Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte
COUNTRY: Italy
WEIGHT: 40-62 pounds
HEIGHT: 201/2-23 inches
COAT: Hard, wiry and dense; lying close to the body, without bushy brows and very little beard; hair never to exceed 2 inches
COLOR: Black/tan or fawn (from deep red to very pale wheaten); any white is to be discouraged
OTHER NAMES: Roughhaired Italian Hound
REGISTRY: FCI
GROUP: Hound
Segugio Italiano a Pelo Raso
COUNTRY: Italy
WEIGHT: 40-62 pounds
HEIGHT: 20!/z-23 inches
COAT: Very short, thick and shiny
COLOR: Black/tan or fawn (from deep red to very pale wheaten); any white is to be discouraged
OTHER NAMES: Shorthaired Italian Hound
REGISTRY: FCI
GROUP: Hound
The Itahan hound is a distinct type, as an intermediate between sighthound and scenthounds. He probably originated from crossing early Celtic hounds in southern Gaul with sighthounds of the Phoenicians. Two ancient statues, Diana The Huntress in the Naples Museum and Diana With Bow and Arrow at the Vatican Museum, display dogs of the classic Segugio type.
The Segugio's appearance and abilities were improved and fixed during the Renaissance, when the breed was in demand by all classes of society for hunting. At the Segugio's apex, the pomp and circumstance of the Italian nobility's hunts included participants with finely appointed horses, as well as trumpeters and beaters in full livery, with hundreds of these hounds.
As the grand hunts ended, the breed fell into a period of neglect for several hundred years, with much crossbreeding done by those "just wanting a good rabbit dog." Fortunately, the 20th century brought a renewed interest in fostering this unique Italian breed. The Segugio is now one of the most numerous dogs hi Italy and, under the guidance of the Societa Italiana Pro Segugio, quality continues to improve.
The Segugio is a large but refined dog of moderately light bone and a racy body with "no fat." The muzzle is long, tapering and slightly convex with very little stop and no excessive skin. The unique and characteristic ear is very long, narrow, low-set and folded toward the tip. No surplus skin appears anywhere on the body. The tail is carried like a saber, high in a sickle curve.
Fanciers in Italy are divided equally among those preferring the wire coat and those with smooth-haired stock. The smooth coat is described as being "like glass."
Temperaments are mild but vivacious. These are sociable dogs, as are most hounds, and they are ardent in the hunt. Today the Segugio hunts rabbit, hare and wild boar, and expertly handles these chores in both flat, open country and in mountainous areas with heavy cover. Especially noted for their endurance and "steel legs," these dogs often hunt a full 12-hour day without a rest, willing and able to repeat the performance the next day—and the day after that! A pleasing harmonious bark rounds out the hunting attributes. Although a streak of stubbornness may surface, this can be eliminated by initiating training as a young pup.
The Segugio's appearance and abilities were improved and fixed during the Renaissance, when the breed was in demand by all classes of society for hunting. At the Segugio's apex, the pomp and circumstance of the Italian nobility's hunts included participants with finely appointed horses, as well as trumpeters and beaters in full livery, with hundreds of these hounds.
As the grand hunts ended, the breed fell into a period of neglect for several hundred years, with much crossbreeding done by those "just wanting a good rabbit dog." Fortunately, the 20th century brought a renewed interest in fostering this unique Italian breed. The Segugio is now one of the most numerous dogs hi Italy and, under the guidance of the Societa Italiana Pro Segugio, quality continues to improve.
The Segugio is a large but refined dog of moderately light bone and a racy body with "no fat." The muzzle is long, tapering and slightly convex with very little stop and no excessive skin. The unique and characteristic ear is very long, narrow, low-set and folded toward the tip. No surplus skin appears anywhere on the body. The tail is carried like a saber, high in a sickle curve.
Fanciers in Italy are divided equally among those preferring the wire coat and those with smooth-haired stock. The smooth coat is described as being "like glass."
Temperaments are mild but vivacious. These are sociable dogs, as are most hounds, and they are ardent in the hunt. Today the Segugio hunts rabbit, hare and wild boar, and expertly handles these chores in both flat, open country and in mountainous areas with heavy cover. Especially noted for their endurance and "steel legs," these dogs often hunt a full 12-hour day without a rest, willing and able to repeat the performance the next day—and the day after that! A pleasing harmonious bark rounds out the hunting attributes. Although a streak of stubbornness may surface, this can be eliminated by initiating training as a young pup.
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