This
standard is also used when judging the Spinone. As yet no working standard
exists in it’s own right for Spinone recognised by ENCI. I understand that it
is the intention of CISP to seek that the same standard be adopted for the
Spinone.
Working
Standard of the Bracco Italiano.
(The Pastrone
Standard 1937.)
The gait is a trot, long and
brisk. Brief periods of galloping are tolerated when re-crossing previously
covered ground, at the beginning of the hunt or in cases where the dog encounters
a new situation. Above all, the rule when working scent is the trot, this is a
lively movement that covers the ground well.
The dog during the hunt should
quarter at distances of 100 metres or more from the handler and the spacing of
its cast should reflect the terrain, wind and scenting conditions. These
actions confirm that the dog is hunting correctly.
It is evident that in the
Bracco Italiano (as with the other trotters) the preoccupation with the scent
is of prime importance. Unlike the lightening reaction of the great gallopers
the Italian Bracchi treat the process as a complex mental process that is
easily read in his expression, which is one of thought.
The hunt is extremely diligent
and enjoyed by the dog with its tail carried horizontally or slightly higher,
constantly moving rhythmically from side to side as the dog moves (not rapidly
as with the spaniel).
The neck should be a little
extended in order to hold the head high with the nose angled acutely from the
horizontal.
Upon detecting scent the dog
gradually slows and returns extremely prudently towards its presumed origin,
head held high as described above, its ears cocked and tail motionless and
slightly lowered. If the dog realises that it is on residual (old) scent then
he should resume the hunt as before. If however he decides that the scent is
leading him closer to game he should slow and his final steps should be very
slow often gently feeling the ground with his paw before putting his weight on
it as if afraid to make a noise.
When pointing, his tail may be
horizontal, slightly raised, or slightly lowered but always motionless.
The over all deportment of the
dog is noble, imposing, alert but calm, erect and slightly forward balanced.
The neckline should be a little raised and the head carried
up with the nose decisively towards the ground (approx. 30 degrees from the
horizontal).
If
while hunting he encounters scent which indicates that game is very close he
will immediately slow and take up a posture similar to when standing still,
only with his neckline a little more pronounced and the tail a little lower. He
and will then gradually take up the behaviour described in the previous
paragraphs following the scent, which brings him into contact with the game.
Sometimes this movement is preceded by an undesirable short stop.
A dog that senses he is
suddenly upon the game (and only in this case) will stop immediately. He will
stay, more often than not, upright, or with the limbs a little flexed with the
head turned down towards the game. Exceptionally the dog may halt in a
contorted or twisted pose.
If the game attempts to escape
along the ground while being hunted, the dog should guide the it to wind by its
own physical movement, exercising caution not to disturb where possible dry
branches or noisy leaves while maintaining contact with it.
While the game is moving the dog should track it without
slowing or stopping unnecessarily demonstrating that all its described
characteristics do not prevent it from being a tenacious tracker. It maybe that
in these circumstances a dog may come to an abrupt halt should it suddenly
encounter game which has, in an attempt to escape, turned back after
encountering an obstacle.
A characteristic of the Bracco
(and the other continentals) is that it should have complete contact with its
handler, which the dog should always maintain.
The dogs calm and reflective nature is ideal to train for work in all conditions whether in open country or more dense areas where a tighter working pattern is desirable.
Click here to see an
artificial pointing situation on a caged
rabbit which
shows the behaviour described above.
Click here to see Italian
dog point,flush and retrieve.