Pointing Dogs: Bracco Italiano, Brittany, English Pointer,

POINTING DOGS

Bracco Italiano

UPKEEP: 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. 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 sleeps well at night and is healthy. 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.



HEALTH CONCERNS: Gastric Torsion, Entropion, Hip Dysplasia


STANDARD:


ORIGIN : Italy.


GENERAL APPEARANCE : Of strong and harmonious construction, powerful appearance. The preferred subjects are those with lean limbs, well developed muscles, well defined lines with a markedly sculpted head and a very obvious lower orbital chiselling, elements which all contribute to give distinction to this breed.


IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : Length of the body is the same or a little more than the height at the withers. Length of head is equal to 4/10 of the height at the withers; its width, measured at the level of the zygomatic arches, is less than half its length. Skull and muzzle are of equal length.


BEHAVIOR/TEMPERAMENT: The Bracco is very much a people loving dog. They thrive on human companionship and have a need to be close to their people. The breed bonds closely with its family. The closer to his owner a Bracco is, the more content he is. It is affectionate and loyal. Bracchi love to play. They get along well with other dogs and pets. They are very willing to please. The Bracco is highly trainable, but can be stubborn. Harsh reprimands do not work with this breed, because they will ignore the command and nothing will be accomplished. The breed loves to hunt, and they excel at it. The Bracco knows when it has a job to do and takes it seriously. They are an active breed and need sufficient exercise to keep them happy. As puppies they may chew, but are not neurotic as some other high energy breeds are prone to be. Unlike other gundog breeds there is not a difference between show/pet lines and hunting lines.






HEAD : Angular and narrow at the level of the zygomatic arches; its length corresponds to 4/10 of the height at the withers; the middle of its length is at the level of a line which unite the inner angles of both eyes. The upper longitudinal axes of the skull and muzzle are divergent, i.e. if extending the top line of the muzzle, this one must emerge in front of the occipital protuberance, ideally at mid-length of the skull.


CRANIAL REGION :


Skull : Seen in profile, the skull is in the shape of a very open arch. Seen from the top, it forms lengthwise an elongated ellipse. The width of the skull, measured at the level of the zygomatic arches, should not exceed half of the length of the head. The bulge of the forehead and the supraorbital ridges are perceptible. The frontal groove is visible and ends at mid-length of the skull. The interparietal crest is short and not very prominent. The occipital protuberance is pronounced.


Stop : Not pronounced.


FACIAL REGION :


Nose : Voluminous, with large well opened nostrils, protrudes slightly over the lips with which it forms an angle. Color : More or less pink to flesh-colour or brown, depending on the colour of the coat.


Muzzle : Foreface either slightly arched or straight. Its length is equal to half of the length of the head and its depth measures 4/5 of its length. Seen from the front, the lateral sides of the muzzle converge slightly, still presenting a foreface of good width. The chin not very apparent.


Lips : Upper lips well developed, thin and floppy without being flaccid, covering the jaw; seen in profile, they overlap the lower jaw slightly. Seen from the front, they form an inverted « V » below the nose; the corner of the lips must be marked without being droopy.


Jaws/Teeth : Dental arches well adapted, with the teeth square to the jaw; scissor bite - pincer bite is also acceptable.


Cheeks : Lean.


Eyes : Semi-lateral position with a soft and submissive expression, neither deep set nor prominent. Eyes fairly large, eyelids oval-shaped and close fitting (no entropion or ectropion). The iris is of a more or less dark ochre or brown colour depending on the coat colour.


Leathers : Well developed, in length they should, without being stretched, reach the tip of the nose. Their width is at least equal to half their length; raised only very slightly; base rather narrow, set rather backwards at level of zygomatic arches; a supple ear with a front rim well turned inwards and really close to the cheek is appreciated; the lower extremity of the ear ends in a slightly rounded tip.


NECK : Powerful, in truncated cone shape, length not less than 2/3 of the length of the head, well detached from the nape. The throat shows a soft double dewlap.


