Segugio Italiano
10-14 yrs
37-60 lbs
19-28"
Italy

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Segugio Italiano

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Segugio Italiano

37-60 lbs

19-28"

Italy

Segugio, Italian Hound

The Segugio Italiano is an ancient breed of dog, dating back thousands of years. This dog excelled as a hunting dog and was originally used in packs of dogs to hunt wild boar, but later became used for the hare and rabbit. Their sense of smell is exceptional.

The Segugio is a dog that likes to be around people; they are very quiet and calm dogs. Gentle with children, they make ideal child minders. Eager to please, they respond best to a calm yet strong leader, who teaches through praise and reward. This dog has a ton of natural energy and would love a country setting. Although they do adapt to town living, they need regular exercise to maintain a healthy frame of mind.

Socialized well when young, they become friendly and affectionate companions. They need to be taught when young to be left for short periods of time, to get them used to their own company. The Segugio Italiano has a natural ability to learn, and they are eager to please. They can have a touch of stubbornness, usually if training is becoming boring. Gentle and friendly with other dogs, their high hunting instincts render them not so good with smaller pets. They are not suitable for apartment living, requiring too much exercise and having a loud, melodious voice when stating an opinion.

                
                Purpose
              
Hunting, Companion

                Date of Origin
              
Ancient Times

                Ancestry
              
Ancient Egyptian Hounds, Celtic Hounds, Mastiff

Segugio Italiano Health

Average Size

Height: 20-30 inches Weight: 39-62 lbs

Height: 19-28 inches Weight: 37-60 lbs

Major Concerns

None Known

Minor Concerns

Ear Infections

Occasional Diagnoses

Bloat

Occasional Tests

Ear Examination
Regular Full Physical Examination By Veterinarian
Blood Tests and Analysis

Segugio Italiano Breed History

The history of the Segugio Italiano is lost to the past, but it is acknowledged to be an ancient breed, often quoted as being a descendant of the Pharoah Hounds of the Middle East. In times of ancient Gaul - now France, they were established with local tribal groups of the region. The Romans adopted the Segugio Italiano upon their invasion of the country and the breed was moved to Italy where further refinement took place and the work use of the Segugio Italiano expanded. The Segugio was known to hunt in packs for the infamous Emperor Caliguli and were depicted in statues of Diana, the Goddess of Hunting. You can find artifacts to substantiate this in the museums in Italy, the Vatican and elsewhere in Europe.

The Segugio Italiano hunted in large packs, and although not as good as the Bloodhound in tracking prey, they did possess the instinct to capture or kill prey in their master's absence. The demand for this elegant dog decreased, and they became quite rare in the nineteenth century. Introduction of some Mastiff blood into the pedigree developed this dog into an animal that was more versatile, even capable of working alone. This new trait appealed to the hunter who wasn't interested in keeping large packs of dogs to hunt. While they are now a popular dog within their homeland, their popularity has not spread far beyond the borders. But this beautiful dog has gained ground amongst the locals and is now considered as one of the ten most popular breeds within their homeland of Italy.

Segugio Italiano Breed Appearance

The Segugio Italiano is of medium to large in size, and possesses a strong lean yet muscular build. Their limbs are long and lean and are sufficiently strong and dense to withstand the impact of traversing uneven ground. Long, tough paws and pads help when running over tough terrain. The Segugio Italiano has a square shaped body with their height being equal to their body length. Broad but not stocky, the Italiano Hound has an athlete's body, deep chest, and an abdomen that is flat but not tucked. Their long slender neck supports a long, large head with a muzzle that has a Roman nose effect. With an oval skull and broad muzzle, this dog is obviously dependent on their keen sense of smell. The dog's long triangular ears ares set low on the side of the head, and are held forward towards the muzzle. The Segugio Italiano has elegant almond shaped eyes that are a dark, warm amber, and they have a kind gentle expression. Long, lean hunting machines, this dog can either have a sleek, smooth coat, or a longer wiry coat. The individual dogs can have different colorations as well, varying from fawn to a combination of black and tan. Some may even have white markings, but usually, this dog has a warm colored golden look that highlights their exceptional build.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Amber

