Apartment fit
Apartment living is rarely practical because this is an active and vocal scenthound.
HoundMedium
Italy
ItalyItalian Short-Haired Hound
Weight
40-62 lb
Height
18.9-22.8 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Italian Short-Haired Hound is an athletic Italian scenthound with a smooth coat, resonant voice, and strong drive to work alone or in a pack.
Italian smooth-coated scenthoundFawn or black-and-tan coat with limited white markingsVery high stamina and resonant voiceEasy coat but demanding exercise needs
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Italian Short-Haired SegugioSegugio Italiano a Pelo RasoSegugio Italiano
HardyEagerScent-DrivenEnduringIndependentVocal
Weight
40-62 lb
Height
18.9-22.8 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Very High
Barking
High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Italian Short-Haired Hound, or Segugio Italiano a Pelo Raso, is the smooth-coated variety of the Segugio Italiano. It is an ancient Italian scenthound type valued for resistance, speed, eagerness, and a resonant voice while hunting.
This breed is hardy and workmanlike rather than highly effusive. It can be affectionate with its people, but its day-to-day happiness depends on exercise, scent work, and secure management around wildlife. It is not a low-effort apartment companion.
The coat is short, dense, close, and smooth. Accepted colors are fawn in various shades and black and tan, with limited white markings allowed; a white star on the chest can make the dog described as tricolor. Health planning should focus on ears, hips, eyes, field injuries, and body condition.
Temperament & Personality
HardyEagerScent-DrivenEnduringIndependentVocal
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a hardy, eager, scent-driven companion, with daily rhythms shaped by very high energy, high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Fawn, Black and Tan, White Markings, Tricolor
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly3/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly1/5
Exercise Needs5/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A breed chosen for specific lifestyle fit
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 5/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- experienced hound owners
- active homes with secure outdoor access
- people interested in tracking or hunting-style work
- owners who prefer an easy short coat
Not ideal for
- apartments with noise-sensitive neighbors
- low-exercise households
- owners expecting off-leash reliability around wildlife
- homes with small pets unless carefully managed
Common challenges
- hound voice
- scent focus
- recall around game
- keeping exercise consistent
Barking & behavior
Expect a resonant hound voice and strong tracking drive. Calm recovery after work should be trained.
Training style
Use rewards, long-line work, and scent games. Secure containment is essential.
Grooming & shedding
The short coat is simple to brush, but ears and feet need checks after field work.
Care Guide
Exercise
This breed needs serious daily exercise and scent work. Tracking, long walks, hunting-style games, and safe running are better outlets than simple backyard time.
Grooming
The short coat is easy to brush weekly. Check long ears, feet, nails, and skin after outdoor work.
Training
Use reward-based training, long-line practice, and secure containment. Scent drive and voice are normal working traits.
Nutrition
Feed a measured active-hound diet and adjust portions for hunting seasons, heavy work, heat, and rest periods.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Very High
Barking level
High
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance4/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Ear infectionsHip dysplasiaEye diseaseField injuriesObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Italian Short-Haired Hound a good apartment dog?
Usually no. It is a vocal active scenthound that needs outdoor work and secure exercise.
Does the Italian Short-Haired Hound bark a lot?
It can be vocal. The Segugio's resonant voice is part of its hunting style.
Is the Italian Short-Haired Hound good for first-time owners?
It is usually better for experienced hound owners because of its scent drive, stamina, and voice.
How much exercise does the Italian Short-Haired Hound need?
Most healthy adults need long daily exercise plus scent work or hunting-style outlets.
Is the Italian Short-Haired Hound good with kids and other dogs?
It can be sociable with people and other dogs when well raised, but supervision and prey-drive management are important.
Does the Italian Short-Haired Hound shed a lot?
The short coat sheds moderately and is easy to brush. Ear and foot care are more important routine tasks.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Italian Short-Haired Hound?
The biggest challenge is meeting a working scenthound's stamina, scent drive, and vocal behavior in a normal home.
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