height at the withers. Length of head is equal to 4/1O of the height at the withers, its width, measured at the level of the zygomatic arches, is less than half its length. Skull and muzzle are of equal length.
SIZE AND WEIGHT - Height at the withers between 55-67 cm. preferred size for males: 58-67 cm - preferred size for females: 55-62 cm. Weight between 25 and 40 kg. depending on height.
Head
HEAD - Angular and narrow at the level of the zygomatic arches, its length corresponds to 4/10 of the height at the withers: the middle of its length is at the level of a line which unites the inner angles of both eyes: the upper longitudinal axes of the skull ad muzzle are divergent, i.e. if extended the top line of the muzzle, emerges in front of the occipital protuberance, ideally at mid-length of the skull.
SKULL REGION - Seen in profile, the skull shape is a very open arch. Seen from the top, it forms lengthwise an elongated ellipse. The width of the skull, measured at the level of the zygomatic arches should not exceed half of the length of the head. Cheeks are lean, the bugle of the forehead and the supraorbital ridges are perceptible, whereas the stop is not pronounced. The frontal groove is visible and ends at mid-length of the skull. The interparietal crest is short and not very prominent. The occipital protuberance is pronounced.
FACIAL REGION
| Nose - Voluminous, with large well opened nostrils, protrudes slightly over the lips with which it forms an angle. Colour: brown or from pale pink to more or less deep fleshy red depending on the colour of the coat. |
| Muzzle - Foreface either straight or slightly arched. Its length is equal to half of the length of the head and its depth measures 4/5 of its length. Seen from the front, the lateral sides of the muzzle converge slightly, still presenting a foreface of good width. The chin not very apparent. |
| Lips - Upper lips well developed, thin and floppy without being flaccid, covering the jaw; seen in profile, they overlap the lower jaw slightly, seen from the front, they form an inverted "V" below the nose; the corner of the lips must be marked without being droopy. |
| Teeth - Dental arches well adapted, with the teeth square to the jaw; scissor bite - pincer bite is also acceptable. |
| Eyes - Semi-lateral position with a soft and submissive expression neither deep set nor prominent. Eyes fairly large, eyelids oval shaped and close fitting (no entropion or ectropion). The iris is of a more or less dark ochre or brown colour depending on the coat colour. |
| Ears - Well developed, in length they should, without being stretched, reach the tip of the nose. Their width is at least equal to half their length; raised only very slightly; base rather narrow, set rather backwards at level of zygomatic arches: a supple ear with a front rim well turned inwards and really close to the cheek is appreciated; the lower extremity of the ear ends in a slightly rounded tip. |
Neck, Topline, Body
NECK - Powerful, in truncated cone shape, length not less than 2/3 of the length of the head, well detached from the nape. The throat shows a soft double dewlap.
TOPLINE - The upper profile of the back is made up of two lines: one, almost straight, slopes from the withers to the 11th dorsal vertebra; the other is slightly arched, joining with the line of the rump.
BODY
| Withers - Well defined, with the points of the shoulder blades well separated. |
| Loin - Wide lumbar region, muscled, short and slightly convex. |
| Rump - Long (about 1/3 of the height at the withers), broad and well muscled; the pelvic angulation (angle formed by the pelvic girdle with a horizontal line) is 30ƒ. Pelvis wide. |
| Chest - Broad, deep and well down to level of elbows, without forming a heel, with well sprung ribs, particularly in their lower part, and sloping. |
| Underline - lower profile almost horizontal in its ribcage part, rising slightly in its abdominal part. |
| Tail - Thick at the base, straight, with a slight tendency to taper, hair short. When the dog is in action and especially when questing, is carried horizontally or nearly. Should be docked at 15 - 25 cm from the root. |
Forequarters
Shoulder strong, well muscled, long and sloping, very free in its movement; the upperarm sloping, fitting to the ribcage; forearm strong, straight, with strong and well marked sinews; the point of the elbows should be on a perpendicular line from the rear point of the shoulder blade to the ground; metacarpus (pasterns) well proportioned, lean, of good length and slightly sloping; feet strong, slightly oval shaped, well arched and closed toes with strong nails well curved towards the ground. Colour of nails is white, yellow or brown, of a more or less dark shade depending on the colour of the coat: pads elastic and lean
Hindquarters
Thigh long, parallel, muscular, with a rear edge almost straight; strong limbs; hocks wide, metatarsals relatively short and lean. The feet with all the characteristics of the front feet, have dewclaws, the absence of which is not a fault. Double dewclaw is tolerated.
Coat, Skin, and Color
COAT - Short, dense and glossy, fine and shorter on the head, the ears, front part of the legs and feet.
