Italian Pointer: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Italian Pointer is of Italian origin and very ancient. It is depicted on various 14th-century frescoes, some think it dates back to the Greco-Latin era. It quickly established itself as a versatile hunting dog, showing itself to advantage both during net hunting parties and in retrieving and pointing. The Italian Pointer quickly arrived in France, but it would be abandoned by many hunters in favor of British pointers. The Italian Pointer breed was definitively recognized by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) on June 7, 1956.

The Italian Pointer is solidly and harmoniously built. Its neck is powerful, its withers well defined and its croup long and strong. Its coat is short, dense and shiny, even shorter on the head and ears. Its ears are long, set on tightly, carried rather to the rear and rounded at their tips. Its rather large eyes, of a more or less dark color, show a gentle expression. Its rather large and angular head has a skull and a muzzle of the same length. Seen in profile, the skull is very arched, the occipital protuberance is pronounced and the stop is little marked. The large nose, pink to brown, has well-opened nostrils. Thick at its base then finer, the tail is covered with short hair and carried horizontally when the dog is in action or searching. The coat is white with orange to brown markings and ticking.

The Italian Pointer is an alert, intelligent, affectionate and energetic dog. Tough, suited to any type of hunting, it is reputed to be reliable and docile. First specialized in feathered game, it then established itself as a versatile hunting dog, gifted both for pointing and for retrieving. In the family, it is a pleasant companion for all those close to it, whether they are fellow dogs, humans or other animals.

The Italian Pointer is made to live in the countryside and enjoy as much space and freedom as possible. It can adapt to an urban lifestyle if it is sufficiently walked and stimulated. It needs to exercise daily. Long and frequent outings are recommended, but it is preferable to avoid overly intensive activities so as not to excessively strain its joints.

Endowed with remarkable comprehension abilities and very attached to its owner, the Italian Pointer is a dog that is relatively easy to train. Its training must combine firmness and gentleness.

Still not very widespread in France, the Italian Pointer from breeding is often sold for between €800 and €1,500. Rarity, the working line and health screenings influence the price.

The Italian Pointer is a robust and resilient dog. However, there are predispositions to certain diseases or anomalies in this breed. They are mainly dermatological in nature.

The Italian Pointer, a pointing dog of fairly large size, needs a complete, digestible diet adjusted to the effort. Hunting days require more energy; at rest, the ration must be reduced to protect the joints.

The Italian Pointer, or Bracco Italiano, is one of the oldest pointing dogs in Europe. One sometimes distinguishes a lighter Piedmontese type and a more massive Lombard type. It is recognized by the FCI in group 7.