Italian Rough-haired SegugioCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the origin of the breed is lost in time. Dogs of the same type appear beside the statues of Diana the huntress in the Naples Museum and the Vatican Museums. Two skeletons similar to today's Segugio were found in a Lombard necropolis in the province of Verona, and a painting in the castle of Borso d’Este shows it very clearly.

Wikipedia says these dogs were widely used in the great hunts of the Italian Renaissance. In 1886, in Milan, dogs with short and rough coats were shown, with no clear separation between breeds. The club founded in 1920 in Lodi was dissolved in 1939, and after the war the breed was close to disappearing; a new club was founded in 1947, and the standard was revised by the cynologist Giuseppe Solaro. The FCI fully accepted the rough-haired variety in 1956.

How the breed developed

• Antiquity – Similar dogs beside the statues of Diana.
• The Renaissance – It is used in the great hunts.
• 1886 – It is shown in Milan.
• 1920 – The first club, in Lodi.
• 1947 – The Società Italiana Pro Segugio club.
• 9 March 1956 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as a dog of medium proportions, with a body that fits into a square, well balanced, lean and muscular, with no trace of fat, able to follow game “from dawn to dusk”. It copes with the hardest ground, in the mountains and on the plains.

General appearance

On the body the hair is no longer than 5 cm and clearly harsh; on the head, ears, legs and tail it is less harsh. Under the lips it forms a beard, and the hair above the eyes is short, so as not to cover them.

The standard accepts the whole range of solid fawn, from dark red mixed with black to light fawn, and black and tan. White on the muzzle, head, chest, neck and legs is allowed, but the less there is, the better. Black and tan with a white star on the chest is called tricolour.

The standard says it is very hardy and fast and works with ardour and passion, alone or in a pack. Compared with the short-haired variety, it is more reserved, less exuberant, wise, calm and balanced at work.

It has a friendly, gentle, proud expression with a hint of melancholy, and a resonant, very harmonious voice. Like any hound, it needs a lot of patience with the recall.

Tips for effective training

• Practise the recall. On a scent, it forgets about you.
• Keep it on a lead. Its hunting instinct is strong.
• Be calm and patient. It is a balanced dog.
• Think of the neighbours. It barks on a scent.

It is a hound made to follow game all day, so it needs a lot of exercise every day and activities for its nose.

Tips for a balanced life

• It is best suited to hunters.
• Check the ears often.
• The fence must be solid.

Coat and skin care

The harsh coat is brushed once a week. Clean the beard after meals and check the ears regularly.

Common health problems

There are no published health studies for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any active hound, worth watching for:

Other care

• Check for ticks after every outing.
• Check the paws.
• Clean the ears regularly.

An active hound needs good-quality food, adapted to its level of effort.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Split the food into two meals a day.
• Do not let it run right after a meal.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Beside the goddess Diana. Similar dogs appear beside ancient statues of Diana.
• Lombard skeletons. They were found in a necropolis in the province of Verona.
• Two coat varieties. The short-haired variety is almost genetically identical.
• Saved after the war. In 1947 only 69 dogs were still registered.
• A harmonious voice. The standard praises its resonant voice.

The statues of Diana the huntress

The FCI standard says a dog of the same type appears beside the statues of the goddess Diana in the Naples Museum and the Vatican Museums.

How does it differ from the short-haired Segugio?

Its harsh coat and a calmer, more reserved temperament.

How big does it get?

Males measure 52–60 cm and weigh 20–28 kg.

What does it hunt?

Mainly hare and wild boar.

What colours does it come in?

Solid fawn or black and tan.