Segugio Italiano

The breed originated in Italy where the lower class citizens needed a versatile dog that had a special talent for hunting. The breed received the name Segugio, which means to follow in Italian, because of its ability to relentlessly follow and hunt down rabbits. Though a hunting dog, the breed is relatively small, standing 19 to 23 inches tall and weighing 40 to 62 pounds. The Segugio Italiano does well in apartments due to their calm temperament, but a large amount of exercise is needed to keep them happy and nondestructive.