The Bracco Italiano belongs to the seventh group of this classification: Pointing Dogs, more precisely from the first section corresponding to Continental Pointing Dogs. The dogs in this group are dogs specialized in a very specific hunting discipline with a very specific working technique. This consists of tracking the game, restricting the distance that separates them from it as much as possible and warning their master just before the leap and capture of the prey so that he can come and shoot the stuck animal. These are therefore dogs that are very focused on smell. But this sense of smell can also play tricks on them: they tend to get lost easily because of it. They are also dogs that have a voice to warn their master when they are almost face to face with game.

The Italian Shorthaired Pointer is an ancient breed used during the Middle Ages, just like the Oysel dogs, for hunting birds with nets. Frescoes from the 14th century bear witness to the longevity of this breed throughout the centuries. Subsequently, the Italian Shorthaired Pointer adapted to shooting, making it the oldest European Shorthaired Pointer. It was also adopted by all the sovereigns of Europe. Pointer blood would have improved the breed by giving it more lightness and speed. Two sub-breeds stood out: the Greater Pointer, whose size is between 66 and 70 cm and a weight which varies from 35 to 40 kg, and the Light Pointer, more slender and lively with its 25 to 28 kg. It was in 1926 that the two varieties were united into a single standard. This is only found very rarely in France.

The Bracco Italiano is one of the large breeds. The male measures between 58 and 67 cm while the female is between 55 and 62 cm, both weighing between 25 and 40 kg. Robust but always harmonious in construction, the Italian Shorthaired Pointer is a distinguished dog. His skin is elastic. Its preferred gaits are the long, fast trot. Its body is square with a powerful neck with a slight dewlap. His tourniquet came out well. Its chest is ample, deep and well descended. Its ribs are well sprung. His back is broad and muscular. Its rump is rather long, wide and oblique, forming an angle of 30° below the horizontal. Her stomach is slightly raised. His limbs are dry and you can see his bulging muscles. Its feet are oval, composed of close toes, dry pads and dewclaws on the hindquarters. Its tail is strong at its root and straight. He carries it horizontally when in action. The head of the Italian Shorthaired Pointer is both angular and narrow. Its skull is slightly domed and also reveals a pronounced occipital protuberance. Its nose is rather large, brown or pink to flesh-colored depending on the coat. His cheeks are dry and his lips are thin. Its oval eyes are more or less dark ocher or brown depending on the coat. Its ears are long, slightly rounded at the tip and flexible. The front edge of the ear sticks to the cheek of the animal. The coat of the Italian Shorthaired Pointer is either white with spots of varying sizes, more or less dark orange or amber, or white with spots of varying sizes. smaller, brown in color, either white speckled with pale orange (“troitures”), or white speckled with brown (roan-marron). A symmetrical face mask is preferred. Its hair is short, tight and shiny. It is thinner and shorter on the head and ears, on the front of the limbs as well as on the feet.

The Italian Shorthaired Pointer is a robust and resistant dog. Its life expectancy is around thirteen years. Note, however, that this breed has a predisposition to certain dermatological diseases which must be monitored. The Italian Shorthaired Pointer is also subject to torsional dilatation of the stomach, a syndrome which most often occurs in large dogs after a meal and/or physical exertion. It is due to the accumulation of gas and then liquid in the animal's stomach. Once dilated, the stomach can no longer empty and a twisting movement ensues. The symptoms of this syndrome are: a dilated and very tense abdomen, unsuccessful attempts to vomit, apathy, the dog refuses to get up and a state of shock which can set in quickly. It is important to react very quickly by consulting your veterinarian because this syndrome is fatal in the vast majority of cases. For prevention, it is advisable to avoid playing or running a dog after its meal. The Italian Shorthaired Pointer is also prone to coxofemoral dysplasia. This is a malformation occurring during the growth of the dog and which causes early osteoarthritis which can eventually lead to paralysis of the front or rear part of the animal. The symptoms are more or less visible and detectable more or less early, ranging from a change in the dog's behavior, fearing going up and down stairs, jumping, intense exercise sessions or showing a fault in its sitting position, for example. 'to lameness and pain. A palpation can be carried out at the veterinarian from the age of 6 months. Radiological confirmation can be considered at the age of one year. The treatments are medicinal (painkillers and anti-inflammatories, administered in conjunction with a diet recommended for joint health) and, ultimately, surgical (replacement of the femoral head, triple osteotomy of the pelvis or excision of the head of the femur depending on the case). . This risk should never be ruled out and it is therefore essential to go through a responsible breeder, who carries out adequate DNA tests for this genetic and hereditary pathology and who only breeds among themselves those individuals whose descendants present the least possible risks of being affected. Concretely, reproduction must be considered according to the diagnosed stage: individuals of stages A, B and C can be reproduced, but C only with an individual A. The following stages simply cannot be reproduced under any circumstances. Regular brushing is recommended, during which it is also advisable to monitor the condition of the animal's ears.

Rustic, resistant, vigorous, the Italian Shorthaired Pointer is a fine-nosed dog suitable for all types of hunting. His quest for game is active, with his head held high and a long trot. He also reports the results of his research well. But it is also a dog that easily adapts to family life, which makes it a very nice companion! Its education must be firm and rigorous. The Italian Shorthaired Pointer is not intended to live in an apartment, but it needs large spaces as well as a lot of physical exercise to expend its energy.