BODY :


Topline : The upper profile of the back is made up of two lines : one, almost straight, slopes from the withers to the 11th dorsal vertebra; the other is slightly arched, joining with the line of the rump.


Withers : Well defined, with the points of the shoulder-blades well separated.


Loin : Wide lumbar region, muscled, short and slightly convex.


Croup : Long (about 1/3 of the height at the withers), broad and well muscled; the ideal pelvic angulation (angle formed by the pelvic girdle with a horizontal line) is 30°. Pelvis wide.


Chest : Broad, deep and well let down to level of elbows, without forming a keel, with well sprung ribs, particularly in their lower part, and sloping.


Underline : Lower profile almost horizontal in its ribcage part, rising slightly in its abdominal part.


TAIL : Thick at the base, straight, with a slight tendency to taper; hair short. When the dog is in action and especially when questing, is carried horizontally or nearly like that. The tail can be docked.


LIMBS


FOREQUARTERS :


Shoulders : Strong, well muscled, long and sloping, very free in their movement.


Upper arm : Sloping, fitting to the ribcage.


Elbow : The point of the elbow should be on perpendicular line from the rear point of the shoulder-blade to the ground.


Forearm : Strong, straight, with strong and well marked sinews.


Pasterns : Well proportioned, lean, of good length and slightly sloping.


Front feet : Strong, slightly oval shaped; well arched and tight toes, with strong nails well curved towards the ground. Color of nails is white, yellow or brown, of a more or less dark shade depending on the colOr of the coat; pads elastic and lean.


HINDQUARTERS :


Upper thigh : Long, parallel, muscular, with a rear edge almost straight.


Lower thigh : Strong.


Hocks : Wide.


Metatarsus : Relatively short and lean.


Hind feet : With all the characteristics of the front feet; they have dewclaws, the absence of which is not a fault. Double dewclaw is tolerated.


GAIT/MOVEMENT: Extended and fast trot, with powerful impulsion from the hindquarters; head raised, nose held high in such a way that, when hunting, the nose is higher than the topline.


SKIN : Tough but elastic; finer on the head, the throat, the armpits and on the lower parts of the body. The visible mucous membranes must be of a corresponding colour with the coat, but never show black spots. The mucous membranes of the mouth are pink; in the roans or white and chestnut coloured dogs they sometimes show brown or pale chestnut spotting.


COAT


FUR: Short, dense and glossy, finer and shorter on the head, the ears, front part of the legs and feet.


COLOR:


• White.


• White with patches of varied size of an orange or more or less dark amber color.


• 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 monk’s frock.


A symmetrical facial mask is preferred, but the absence of a mask is tolerated.


SIZE AND WEIGHT:


Height at the withers : Between 55 and 67 cm.


Preferred size for males : 58 - 67 cm.


Preferred size for females : 55 - 62 cm.


Weight : Between 25 and 40 kg depending on size.


FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.


DISQUALIFICATIONS:


• Aggresive or overly shy.


• Convergence of cranial-facial axes.


• Split nose.


• Accentuated undershot mouth, overshot mouth.


• Wall eye.


• Coat black, white and black, tricolour, fawn, hazel, unicolor, with tan markings.


• Absence of pigmentation (Albinism).


• Mucous membranes, skin and annexes with traces of black.


• Size of 2 cm above or below the limits indicated in the standard.






Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.


THIS BREED STANDARD IS BASED ON THE FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (FCI) (www.fci.be) BREED STANDARD.

Brittany

UPKEEP: At least 1 hour of exertion daily. Regular brushing is important, but their shorter coats need minimal maintenance.











HEALTH CONCERNS: Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism









ORIGIN : France.









