Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte
seh-GOO-jee-oh ee-tal-YAH-noh ah PAY-loh FOR-teh
Italy· Central and southern Italy
The Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte is the wire-coated variety of Italy's ancient trailing hound, bred for stamina and scenting ability over rough, hilly terrain.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Large
Exercise needs
2 hours+ per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush, occasional hand-stripping
Coat length
Medium, wiry
Sheds
Low to moderate
Lifespan
12-14 years
Town or country
Country preferred
Garden size needed
Large, securely fenced
Where it comes from
Origins of the Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte
The wire-haired variety of the ancient Italian Segugio, this hound was bred in the hillier, rockier parts of central and southern Italy, where a harsher coat offered better protection against thorny scrub and cold weather than its smooth-coated relative during long days trailing hare and boar.
- Region
- Central and southern Italy
- Climate it was bred for
- Warm Mediterranean, rugged hill and mountain terrain
- Original job
- Trailing hare and wild boar by scent over rough Italian terrain
The long read
About the breed
Its long history as a hunting hound for hare and wild boar produced a rugged, weatherproof dog with great endurance, a deep, resonant voice used to signal the trail, and a single-minded determination once on scent.
As a companion the breed is gentle and even-tempered with family, but retains strong hunting instincts and needs substantial daily exercise; it is not a breed suited to being left indoors all day.
The breed remains closely tied to hunting in Italy, where it is still actively used, and is only slowly gaining recognition as a companion breed outside its homeland.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
Ancient
Mediterranean scenthound ancestry
Segugio-type hounds descend from ancient hounds used across the Italian peninsula since Roman times.
1800s
Wire-coated type distinguished
The harsher-coated variety was recognised as better suited to rough, hilly hunting grounds than the smooth type.
1948
Breed club founded
The Italian Segugio breed club was formed, covering both coat varieties.
1956
FCI recognition
The breed, including the pelo forte variety, was formally recognised by the FCI.
1990s
Continued working role
The breed remained in active use among Italian hunters, with numbers sustained mainly within Italy.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Rectangular and muscular with a deep chest and strong loin.
- coat
- Harsh, dense and wiry, close-fitting to the body.
- ears
- Long, set low, hanging flat against the cheeks.
- eyes
- Dark, large and expressive, with a gentle, melancholic look typical of scenthounds.
- head
- Long and lean with a slightly domed skull and pronounced occiput.
- size
- Dogs 52-58cm, bitches 48-56cm
- colour
- Black and tan, or solid fawn to red, with or without a black mask.
- temperament
- Gentle and even-tempered at home, tenacious and independent when trailing.
- general appearance
- A medium-large, rustic hound of noble bearing with a harsh, wiry coat and long ears.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Segugio Italiano a Pelo Fortes added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
Loading the wall…
Made for the Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte 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
Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte Mug
Ceramic mug with the Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Adjustable Harness (S/M/L)
Fully adjustable chest and girth straps — no fixed sizing.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
Watch now