Whether you desire one of the most popular dogs in Italy for a household companion or you happen to be a hunting enthusiast in need of a capable dog to join you on your expeditions, the Italian segugio offers the best of both worlds. The Italian segugio that is trained and socialized at an early age and provided with plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation makes a calm and affectionate family member and a wonderful companion from the jogging track to the hunting trails. As the name implies, the Italian segugio originated in ancient Italy. Images of the breed are exhibited in ancient works of art that date back to the Renaissance era, and its ancestry is believed include scent hounds from ancient Egypt. The Italian segugio was developed as a hunting dog with keen sight and the ability to track scents with the same determination as a bloodhound. The powerful dogs were originally bred for hunting wild boars, and they are predominantly used today for hunting hares. The hunting dog tracks the target prey, and he follows through with the kill. Although the breed remains a popular canine companion choice in Italy, it is a rare find away from its native homeland.
The Italian segugio is medium-sized dog with a square frame. He stands 19 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs 40 to 62 pounds. He has long legs, a long tail that is carried downward when relaxed, and long, flat ears that also hang downward. His coat may be smooth and sleek or coarse and wiry. His coat colors include fawn, red, wheaten or black and tan.
Personality
The Italian segugio has a docile nature. He gets along well with children, and since the breed was developed to hunt alone or in packs, he also gets along with other dogs. He thrives on the companionship of his family members. He is highly intelligent and easy to train. Early obedience training, socialization and lifelong regular mental and physical stimulation are essential. The hunting instincts of the breed are very strong. Once the Italian segugio picks up a scent, he is determined to track it, so a secure fence is imperative and off-leash activity outside of his fenced property should not be encouraged. He requires daily exercise, and he enjoys jogging alongside his owner, swimming in the backyard pool and playing fetch. The Italian segugio is alert, and he does not hesitate to issue his distinctive-sounding bark, two qualities that make him an excellent watchdog.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 14 years |
| Nicknames: | Segugio Italiano, Italian Segugio, Segugio, Italian Hound |
Italian Segugio Build Information
The Italian segugio is medium-sized dog with a square frame. He stands 19 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs 40 to 62 pounds. He has long legs, a long tail that is carried downward when relaxed, and long, flat ears that also hang downward. His coat may be smooth and sleek or coarse and wiry. His coat colors include fawn, red, wheaten or black and tan.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
The Italian segugio has a docile nature. He gets along well with children, and since the breed was developed to hunt alone or in packs, he also gets along with other dogs. He thrives on the companionship of his family members. He is highly intelligent and easy to train. Early obedience training, socialization and lifelong regular mental and physical stimulation are essential. The hunting instincts of the breed are very strong. Once the Italian segugio picks up a scent, he is determined to track it, so a secure fence is imperative and off-leash activity outside of his fenced property should not be encouraged. He requires daily exercise, and he enjoys jogging alongside his owner, swimming in the backyard pool and playing fetch. The Italian segugio is alert, and he does not hesitate to issue his distinctive-sounding bark, two qualities that make him an excellent watchdog.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
The Italian segugio's coat requires minimal grooming. A weekly brushing will remove dead hairs to minimize shedding and restore a healthy luster to his coat. Inspect his ears each week and keep them clean to prevent infection, and brush his teeth several times a week to maintain his dental and overall health.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Italian Segugio Common Health Conditions
The Italian segugio is a robust dog with no known genetic health conditions and an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years. One potential health emergency to be aware of in this deep-chested, active dog is gastric dilatation volvulus, or bloat.
Italian Segugio Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
"The Italian segugio originated in Italy. The Italian segugio is also referred to as a segugio Italiano, a segugio or Italian hound. The Italian segugio is intelligent and noble. He is an affectionate family member. His keen sense of smell and abilities in the field make him an outstanding hunting companion. The Italian segugio stands 19 to 23 inches tall and weighs 40 to 62 pounds. The Italian segugio has a moderate energy level.
| Training: | Easy |