STANDARD:









GENERAL APPEARANCE : Smallest of the pointing breeds. The Brittany spaniel is a dog with a Continental spaniel-type head (braccoïde in French) and a short or inexistent tail. Built harmoniously on a solid but not weighty frame. The whole is compact and well-knit, without undue heaviness, while staying sufficiently elegant. The dog is vigorous, the look is bright and the expression intelligent. The general aspect is COBBY, full of energy, having conserved in the course of its evolution the short-coupled model sought after and fixed by those having recreated the breed.









IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :









• The skull is longer than the muzzle, with a ratio of 3 : 2.









• Head is in proportion to the body.









• The depth of the chest, from withers to brisket, is slightly less than half the height of the dog.









• The scapulo-ischial length (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks) is equal to the height at the withers (the dog fits in a square).





















BEHAVIOR/TEMPERAMENT: The Brittany is strong, quick and agile, requiring exercise and activity to occupy his body and mind. He is a happy and alert dog who possesses willing attitude. Dog adapting itself to any environment, sociable, with an intelligent and attentive expression, mentally balanced. Versatile pointing dog, for any game on any terrain, precocious in revealing its hunting passion. Remarkable in its searching for game, its gaits, its scenting ability, its ranging in the field, its spontaneity and duration of pointing, its retrieving and its aptitude for training.









HEAD : The features are fnely chiselled. The skin fits tightly.









CRANIAL REGION : Slightly rounded as seen from the front or the side. Seen from above, the lateral surfaces are slightly convex. The top lines of the head and the muzzle are parallel. The width of the skull measured between the zygomatic arches is less than its length. The supercilliary arches are not prominent but form a slightly rounded curve. The frontal furrow as well as the sagittal crest are slightly defined. The stop is moderate. The occipital crest as well as the zygomatic arches are moderately defined.









FACIAL REGION :









Nose : Large, with very wide, humid and well-open nostrils, of a colour in harmony with that of the coat, as is the case of the edges of the eyelids and natural orifices.









Muzzle : Straight, with lateral surfaces practically parallel.









Lips : Not loose, not very large, relatively thin and fitting tightly. The lower is discreetly masked by the upper whose contour bends progressively until reaching the commisure, which is not too apparent and tightly closed. The whole is free of depigmentation.









Jaws/Teeth : The teeth are set square to the jaws and form a complete and healthy set. Scissors bite.









Cheeks : Not heavy, the skin fitting tightly.









Eyes : Slightly oblique. With an intelligent, soft and frank expression. Somewhat oval, not protruding, with fine, well pigmented, tightly fitting eyelids. The colour of the iris is in keeping with the colour of the coat, preferably dark. Eye expression coupled with upward movement of the base of the ears gives rise to the true « Brittany expression.









Ears : Set high, triangular in shape, relatively large and rather short, (drawn forward, the tip of the ear reaches the stop). Partially covered with wavy hair, especially in the upper part, the extremity being covered by short hair. Always quite mobile when the dog is attentive or in action.









NECK : Of medium length and well muscled, in the form of a slightly curved, never arched, truncated cone. Set smoothly to the shoulders and without dewlap.









BODY :









Topline : Level to the loins and the beginning of the croup.









Withers : Sufficiently mobile and hardly protruding, without being loaded.









Back : Straight, short and rigid, well coupled.









Loin : Short, broad and muscular.









Hip : Very slightly slanting, broad and muscular.









Chest : Let down to elbow level, broad with ribs well sprung but not barrel chested. Sternum wide and scarcely rising towards the rear. The rearmost ribs long and supple.









Abdomen : Slightly tucked-up.









Flank : Slightly rising and short.









TAIL : Set high, carried horizontally (or slightly lowered), often lively when the dog is attentive or in action. The Brittany can be born tailless or with a tail. The tail can be docked.









LIMBS









FOREQUARTERS : Limbs well poised. Joints flexible and sturdy.









Shoulder : Mobile, long (30% of the height at the withers), close to the body with thick muscle. Its slope is that of a galloper, between 55 and 60 degrees from the horizontal. The tips of the shoulder blades are separated by 5 cm (2 ’’).









