Segugio Italiano
 Shorthaired Italian Hound | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Italian Hound | |||||||||||||||||
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| Common nicknames | Segugio | |||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Italy | |||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||||||||||||
The Segugio Italiano [seˈɡudʒo itaˈljano] is an Italian breed of dog of the scenthound family. It comes in both shorthaired and wirehaired varieties. It is thought to be an ancient breed, descended in pre-Roman eras from progenitor scenthounds in ancient Egypt. In 2009 ENCI (the Italian Kennel Club) registered 4,500 specimens of the shorthaired variety and 1,740 wirehaired specimens,[1] making this one of the top ten breeds in Italy.
Appearance[edit]
The Segugio is a square shaped dog, whose length should be equal to its height at the withers. It is fawn-coloured or black and tan. The dogs are 45–52 cm tall at the withers and roughly 20–23 kg in weight.
Shorthaired
Wirehaired
Wirehaired, fawn
Wirehaired, black & tan
Utilization[edit]
The breed's determination to track a scent is similar to that of a Bloodhound but, unlike the Bloodhound, the Segugio is also interested in the capture and killing of its prey. Its popularity in Italy is due to its outstanding performance as a hunter of game. Although Italians also use other hound breeds, such as Ariegeois, Petit Gascon-Saintongeois, Porcelaine, Posavac Hound, Istrian Coarse-haired Hound and Istrian Shorthaired Hound, the Segugio Italiano has remained the choice of most Italian hunters due to its exceptional abilities. Hunters who hunt hare alone or in small groups find this dog to be ideal. The Segugio Italiano can also hunt larger game, such as wild boar (although it is not considered a specialist for this quarry), wild sheep, wild goats or ungulates of the deer family. The Segugio Italiano works either alone or in packs, depending on the quarry. This dog is first and foremost a working dog, although breed rescues do now exist to rescue and rehome abandoned hunting Segugi and to promote the breed as a pet.
References[edit]
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-04-20.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
External links[edit]
- Shorthaired Wirehaired at the Italian Federation (ENCI).
- Segugio Italiano Video
- Segugio Italiano video 2
- Segugio Italiano video 3
- Segugio Italiano Hunts Wild Boar in Piedmont
- SOS Segugi breed rescue
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