[6][7][8] Two closely similar skeletons of dogs of greyhound or scent hound type from a seventh-century Lombard necropolis at Povegliano in the province of Verona were described in 1995; they show some morphological similarity to the modern Segugio, except that they are taller, with a height at the withers estimated at 64 cm.

[7][8] Dogs similar to the modern Segugio, both smooth-haired and rough-haired, were shown in Milan in 1886, but there was at this time no clear distinction of breed.

[10]: 378  In 1920 a breed club, the Società Italiana Amatori del Segugio e del Cane da Tana, was formed in Lodi, and a breed standard was drawn up; it was dissolved in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, after restrictive legislation was passed by the Fascist government.

[10]: 378 A new breed society was formed in 1947, with the name Società Italiana Pro Segugio; in that year, the total number registered in the two national stud-books (LOI and LIR) was 69.

[7][8] Two coat colours are recognised: any shade of fawn-coloured, varying from deep fox-red to very pale; and black-and-tan.

[7][8][15] It has long legs, tucked-up loins and a roached (slightly convex) back more typical of a sight hound.

[7][8][16] In addition to its traditional role as a scent hound, the Segugio Italiano has increasingly been kept as a companion dog.