Segugio Italiano

Despite its developed hunting instincts, strength, and endurance, the Segugio Italiano’s temperament is quite timid. It is very attached to the owner and friendly with all family members. Not aggressive. With children getting on well, patience Segugio Italiano can only be envied. To strangers relates calmly, but will carefully observe them.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The Segugio Italiano has been known since Roman times. It served peasants as a reliable partner for food extraction. The Segugio Italiano ancestors were Egyptian hounds, which the Phoenicians brought to Greece and then to Italy. The Egyptian hound’s representatives crossed with Roman molasses due to what has received a new variety of hounds. Segugio Italiano almost immediately gained popularity in their homeland. Images of dogs decorated many paintings and statues, such as Diana the hunter’s statue (Museum of Naples) and Diana with a bow and arrow (Vatican Museum).

The Segugio Italiano was one of the first breeds recognized in Milan in 1882 by the Italian Kennel Club. The standard and official recognition by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale was given to the Segugio Italiano in 1992. And in 1993 in France, the breed has won the competition for the first European Cup. Initially, representatives of the breed were used for hog hunting, but the decline of interest in hunting boars decreased the popularity of the Segugio. Now the Segugio Italiano is mainly used for hunting hares and foxes. As a pet is almost not used. Also, the breed is quite popular in Italy but is little known outside the country.

Appearance

Representatives of the Segugio Italiano have a graceful appearance and strong build. The dog is active, energetic, and full of enthusiasm to do its job. The head is long and narrow, the transition from forehead to muzzle is smooth. The eyes are dark in color with an intelligent and attentive look, almond-shaped. The ears are triangular in shape, thin and floppy, somewhat flattened to the neck. Gracefully curved neck. The compact, medium-sized body is square. It looks quite lean, but the musculature is well developed. Deep and narrow chest. The limbs are long. The tail is planted low, thin, and tapered to the end. The skin is elastic.

The coat comes in short and medium-length: shiny and thick, very soft to the touch. Coloration is possible only reddish-brown (closer to deer); black cheprak is acceptable. Defects: colored spots (mottled or tiger) on the main background, black-spotted color.

Character

Despite its developed hunting instincts, strength, and endurance, the Segugio Italiano’s temperament is quite timid. It is very attached to the owner and friendly with all family members. Not aggressive. With children getting on well, patience Segugio Italiano can only be envied. To strangers relates calmly, but will carefully observe them.

It is easy to say that the Segugio Italiano is a very companionable dog that can protect your home, keep you company on walks, and will gladly help you on the hunt. The breed is well adapted to life on any terrain. A country house is best suited for keeping it where it will feel “like a fish in water”. Do not forget about the hound’s main feature – loud and sonorous barking, which is unlikely to please the neighbors. Also, the Segugio Italiano has a rather complicated relationship with cats; here, you will need early socialization.

Care

You do not need to do anything special in the care of the Segugio Italiano. Stick to the standard recommendations and follow all the rules of hygiene. Comb out the hair several times a week. Also, check and care for the ears and eyes to prevent infections and inflammation. Bathe only as your pet becomes soiled; do not torture your pet with an abundance of water procedures.

The Segugio Italiano has an active lifestyle in which the dog’s claws are usually sharpened on their own. In case this is not enough, trim the claws at least once a month. Weather changes Segugio Italiano tolerate normal. They need long walks and like active outdoor games.

Training

Because of its gentle nature, the Segugio Italiano has a good disposition to training. It is an obedient dog that will listen to you very carefully and quickly absorb information. Segugio Italianos are terrible with loneliness, so they will be incredibly happy to spend any minute together with their owner.

In training, you will have to be persistent, but the main thing is not to overdo it. Representatives of the breed do not perceive aggression at all, so the training should take place in peace, without rudeness and humiliation.

Common Diseases

Segugio Italiano is a dog breed with a robust immune system. There are no severe or hereditary diseases. With proper care of the Segugio Italiano, the health of the pet will be perfect. The only deviation, which is inherent in the breed (due to the peculiarities of the ear’s structure) is deafness. But to prevent this, it is enough to go to the veterinarian for general check-ups in time.

Nutrition

The breed is not at all fastidious about food. The Segugio Italiano expends a lot of energy, and therefore its diet must be balanced. The daily diet should contain as much protein and all necessary vitamins as possible.