Bracos: European Hunting Dogs

Within the family of pointers exists a group of European breeds referred to as Bracos. Well known inside of Europe for their hunting prowess these dogs have only recently begun to make inroads into the American Kennel Club's list of recognized dog breeds. In accord with the definition assigned by dog experts the bracoides belong to breeds of dogs that have a prism shaped head. One of the primary physical characteristics that define the bracos from other pointers is the fact that their cranial-facial lines are divergent as opposed to the setter that has parallel cranial-facial lines. The Braco is perhaps the one hunting dog that embodies all the qualities that any hunter could ask for in a hunting dog. The origins of the Braco is a much

disputed topic amongst dog experts and the search for the origins of the word braco have also given rise to much heated debate. What is true and generally accepted is that there are documents that speak of the direct ascendants of the Italian Braco that date to around 1000 AD. The Emperor Charlemagne issued a decree in 802 AD. that stated "anyone found mistreating or abusing a braconem parvum or brambraccus would be fined four denarios". All of these disputes about the Bracos lineage and origins are of little importance compared to its abilities and outstanding qualities when hunting. What is truly interesting is that this breed of hunting dog has maintained its purity as a hunting breed down through the centuries. This breed, while maintaining its physical characteristics, has over the course of time has become divided into three well defined groups, the Italian, the French and the German Bracos.

Hunting Dogs Good Hunter? Gun Dog Breeds Hunting Setter English Setter Gordon Setter Laverack Setter Irish Setter Bracos Hunters Italian Bracos French Braco Saint Germain Braco Auvernia Braco German Shorthaired Pointer or Kurzhaar Hungarian Pointer Italian Bracos French Braco Saint Germain Braco Auvernia Braco German Shorthaired Pointer or Kurzhaar Hungarian Pointer Epagneul Breton Griffons as Hunters Italian Griffon Spinone Italiano Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals German Wirehaired German Wirehaired Pointer or Drahthaar Pointers as Hunting Dogs Perdiguero de Burgos or Spanish Pointer Perdiguero Navarro Old Spanish Pointer English Pointer Retrievers as Hunters Labrador Golden Retriever Golden Retriever History of the English Cocker Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Springer Spaniel Hounds as Hunters Porcelaine History of the Harrier Harrier Beagle Beagles Ibizan Hound Podenco Ibicenco Ibizan Hound Sicilian Greyhound Cirneco dell' Etna Sicilian Greyhound Training Hunting Dogs Why train hunting dog puppies New Puppy Puppy Hunting House training Puppy Potty Training Hunting Name Dog Training Come Command Puppy Stay Accidents & illnesses Rabies symptoms Canine distemper Canine Leptopirosis Internal parasites Types of Worms Hydatid cysts External parasites Ears-Eyes Care Emergencies Care Resuscitating a dog Types of Dog Skin Injury Hunting dog hemorrhages Correct Nutrition Nutrition Hand feeding Puppy Food Breed Reproduction Breeding Cycle Spaying Mating When to Breed Pregnancy of the female dog Birthing puppy dogs Dog Kennel