Arm : Heavy, thick and very muscular. It is slightly longer than the shoulder blade. The scapulo-humeral angle (between the shoulder blade and the arm) is between 115 and 120 degrees .









Forearm : Muscular and clean. Slightly longer than the arm. It should be practically perpendicular to the ground.









Elbow : Close to body - neither in nor out.









Metacarpus (Pastern) : Solid while maintaining a certain flexibility, slightly oblique (between 15 and 20 degrees from the vertical).









Feet : Rather round, toes tight, pads firm, toenails short.









HINDQUARTERS : Limbs well poised and parallel when seen from behind.









Thigh : Important with thick and bulging muscles. It should be slanted between 70 and 75 degrees from the horizontal.









Lower thigh : Very slightly longer than the thigh with clean, bulging muscles. Broad in the upper part, diminishing gradually in size towards its junction with the hock. The angle between the upper thigh and lower thigh is close to 130 degrees.









Hock : Clean, with visible tendons.









Metatarsus (Rear pastern) : Solid, nearly vertical when seen from the side.









Feet : Longer than the forefeet, while maintaining the same characteristics.









GAIT/MOVEMENT: The different gaits are easy but powerful, even and lively. The legs move straight without exaggerated bouncing of the body and without rolling, the top line staying level. The canter is the most common gait in the field, the strides are rapid and of medium length, the hind legs having little extension to the rear (collected canter).









SKIN : Fine, tight fitting and well pigmented.









COAT









FUR: The coat is fine but not silky, lying flat on the body or with a hint of a wave. Never curly. Short on the head and the front of the limbs. The hind part of the latter has a heavier coat, furnished with abundant feathering, diminishing along their length down to the carpus (wrist) or the tarsus (hock), or even lower.









COLOR : White and orange, white and black, white and liver, with more or less extensive irregular white patches. Piobald or roan, sometimes with ticking on the top and sides of the muzzle or the limbs.









Equally, in the case of tricolour coats, with tan spotting (orange to dark tan) on the top and sides of the muzzle, over the eyes, on the limbs, on the chest and over the base of the tail.









A narrow blaze is desirable with any color of coat.









A self colored coat is not allowed.









SIZE:









Heitght at the wither :









Males : 48 cm minimum (18,9 ’’) with a tolerance of 1 cm (0,4 ’’).









51 cm maximum (20,1 ’’) with a tolerance of 1 cm (0,4 ’’).









Ideal height : 49 to 50 cm (19,3 ’’ to 19,7 ’’).









Females : 47 cm minimum (18,5 ’’) with a tolerance of 1 cm (0,4 ’’).









50 cm maximum (20,1 ’’) with a tolerance of 1 cm (0,4 ’’).









Ideal height : 48 to 49 cm (18,9 ’’ to 19,3 ’’).









FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.









• Character : Timidity, shifty-eyed.









• Head planes : Somewhat divergent.









• Nose : Very slightly depigmented, interior of the nostrils depigmented.









• Teeth : Pincer bite, teeth out of line.









• Muzzle : Pinched or snipy.









• Lips : Heavy, pendulous, upper lip covering the lower either insufficiently or excessively.









• Eyes : Prominent, round or almond shaped.









• Ears : Hung too low or falling away too shaprly









• Back : Arched or saddle back.









• Croup : Too narrow or falling away too sharply.









• Abdomen : Bulky or too tucked up (whippety).









• Feet : Splayed, too round or too long.









• Neck : Heavy and lacking reach. Throatiness.









• Loin : Long, narrow, weak.









• Flank : Too hollow, often accompanied by a weak loin lacking breadth.









• Limbs : Insufficient bone. Out at the elbows, pigeon toed, slew feet.









• Coat : Not heavy enough on the body.





















SERIOUS FAULTS :









• Behavior : Sluggish .









• Skull : Zygomatic arches too prominent, stop very pronounced, superciliary arches too prominent.









• Eyes : Light, mean look, haw-like expression.









• Neck : Excessively long, distinct dewlap.









