It already appeared in the illustrated magazine “La caccia” on 2 November 1882, as one of Italy’s scent-hound breeds. Fifty years later, lawyer and farmer Filippo Zacchini described a small, highly agile dog, all muscle and nerve without any heaviness. That is how the FCI standard quotes him, and it is hard to sum up the Appennine Hound (Segugio dell’Appennino) more precisely.
| FCI | Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.2 Medium-sized Hounds, Standard No. 375, with working trial, provisionally recognised |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 44 to 50 cm, females 42 to 48 cm; 2 cm above or below allowed in excellent dogs |
| Weight | 10 to 18 kg |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | two coat types: short-haired (no more than 2 cm, dense, resembling horsehair) and rough-haired (2 to 5 cm, with dense undercoat) |
| Colours in the standard | fawn in all shades, black and tan, hare grey, fawn with black overlay; white on legs, chest, neck, forehead, muzzle and tail tip desired |
A hare hunter from the hills
It is made for hare hunting in difficult hilly and mountainous terrain but also hunts wild boar and other furred game. The standard says nature itself, more than deliberate selection, shaped a uniform, robust type preserved by mountain people and small farmers. Its better-known relative is the Italian Short-haired Segugio, larger and with its own standard.
What “provisional” means at the FCI
The FCI provisionally recognised the breed and its standard only on 11.02.2026. Until definitive recognition, it receives no CACIB. Titles such as World or Section Winner remain open, and pedigrees must carry the FCI logo.
Close to people, keen on the trail
The standard says it lives in perfect symbiosis with its owner but has a strong temperament and exaggerated hunting passion. Obedience is said to be innate, and it does not pursue other game. It hunts alone, in pairs or in a pack, maintaining contact without needing accompaniment. Its voice is high and clear, changing through the hunt’s phases.
Gallop as its basic gait
A relaxed, lively gallop interspersed with trotting: that is how it moves at work. Walks alone do not satisfy it. Without hunting, it needs daily scent work, tracking or mantrailing, plus securely fenced land where it can run freely.
Short or rough hair
The two coat types may be paired. The short coat needs little more than a curry brush. Weekly brushing helps the rough coat with undercoat; hair should lie close and never curl. Its long, mobile ears reach roughly the muzzle’s midpoint when drawn forwards; check them after outings through undergrowth.
Health: no data yet
We found no disease or lifespan studies for this breed. McMillan and colleagues’ British analysis (2024) does not list it, and Europe PMC returns no results for the name. At least the standard requires wrinkle-free skin and close-fitting eyelids. Only the breeder can tell you whether the parents have had hip-dysplasia X-rays.
A dog for hunters and hillwalkers
It is happy with people who hunt or spend a great deal of time outdoors, ideally in upland country and with time for scent work. It is less suited to city flats, owners without hunting experience or households with rabbits in the garden. Another Italian scent hound, also only provisionally recognised, appears in the Segugio Maremmano entry.
To check whether an Italian hare hunter fits your daily life, try the breed quiz or explore further with our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the early days with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. If you already have a Segugio, its long-eared head looks striking on a magazine cover on canvas; explore many other options among our dog portraits.
Further reading
- Weimaraner: the beautiful hunting dog that never clocks off
- Puppy training: the 5 rules that really work
- Leaving your dog alone: learning without drama (step by step)
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 375 Segugio dell'Appennino (fci.be, English version dated 03.03.2026, valid standard published 11.02.2026, original language English; no German version published); FCI breed page No. 375 and FCI page on provisionally recognised breeds; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed not included); Europe PMC literature search (no breed results).
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