The "Bracco Italiano" Genetic and Genealogical Study (BIGGS)

The Italian Bracco is one of the oldest pointing dog breed that has been used for hunting since the Renaissance period. Paintings of the 14th century show hunting scenes depicting dogs similar to the present day’s Bracco. The breed has officially registered by the ENCI (the Italian Cynological Club) in 1949, when the definitive standard was established. The SABI (Società Amatori Bracco Italiano) is financing a research project aimed at investigating the demographic, genetic and genealogical structure of the breed. In the first phase of the project the complete electronic database of the breed was obtained. The total number of animals on record, born between 1970 and April 2007, was 20,499. The maximum number of traced generations was 14. Here, we show the main demographic parameters of this important breed, which highlights the trend of the inbreeding coefficient during this period. We wish to thank the President and the Board of Directors of the SABI for having actively promoted the present project among the Society’s members.