Segugio dell’AppenninoCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the breed has very old origins and appears in several hunting treatises and magazines. The illustrated magazine “La Caccia” of 2 November 1882 described it among the hound breeds then found in Italy. Nature, rather than selection, created a uniform, rustic, hardy and elegant dog here, carefully kept by keen mountain people.

In 1932, the lawyer and farmer Filippo Zacchini described it as a small, very agile and lively hound, “all muscle and nerve”, kept mainly by small landowners. Wikipedia says ENCI wrote a standard in 2005 and fully recognised the breed in 2010, and the FCI accepted it provisionally in 2026.

How the breed developed

• 2 November 1882 – Described in the magazine “La Caccia”.
• 1932 – Filippo Zacchini's description.
• 2005 – The first ENCI standard.
• 2010 – Full recognition in Italy.
• 2026 – Provisional FCI recognition.

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 medium-sized Italian breed whose qualities come from hunting hares in the hills and mountains. It stands out for its speed, ease of movement and rustic elegance.

General appearance

There are two coat varieties, which may be bred together: short-haired (no more than 2 cm), dense, with a horse-like texture, and rough-haired (2–5 cm), with a dense undercoat.

The standard accepts fawn (fulvo) in various shades, black and tan, hare grey and fawn with black. White is appreciated on the legs, chest, neck (also as a collar), forehead, muzzle and tail tip.

The standard says it lives in perfect harmony with its owner, even though it has a strong temperament and an excessive passion for hunting. Obedience is an innate talent, which keeps it close to its owner and to the other hunting dogs. It does not chase animals other than its own game.

It hunts well and cautiously, giving tongue on the quarry. It has a high, clear voice that changes according to the stage of the hunt. Wikipedia says it hunts well alone, in pairs or in a small pack.

Tips for effective training

• Practise the recall. Its passion for hunting is great.
• Work with its nose. Tracking keeps it happy.
• Keep it on a lead. It may go off on a scent.
• Be consistent. It has a strong temperament.

It is a rustic, hardy mountain hound that needs plenty of exercise and work for its nose every day.

Tips for a balanced life

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

Coat and skin care

The short coat should be brushed once a week, the rough coat a little more often. The ears should be checked regularly, especially after hunting.

Common health problems

No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any hound, it is worth watching for:

Other care

• Check for ticks after every outing.
• Check its paws after stony ground.
• 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.

• The smallest Italian hound. It is the smallest of the four Italian hound breeds.
• Made by nature. The standard says nature, not selection, made it uniform.
• Described in 1882. It appears in the magazine “La Caccia” in 1882.
• Very new to the FCI. It was only accepted provisionally in 2026.
• A close relative. A 2015 genetic study found no major differences from the Segugio Maremmano.

What does it hunt?

Mainly hares, but also wild boar and other mammals.

How big does it get?

Males measure 44–50 cm, females 42–48 cm; 10–18 kg.

What kind of coat does it have?

Short or rough; the two varieties may be bred together.

Is it recognised by the FCI?

Yes, provisionally, since 2026.