It is impossible to underestimate the fundamental function of your hound during the hunt, especially if engaged in a wild boar hunt. Among the best Italian breeds certainly the Italian short-haired or strong-haired hound.
Although Italian hunters have often searched abroad for answers to their needs, the peninsula has always proved capable of offering excellent solutions only recently re-evaluated.
This is the case of the Italian hound, a canine specimen that seems born for hunting. Although it proves to be an excellent companion dog, faithful and respectful, it is precisely during the performance of the hunting activity that the hound proves to be infallible, vital, strong, inevitable.
Although until yesterday there was talk of a tide of different subgroups, all related to the Italian hound, as if every region had its own Italian hound, today we mainly speak of Italian short-haired hounds and Italian strong-haired hounds. Not that you no longer hear of Lomellini di Pianura, Cravin in Piedmont, Montagnino in the Alps or Segugio dell'Appenino and Italian Lepraiolo, yet often these breeds are all traced back to a single line.
On the other hand, whether the Italian hound has short hair or strong hair, in general we can say that the breed has more points in common than points of disagreement. The physical similarity, for example, is remarkable: both strains demonstrate a muscular and strong build, free of fat and dry, hanging ears, particularly large and bright eyes.
To make them excellent hunting dogs, specialized in following the hare and above all the wild boar (although they are excellent hunting dogs of different fur prey), we think the superfine sense of smell they are endowed with, resistance and speed.
Not without reason they are defined as tireless and independent dogs, and although they have a lively and expansive character, the breed proves to be obedient and above all respectful of the hierarchies, a quality not just during the performance of the hunting activity. In general, however, it is believed that the strong-haired breed is slightly more thoughtful and calm than the short-haired breed, and this character attitude could prove to be fundamental in the hunting phase.
The origins of the Italian hound are also controversial and probably older than one might imagine. According to some, they are to be found in the ancient cross between Egyptian racing hounds and Roman molossers. Unfortunately, there is no confirmation of this theory and we are therefore forced to look for traces of the birth of the breed in more recent times. It was during the Renaissance that the first news and testimonies of the breed began to emerge, bred in many corners of Italy. Only after numerous changes, crossings and bloodshed did the breed that we know today, capable of an excellent sense of smell that allows it to follow any trace without being deceived, came out. Furthermore, the dog is well suited to long chases and does not let itself be frightened even by rough and tiring terrain given its particularly robust build.
Short-haired hounds
The shorthaired hound is easily recognizable due to its outgoing and lively temperament. In any case, this does not prevent him from being an obedient and affectionate hunting dog. Among the most important characters certainly to remember the aptitude for running and endurance. It loves long walks in the company of its owner, especially if followed by furred game.
The eyebrows are not very developed, the muzzle is characterized by a convex profile and the nose, exceptionally capable of tracing the passage of game, has an accentuated parallelepipdean shape.
In addition to being more dynamic than the strong-haired hound, the short-haired hound also has smaller dimensions. For the rest, the character and physical similarity is surprising.
Strong Haired Hound
As mentioned, one of the few characters that distinguishes the strong-haired hound from the short-haired one is certainly the slightly larger size (about two centimeters for both males and females).
The hair is also long and coarse, decidedly finer and shorter on the head and tail. The typical colors of its down are fawn and black and tan. In some cases it may present some white spots on the muzzle, chest, skull, limbs, well localized and defined.