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Brown

Fawn

Red

Pied

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Segugio Italiano Breed Maintenance

The Segugio Italiano is an easy dog for maintenance, requiring only a good brushing once a week to care for their coat. They can come in both the short haired variety which is smooth, thick and shiny, or they can have coarse hair, which is harsh, dense and wiry. Brushing with a quality bristle brush will remove any loose hair from either coat. Hardy and resistant, this dog rarely needs a bath, as they take care of their health. If you do need to bathe them, it is advisable to use a gentle dog shampoo. This product will protect the natural oils in their coat which protect them from the weather elements. Check inside the ears often to prevent a build up of wax or debris from causing inflammation, cleaning them with a soft damp cloth. Usually, this dog's active life takes care of their long toenails, which are often worn down rather than cut. But they will need help keeping those teeth healthy and white, so train them from a young age to accept teeth brushing as just a part of life. The Segugio Italiano is an active dog that requires a lot of exercise and loves to run and roam. Regular exercise on a daily basis is imperative to keep this dog happy and healthy.

Brushes for Segugio Italiano

Pin Brush

Slicker Brush

Comb

Deshedder

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Segugio Italiano Temperament

Although the Segugio Italiano is mostly known as a hunting dog, the Segugio is a kind, gentle dog that will adapt admirably to family life. A home without other small furry pets is probably the wisest, as they have strong hunting instincts that may spell disaster for other small critters. They may bark to warn of strangers, but will not attack.

While not a clingy dog, they do love to have company and will resent being left alone. Boredom can soon set in if they are not cared for or are left too long, which can result in destructive behavior. You may come home to a redesigned garden, or if left inside they may have done an instant makeover of your lounge. Floating pieces of fluff in the air is an indication of the mischief your dog has had by entertaining themselves. The Segugio Italiano responds to kind but firm guidance; they need a strong pack leader that they can respect and want to obey. Although they can have a touch of stubbornness (like most of the Hound family members), they are intelligent and reasonably eager to please. Incentives such as praise and the occasional treat will get you past this stumbling block. Elegant and delightful, the Segugio Italiano is a unique and gentle dog for a family pet.

Segugio Italiano Activity Requirements

The Segugio Italiano has been bred to hunt, and hunt they do - very efficiently. They are capable of spending a whole day in the field, moving constantly. Their stamina is well known and valued by owners, who can give this dog the amount of exercise they regularly need. At home, the Segugio Italiano tends to be quieter and more low key, unless something sparks their imagination and then, they can burst into action immediately. If you are keeping one as a companion dog, you must be prepared to devote at least two hours a day with this dog, either running or on a long country walk. They make ideal companions for the cyclist or runner, but need to be on a leash in case they see a small furry creature of interest, in which case they may take off, disappearing after it over the horizon. This dog is ideal for country living, yet can adapt to the city. Be aware that they have a very melodious voice when bored or alone, which the neighbors may not appreciate. They are playful and make ideal buddies for children, being gentle and kind in their nature.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
16 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
120 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Segugio Italiano

Similarly Sized Breeds to Segugio Italiano

Segugio Italiano Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00

Segugio Italiano Height & Weight

6 Months

                  Height: 13.0 inches
                  Weight: 13.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 11.0 inches
                  Weight: 11.5 lbs
                
12 Months

                  Height: 20.5 inches
                  Weight: 26.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 19.0 inches
                  Weight: 24.0 lbs
                
18 Months

                  Height: 27.0 inches
                  Weight: 51.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 25.0 inches
                  Weight: 49.0 lbs

Written by a Golden Labrador Retriever lover Jean Brewer

Published: 05/03/2018, edited: 02/06/2024

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