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A hunt point retrieve gundog, the Bracco Italiano is of an ancient and noble lineage, mentioned in writings of the 4th and 5th centuries. The Bracco has been accepted as a distinct breed in Italy since the Middle Ages. He was bred by noble families such as the Medici and the Gonzaga with dogs from their kennels much sought after. So highly prized was the breed they were deemed suitable gifts for royalty. Records show the Court of France was given a chestnut Bracchi as a gift in 1527.
The breed became widespread during the renaissance period when hunting feathered game was a highly regarded and exclusive sport of the Italian aristocracy. The late 19th early 20th century saw a decline in numbers but due to the enthusiasm of breeder Ferdinand Delour de Ferrabouc (1838-1913) the Bracco was saved from extinction, he was also responsible for the first drafts of the breed standard.
The definitive breed standard was approved by ENCI in February 1949 and nine months later, in November, the Societa Amatori Bracco Italiano, SABI, was founded. The origins of the breed are unclear but it is believed to have been developed from the Egyptian hound and the Mollosus or Persian Mastiff. The white and orange is thought to originate from the Piedmont region ‘Piedmontese Pointer’ and was a lighter smaller dog thus enabling it to work more easily this mountainous region. The white and chestnut came from the Lombardy region ‘Lombard Pointer’ and was a heavier taller dog. Over time the two types were combined to create a breed of more uniform size although you will still see today dogs of a heavier and a lighter construction. The Bracco can be found behind many of todays gundogs.
Originally the breed was used to drive birds into nets but as hunting methods changed and with the development of guns the Bracco’s working style has adapted. In 1937 the Working or ‘Pastrone’ Standard was drawn up this standard describes beautifully the physical and mental working style of the Bracco.
Their coat is short, dense and glossy, finer and shorter on the head, the ears, front part of the legs and feet. Their colour based with white and includes white with patches of varied size of an orange or more or less dark amber colour. White with more or less large chestnut patches. White speckled with pale orange (melato). White speckled with chestnut (roano-marrone). In this last combination, a metallic sheen is appreciated, and a warm shade of chestnut is preferred, recalling the colour of a monks frock.
Preparing the Bracco start with the head and face using Plush Puppy Let’s Face It Shampoo. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning. Leave this on until all the shampooing of the body is done and then rinse off.
For the rest of the dog use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening with Ginseng Shampoo. Use at a dilution rate of 1:5 (one part shampoo to 5 parts water).
This shampoo features Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a rich formula. It works brilliantly to whiten whites and intensify darker colours. It DOES NOT lighten or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners. It reduces yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white areas of the coat and will negate unwanted tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat. Similarly for darker colours, it will reduce any warm tones to intensify the depth of colour by revitalising any lost cool tones.
While the standard does specifically ask for shine, all dogs look better with a natural sheen to their coats. To achieve this use Plush Puppy Natural All Purpose Shampoo with Henna after the initial shampoo. Again use at a dilution rate of 1:5 and shampoo along the topline.
We call this the ‘Shine’ shampoo as it features natural Henna stalk extracts that impart a beautiful gloss and shine to your dog’s coat. All Purpose Shampoo also features Alpine and Lichen herbs making it wonderful to use on normal to slightly dehydrated coats.
To brighten the white areas more, use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. This helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 5-10 minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.
At times your Bracco may need so extra cleaning, for this use Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo. It’s deep cleaning ability is excellent for those oily areas such as around the neck and throat. Use at a dilution rate of 1:3 for an amazing clarifying clean to those extra dirty and greasy areas.
This shampoo has extra surfactants that open the cuticle deeper to allow the deep cleaning and clarifying process. It will provide the deepest coat clean available leaving the coat reset and refreshed. Not only will it spruce up dull whites, it can also be used on any colour coat for a thorough and intensive clean. Deep Cleansing Shampoo will assist in reducing unwanted coat stains.
If the coat is too dry, you will need to get some conditioning in the coat using Plush Puppy Natural Conditioning Shampoo with Evening Primrose. Again use at a rate of 1:5 or up to 1:10. This Shampoo is a nourishing shampoo, helping to increase hydration while slightly softening the coat. Derived from organic sources with a strong emphasis on Evening Primrose extracts to boost skin and hair regeneration.
The coat should not need a conditioner as such, but does need to have the moisture content of the coat kept up. Conditioners which are acid balanced will in fact soften the coat, but a hydrating product will keep up the quality and elasticity in the coat preventing dry and brittle coats.
For this use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil as a rinse after shampooing. Dilute 1 teaspoon in 1 Litre of water and pour slowly all over the coat ensuring you also reach the skin. LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE.
Seabreeze Oil gives incredible sheen and finish to the hair. We cannot stress enough the wonderful attributes of this product. It will add shine, hydrate and condition the coat and help to keep any scurf at bay. This hydrating oil is a truly beneficial blend packed full of natural oils including Calendula and Evening Primrose oils known for their calming and healing properties. It deeply nourishes the skin and gives a healthy vigour to the coat without weighing it down or altering texture. It does not make the coat oily. You will be addicted to this product once you see the amazing results it gives not only short term but more importantly, long term to your dogs coats.
We believe it is important to the overall result and outcome, to blow dry this coat weekly. Yes, we know, most people view the short coated breeds as easy no blow dry dogs. But, if you can discipline yourself to doing this as a regular routine, shampoo, oil and blow dry you will never go through those moth eaten stages of coat shedding.
The coat will surely shed but never the same as before, always now shedding smoothly and without affecting the overall show presentation of the coat. Use a cool strong force type dryer to get those dead hairs out – no amount of grooming will ever get out what a good blast can do.
For in between shows, your job is to maintain the healthy vigour and texture to this coat. If the coat dehydrates, then the coat will start to bunch and fluff up and not stay close lying as is required and desired.
Grooming is the fun part. The best brush is the Ultimate Pure Black Boar Bristle Brush. This brush is made from 100% pure black boar bristle and is of the highest quality (from the chest of the boar) and is set into the finest quality aerolastic rubber base. This brush should last a life time. Its perfect to polish and make the coat lay flat.
For mid-week brushing and grooming, you can’t beat an application of a good leave-in moisturiser. Plush Puppy Reviva Coat is wonderful for rehydrating the hair, keeping the scurf at bay, plus retaining texture but still adding moisture. For heavier duty protection, you can lightly oil the coat with the Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil – good if your dog is outdoors in a harsh climate.
This all may seem extravagant and hard work for a seemingly no-nonsense dog, but good presentation is integral and your dog has to be a complete picture. All the little things make the difference. Attention to 100 things done just 1% better makes a big difference.
Not to forget for Show day, that final flourish for a great smelling dog with Plush Puppy Odour Muncher. It literally munches the odour and works well for smelly problems such as emergencies in transit. It leaves a light fragrance, certainly not too much and definitely not too little.
Give the coat a light spray with Plush Puppy Shine and Comb to the topline, head and rear for a fine, natural sheen that exhibits those hairs of the coat to their utmost. Spray from about 12 – 18 inches (30 – 45 cms) away and allow the mist to fall, and then run your hand over the coat to blend.
Now take your amazing breed into the ring and showcase them at their very best.
