Maintenance

Photo courtesy of Casa Bravo Kennels.

The Bracco Italiano requires daily exercise. If not given enough exertion they can become overly rambunctious and possibly destructive. A long walk or jog is a good way to exercise a Bracco. They make good jogging companions. Another way is to allow them to run free in a large, safely enclosed area. They love to swim, and it is good exercise for them. A young Bracco (or young dog of any large breed) should not be exercised by a bicycle, or any other method that would overly stress their growing bones. If they do not have access to a place to run on their own, 2 hours of exercise daily is probably best. A well exercised Bracco is a tractable, calm companion that sleep well at night and is healthy.

The breed requires no difficult maintenance to keep its coat at its best. A hound glove is essential for the grooming of a Bracco. A boar's hair brush can also come in handy (this type of brush bring the oils to the top of the coat, making it shiny). A few minutes of brushing each week should keep the coat in good condition. Show dogs may need to be brushed more often, especially right before a show. The tips of the ears tend to get dirty, since they are long enough to get in the dog's water when he drinks. Scrubbing the ends with a wet rag usually does the trick, but sometimes a mild soap is needed to dissolve the dirt. Being a breed with large lips they are prone to drool a lot.

Photo courtesy of Casa Bravo Kennels.

Bracchi eat a lot. They are large dogs that require a lot of food. They have high metabolisms and burn up food quickly- especially if they exercise a lot. A high calorie diet is probably your best choice to keep weight on your Bracco. Of course, be careful that the dog does not become overweight. Ask your breeder for suggestions on a good brand of food. Dry dog food (especially for a dog that eats this much) is probably the best. Make sure that the food is nutritionally balanced. It would be best to talk to your vet or breeder before adding any supplements that might upset the balance. The Bracco's coat is a good way to judge if the food is working for your dog. A Bracco with a good diet should have a healthy looking, shiny coat that is slighly oily to the touch. A dull coat may indicate poor diet.

They will need to have their toenails trimmed, with special attention to the dewclaws since they cannot naturally be worn down on the ground. The nails can either be shortened by using a nail clipper or by using a Dremel tool. This should be done at least every couple of weeks. Show dogs' nails need to be kept shorter. Shorter nails are less likely to snag and tend to be more confortable for the dog. Bracchi should be bathed only when necessary. Like many gundog and hound breeds, if they are bathed too often, the natural oils in the coat can be damaged. Dog shampoo is preferable, but any mild shampoo will work just as well. Avoid any chemicals that could be harmful to the dog.

If fed dry dog food, a Bracco's teeth should not become too dirty. Brushing them is a good option, for the dog's health as well as appearance. You can purchase a finger brush and flavored dog toothpaste if it becomes an issue. Most dogs chew enough on their own to keep their teeth clean. It is best to get your dog used to having their teeth cleaned from a young age, even if you do not plan on cleaning them often. Dirty teeth can become a health issue and should be handled appropriately.

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