Appennine Hound
seh-GOO-joh del-lah-pen-NEE-no
Italy· The Apennine mountains, Italy
The Appennine Hound — the Segugio dell'Appennino — is an Italian scenthound bred for hunting hare in the rugged Apennine mountains, provisionally recognised by the FCI in February 2026. Documentation is still limited and the standard is still settling, so details on this page may change.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium
Exercise needs
High
Home size suited to
Rural home
Grooming frequency
Weekly brushing
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Moderate
Lifespan
Not yet documented
Town or country
Country
Garden size needed
Secure garden
Where it comes from
Origins of the Appennine Hound
A hare-hunting scenthound of the Italian Apennines, provisionally recognised by the FCI in 2026.
- Region
- The Apennine mountains, Italy
- Climate it was bred for
- Mediterranean mountain
- Original job
- Hunting hare in mountain country
The long read
About the breed
The breed belongs to Italy's rich family of segugi — the native scenthounds hunted in packs and singly since antiquity — and is distinguished by its mountain-bred hardiness and endurance. Its precise relationship to the Segugio Italiano is still being formalised by the Italian registry; we will update this page as definitive material becomes available.
Registry note: the FCI accepted the Appennine Hound on a provisional basis, which means the standard is still settling and details may change before definitive recognition. We will keep this page updated as more is published.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Energy
4/5
Settles well once exercised.
Barking
5/5
Very vocal — expect plenty of noise.
Grooming
1/5
Wash-and-go coat.
Sociability
4/5
Friendly and outgoing.
Independence
3/5
Balanced — works with you, thinks a little too.
Trainability
3/5
Capable, with consistent fair handling.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Head
Lean, with the typical segugio outline.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Fawn
Standard colour
Reported regional colouring; accepted colours are still being formalised.
Black & Tan
Standard colour
Reported regional colouring; accepted colours are still being formalised.
Timeline
History & development
Traditional
Mountain segugi
Scenthounds of the Apennine type have hunted hare across the Italian spine for generations.
2026
Provisional FCI recognition
The FCI accepted the Appennine Hound on a provisional basis in February 2026.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Tough and enduring, built for steep ground.
- coat
- Short and dense; rougher-coated dogs are also reported in the regional population.
- ears
- Long, pendulous, set at eye level.
- eyes
- Dark, gentle and expressive.
- gait
- Free, enduring and sure-footed.
- head
- Lean, with the typical segugio outline.
- size
- Medium; precise figures are still being formalised by the registry.
- tail
- Carried in a scenthound curve in action.
- colour
- Reported in the fawn, black-and-tan and hare-pied patterns typical of Italian segugi; accepted colours are still being formalised.
- muzzle
- Long and strong, with a large nose.
- temperament
- Keen, tireless and vocal at work; gentle and manageable at home.
- general appearance
- A medium-sized, hardy scenthound of rustic but clean lines; full published details are still limited while recognition is provisional.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Data
Watch closely
Provisionally recognised; no published health surveys yet.
Ears
Watch closely
Pendulous ears need routine checks.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Appennine Hounds added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Appennine Hound
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Appennine Hound illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Appennine Hound Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Appennine Hound illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Appennine Hound Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Appennine Hound illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Appennine Hound Mug
Ceramic mug with the Appennine Hound illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Slicker & Deshedding Brush
Self-cleaning slicker head for coats of every length.
Fits any dog
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