Italian Hound (Wire-haired)
One of Italy's oldest scenthounds — a rough-coated hare-tracker with a bell-clear voice and a gentle streak at home.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium · 48–59 cm |
| Weight | 18–28 kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–14 years |
| Energy | Very high — 90+ min/day, running and tracking |
| Shedding | Low — the wire coat sheds little |
| Coat | Harsh, rough, wire-textured (~5 cm) · solid fawn or black-and-tan |
| Group | Hound · Scenthound (FCI №198) |
| Origin | Italy |
| FCI group | 6 — Scent hounds and related breeds · FCI 198 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Italian Hound (Wire-haired) by the numbers
The Italian Hound (Wire-haired) facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Plan for steady ongoing costs — mid-range food, routine vet care and insurance.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
On a trail the Segugio is single-minded: a powerful nose, deep stamina and a clear voice that carries across a valley when it strikes a line. The same dog at home is docile, sensitive and affectionate, closely bonded to its people and quick to sulk if handled roughly. It was built for the hunt first, so the drive to follow a scent outweighs most training — near wildlife it is rarely safe off the lead.
Habits & quirks
On the trail
Every outing turns into a tracking job — head low, working a scent line only it can smell.
The trail voice
Strike a fresh scent and it opens up in a deep, carrying bay meant to be heard from far off.
Built for the long haul
It was bred to hunt hare over hills all day, so an hour's walk barely takes the first edge off.
Soft off the clock
Back home the drive switches off and it turns into a quiet, leaning, affectionate housemate.
Care
| Exercise | Plan on 90 minutes or more a day of real movement — running, tracking and long walks, not a turn around the block. |
| Secure fencing | A fresh scent overrides recall, so it needs a well-fenced garden and a long line in open country. |
| Coat | The harsh, wire coat is low-upkeep: a weekly brush plus an occasional hand-strip to tidy the beard and eyebrows keeps it neat, and it rarely needs bathing. |
| Company | It's sensitive and bonds hard; left alone and under-exercised for long stretches it frets and bays. |
Life expectancy
This breed has a typical life expectancy of 11–14 years.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Can a Segugio Italiano be let off the lead?
Rarely near wildlife. The tracking drive is strong enough to override training the moment it catches a scent, so most owners use a securely fenced space or a long line and only trust off-lead recall in genuinely empty areas.
Are they good family dogs?
At home they're gentle, docile and affectionate, and generally good with children and other dogs. The catch is exercise — this is a working scenthound that needs a lot of daily activity to be calm indoors.
How much grooming does the wire-haired Segugio need?
Not much. The harsh, wire coat needs a weekly brush and an occasional hand-strip or tidy of the beard and eyebrows, plus the usual nails, ears and teeth. The short-haired 'a pelo raso' is even lower-maintenance, but neither coat asks for as much as the dog's exercise does.
Does the Italian Hound (Wire-haired) shed a lot?
Not much. The Italian Hound (Wire-haired) is a low-shedding breed, so loose hair around the home stays minimal. It still needs regular grooming, but you won't be fighting drifts of fur.
Is the Italian Hound (Wire-haired) hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but the Italian Hound (Wire-haired) comes closer than most: its low-shedding coat releases less of the dander that triggers allergies. Many allergy sufferers manage well with this breed, but spend time around one before committing.
Is the Italian Hound (Wire-haired) easy to train?
Reasonably. The Italian Hound (Wire-haired) is trainable with consistency and rewards, though it isn't the quickest study. Keep sessions short and positive, and be patient with the basics like recall.