SKIN - Tough but elastic: fine on the head, the throat, inside the elbows and on lower part of the body. The visible mucous membranes must be a corresponding colour with the coat, but never show black spots. The mucous membranes of the mouth are pink; in the roans or white and chestnut coloured dogs they sometimes show brown or light chestnut spotting.
COLOR - White; white with marking of varied size of an orange or more or less dark amber colour, white with more or less large chestnut marking; white with pale orange (speckled); white mottled with chestnut (roan-chestnut); in this last combination, a metallic sheen is appreciated, and a warm shade of chestnut is preferred, recalling the colour of a monk's tunic. A symmetrical facial mask is preferred but the absence of a mask is tolerated.
Gait/Movement
Extended and fast trot, with powerful impulsion from the hindquarters; head raised, nose held high in such a way that, when hunting, the nose is higher than the top line.
Behaviour And Temperament
Tough and adapted to all types of hunting, reliable, endowed with an excellent ability to understand, docile and easy to train.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing constitutes a fault which
when judging must be penalized according to its seriousness and its extension.
| ELIMINATION FAULTS - Accentuated prognathism. Size 2 cm. above or below limits indicated in the standard. |
| DISQUALIFYING FAULTS - Split nose; convergence of cranial-facial axes; wall eye; upper prognatism; absence of pigmentation (albinism); black coat; white and black; tricolour; fawn, hazel, unicolor, with tan markings, mucous membranes, skin and annexes with traces of black. |
N.B. - Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
(The
Pastrone Standard 1937.)
The gait
is a trot, long and brisk. Brief periods of galloping are tolerated when
re-crossing previously covered ground, at the beginning of the hunt or in cases
where the dog encounters a new situation. Above all, the rule when working scent
is the trot, this is a lively movement that covers the ground well.
The dog
during the hunt should quarter at distances of 100 meters or more from the
handler and the spacing of its cast should reflect the terrain, wind and
scenting conditions. These actions confirm that the dog is hunting correctly.
It is
evident that in the Bracco Italiano (as with the other trotters) the
preoccupation with the scent is of prime importance. Unlike the lightening
reaction of the great gallopers the Italian Bracchi treat the process as a
complex mental process that is easily read in his expression, which is one of
thought.
The hunt is extremely diligent and enjoyed by the dog with its tail carried horizontally or slightly higher, constantly moving rhythmically from side to side as the dog moves (not rapidly as with the spaniel).
The neck
should be a little extended in order to hold the head high with the nose angled
acutely from the horizontal.
Upon
detecting scent the dog gradually slows and returns extremely prudently towards
its presumed origin, head held high as described above, its ears cocked and tail
motionless and slightly lowered. If the dog realizes that it is on residual
(old) scent then he should resume the hunt as before. If however he decides that
the scent is leading him closer to game he should slow and his final steps
should be very slow often gently feeling the ground with his paw before putting
his weight on it as if afraid to make a noise.
When
pointing, his tail may be horizontal, slightly raised, or slightly lowered but
always motionless.
The over
all deportment of the dog is noble, imposing, alert but calm, erect and slightly
forward balanced. The neckline should be a little raised and the head
carried up with the nose decisively towards the ground (approx. 30 degrees from
the horizontal).
If
while hunting he encounters scent which indicates that game is very close he
will immediately slow and take up a posture similar to when standing still, only
with his neckline a little more pronounced and the tail a little lower. He and
will then gradually take up the behaviour described in the previous paragraphs
following the scent, which brings him into contact with the game. Sometimes this
movement is preceded by an undesirable short stop.
A dog that
senses he is suddenly upon the game (and only in this case) will stop
immediately. He will stay, more often than not, upright, or with the limbs a
little flexed with the head turned down towards the game. Exceptionally the dog
may halt in a contorted or twisted pose.
If the
game attempts to escape along the ground while being hunted, the dog should
guide the it to wind by its own physical movement, exercising caution not to
disturb where possible dry branches or noisy leaves while maintaining contact
with it.
While the game is moving the dog should track it without
slowing or stopping unnecessarily demonstrating that all its described
characteristics do not prevent it from being a tenacious tracker. It maybe that
in these circumstances a dog may come to an abrupt halt should it suddenly
encounter game which has, in an attempt to escape, turned back after
encountering an obstacle.
A characteristic of the Bracco (and the other continentals)
is that it should have complete contact with its handler, which the dog should
always maintain.
The dogs calm and reflective nature is ideal to train for
work in all conditions whether in open country or more dense areas where a
tighter working pattern is desirable.
©2003 North American Bracco Italiano Club