It
is three years since the last article I wrote for the HPR
supplement and there has been a major change for the Bracco
Italiano. We were notified in March of 2007 that the breed
had finally achieved full recognition, as from January 2008
we were classed as a Rare Breed and therefore able to compete
on a more even basis with other breeds. WELKS 2008 saw the
first Championship Show classes with an entry of 42 dogs
and apart from Crufts this year which attracted an entry
of 57 generally the entry at Champ Shows has been around
the low to mid 20’s. This, I feel, compares very favourably
with the more established breeds and is on a par with several
of the numerically smaller CC’d breeds. Although the
Bracco has yet to be placed in the group at a Championship
Show, only one dog so far has been shortlisted, they are
definitely making their mark at Open Shows with three BIS’s
to date and numerous group placings. Interest is definitely
growing in the breed as a show dog, hardly surprising as
there is very little more stunning than a Bracco seen in
full flow. It is not unusual to be approached ringside by
a fellow exhibitor who is, having watched the Bracco in
the ring, considering them as a second breed. I hope those
who are considering the breed do their research thoroughly
and take on board the character and strong instincts of
this breed.
Breed
type is often a hot topic around the show ring and many
in the breed have strong views as to the ‘correct’
type. As there is a quite a diversity of type on the continent
this is bound to be seen in the ring here, the difference
in height and substance between individuals can be quite
marked but exhibits should, of course, meet the breed
standard. Interpretation of the standard is always going
to be contentious but that is the same in any breed, is
part and parcel of the dog world and what makes it a fascinating
and continuous learning process.
I
do not think any one kennel has yet had as great an impact
on the breed in the UK as the Sentling kennel. Liz and
Jonathan Shaw’s affix can be seen in the pedigrees
of many of today’s top winning dogs and has been
the starting point for many of the kennels now seen in
the ring, my own included. Those of us who love this breed
owe them much; they laid a strong foundation for us to
build on.
Thankfully
there is, as yet, no division between the working and
the show lines in the breed, long may this continue. The
number of Bracchi working on local shoots is gradually
increasing and their ability as a working dog is much
appreciated. Currently very few Bracchi are seen in gundog
competition but hopefully this will change. Having recently
experienced Working Tests as a novice competitor I’ve
noticed people frequently give my young bitch and I a
slightly quizzical second glance but we have been greeted
with a friendly mixture of curiosity and encouragement
along with plenty of helpful advice. I have found learning
these new skills side by side with Cully incredibly rewarding
and would recommend it to other Bracco owners. Liz and
Jonathan Shaw went to great lengths to promote the Bracco
as a working gundog when they first brought the breed
to these shores and we have a duty to nurture and maintain
these inherent abilities.
I’m
not aware of any litters or individual pups produced since
the ban having been docked for working so the issue of
showing with a docked tail has not affected the breed.
As many of our imports came from countries which have
had a docking ban in place for some time we are visually
accustomed to the full tail and it is not the shock to
the eye that those with the more established docked breeds
will have found. As to whether we are now going to find
a degree of tail damage occurring only time will tell.
Had the ban not been in place I am sure the vast majority
of breeders would have continued to dock. I do wonder
if it will affect people’s decisions on importing
dogs, Italy still customarily docks.
During
the three years since the last article there have been
10 new imports into the UK, 20 litters have been produced
with a total of 138 pups. In 9 of these litters one parent
was resident overseas or imported. Since the first Bracco
import in 1989, 20 years ago, 42 litters have been born
in the UK with a steady fairly even increase in the annual
birth rate. The gene pool is obviously still small and
the careful introduction of new blood lines must continue.
As the global gene pool for this breed is also small this
is no easy task and as with any new breed anomalies and
problems previously unseen in the UK will become apparent
as time goes by. So far and although some health problems
have been seen the breed is generally healthy with no
obviously widespread problems. Only by taking full advantage
of the available health tests and working together in
an open and honest way, with no apportioning of blame
when problems arise, can any breed move forward. This
is especially true when one is still in its infancy, it
is important to look at the big picture and not to focus
on one thing possibly throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
A breed health survey was recently sent to all members
of the BIS the results of which will be available in due
course.
I
doubt the vast majority of the pet owning public are aware
of the Bracco as yet but this will change. Inevitably
numbers will grow in the UK and as the breed moves out
of the hands of those involved in the dog scene, is advertised
on the internet and in local papers, trying to control
where and how the breed grows would be like trying to
hold back the tide. Something new and ‘rare’
will sadly always carry a certain cachet, we can only
do our best to promote the breed responsibly and to educate
prospective owners in what makes the Bracco Italiano special
but not necessarily the breed for everyone.
Kim
Parris