• Gait : Poor mover.





















ELIMINATING FAULTS :









• Any fault in temperament such as: snapping, aggressiveness towards dog or man, excessive shyness.









• Lack of type : Insufficient breed characteristics, which means the animal on the whole doesn’t resemble other samples of the breed.









• Height : Outside the limits defined by the standard.









• Head planes : Marked convergence.









• Abnormal markings : White spot on the ear or eye in a white patch.









• Eyes : Very light in colour, heterochromia (eyes of different colours), squinting entropion, ectropion.









• Jaws : Overshot or undershot mouth.









• Teeth : The first premolars of both jaws and the last molars of the lower jaw are considered without importance. Can only be admitted the absence of 2 PM2 or 1 PM2 and 1 PM3. Contiguous absence of these two teeth (PM2 and PM3) is eliminating. Absence of any other tooth is eliminating.









• Pigmentation : Distinct unpigmented areas on the nose or eyelids.









• Presence of dewclaws, even if rudimentary.









• Serious morphological anomaly.





















Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.



















THIS BREED STANDARD IS BASED ON THE FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (FCI) (www.fci.be) BREED STANDARD.



English Pointer

UPKEEP: The English Pointer needs lots of exercise, at lease one hour per day as well as a yard to run around in.  It does best with human companionship.  Coat care is minimal, only an occasional brushing to remove dead hairs.

HEALTH CONCERNS: Entropion, Hip Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Cataract, Deafness, Tail-Tip injuries

STANDARD:

General Appearance
Symmetrical and well built all over, general outline a series of graceful curves. A strong but lissom appearance.

Characteristics
Aristocratic. Alert with appearance of strength, endurance and speed.


Temperament
Kind, even disposition, very energetic.

Head and Skull
Skull of medium breadth, in proportion to length of foreface, stop well defined, pronounced occipital bone. Nose and eye rims dark, but may be lighter in the case of a lemon and white coloured dog. Nostrils wide, soft and moist. Muzzle somewhat concave, ending on level with nostrils, giving a slightly dish-faced appearance. Slight depression under eyes, cheek bones not prominent, well developed soft lip.

Eyes
Same distance from occiput as from nostrils, bright and kindly in expression. Either hazel or brown according to colour of coat. Neither bold nor staring, not looking down the nose.

Ears
Leathers thin, set on fairly high, lying close to head, of medium length, slightly pointed at tips.

Mouth
Jaws strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Long, muscular, slightly arched, springing cleanly from shoulders and free from throatiness.

Forequarters
Shoulders long, sloping and well laid back. Chest just wide enough for plenty of heart room. Brisket well let down, to level with elbows. Forelegs straight and firm, with good oval bone, with back sinews strong and visible. Knee joint flat with front leg and protruding very little on inside. Pasterns lengthy, strong and resilient. Slightly sloping.

Body
Well sprung ribs carried well back gradually falling away at strong muscular and slightly arched loins. Short-coupled. Haunch bones well spaced and prominent, not above level of back.

Hindquarters
Very muscular. Well turned stifles. Good expanse of first and second thigh. Hocks well let down.

Feet
Oval, well knit, arched toes, well cushioned.

Tail
Medium length, thick at root, tapering gradually to a point. Well covered with close hair, carried on a level with back, with no upward curl. In movement, tail should lash from side to side.

Gait/Movement
Smooth, covering plenty of ground. Driving hind action, elbows neither in nor out. Definitely not a hackney action.

Coat
Fine, short, hard and evenly distributed, perfectly smooth and straight with decided sheen.

Color
Usual colors are lemon and white, orange and white, liver and white, and black and white. Self colors and tricolors are also correct.

Size
Desirable heights at withers: dogs: 63-69 cms (25-27 ins); females: 61-66 cms (24-26 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

THIS BREED STANDARD IS BASED ON THE KENNEL CLUB (KCGB) (thekennelclub.og.uk) BREED STANDARD.