Breeds / Medium
Segugio Italiano puppies
Gentle, sociable and tireless on a line, the Segugio Italiano is an ancient Italian scenthound that is easy company at home and single minded in the field.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Italy
- Adult weight 17.7 to 28.1 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 39 to 62 lb
- Adult height 48 to 62 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Coat type Short
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 11 to 13 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
About the Segugio Italiano
The Segugio Italiano is an Italian scenthound of very old type, used for hare and later for wild boar across the hills and scrub of the peninsula, bred to hunt at a steady pace and give tongue on the line. The Segugio is a medium dog of 17.7 to 28.1 kg and 48 to 62 cm, square and light framed for a hound, with long drop ears and a fine, chiselled head. They are gentle and sociable, rated five out of five with both children and other pets.
They want a brisk walk of thirty to forty five minutes plus one to two hours of free roaming a day, or two or three larger outings a week in an active home. Brushing once or twice a week is enough, but the long ears must be cleaned, kept dry and flipped over so air reaches the canals. They are highly trainable for a scenthound, though the nose still wins in open country. An underexercised Segugio is a restless one, so do not take one on as a low maintenance house dog.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Segugio Italiano puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Ear infections, prevented by regular cleaning and drying of the long drop ears
- Hip dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Eye conditions such as entropion, found by an ophthalmologist evaluation
Your Segugio Italiano puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Segugio Italiano.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 17.7 to 28.1 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 28.1 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Segugio Italiano
Previous: Sealyham Terrier · Next: Sheepadoodle
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Segugio Italiano breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/segugio-italiano/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Cyberjobe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.