While images of the ancient miniature greyhound are depicted in Mediterranean artwork that dates back 2,000 years, it was a group of noblemen in Italy that established the Italian greyhound as their nation’s own during the Renaissance period. The breed made its way to England during the 1600s. Italian greyhounds were introduced into the United States during the late 1800s. In 1886, the American Kennel Club recognized the Italian greyhound as a member of the toy group.
The Italian Greyhound is like a miniature version of the standard greyhound but slender and graceful. It has long, strong legs that enable it to run at great speed. It has a short, smooth coat that requires minimal care. This breed is affected by dental diseases though, so regular tooth brushing is required.
Personality
The Italian Greyhound is a loving and affectionate dog. It gets cold easily and likes to snuggle up to its owners. It needs moderate exercise everyday in the form of walks or a short romp. Being a greyhound, it loves to sprint and should therefore roam in a safe area. It has a mind of its own and needs firm leadership. It is good with children but may be a bit too fragile for rough play. It’s friendly with other dogs and timid towards strangers.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Sighthound |
| Function: | Not Available |
| Origin: | Africa |
| Preferred Climate: | Warm |
| Group: | Toy |
| Life Span: | 12-15 Years |
| Nicknames: | Piccolo Levriero Italiano |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Italian Greyhound Build Information
The slender Italian greyhound looks like a downsized version of the greyhound. This toy version’s lithe physique stands at a height of 13 to 15 inches at the shoulders and weighs a mere 7 to 15 pounds. The coat is short, smooth and glossy, and it comes in any colors except brindle and black and tan. The head is narrow and long with a tapered muzzle. The small ears extend backward, and the long tail is thin and tapered. The Italian Greyhound is like a miniature version of the standard greyhound but slender and graceful. It has long, strong legs that enable it to run at great speed. It has a short, smooth coat that requires minimal care. This breed is affected by dental diseases though, so regular tooth brushing is required.
| Size: | Toy |
| Length (Male): | 13-20 in. |
| Length (Female): | 14-16 in. |
| Weight: | < 14 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 4 – 5 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
The Italian greyhound is a sensitive little dog that thrives best with calm and quiet owners. It will get along with children and other household pets as long as they interact in a gentle manner. Italian greyhounds are athletic. They love to run, and they are outstanding competitors in lure coursing, agility and other dog sport activities. The breed is playful and energetic, but also enjoys downtime with its family members. They are affectionate with family members, but they are wary with strangers. The breed is intelligent, but some Italian greyhounds can present a challenge when it comes to training and housebreaking. The Italian Greyhound is a loving and affectionate dog. It gets cold easily and likes to snuggle up to its owners. It needs moderate exercise everyday in the form of walks or a short romp. Being a greyhound, it loves to sprint and should therefore roam in a safe area. It has a mind of its own and needs firm leadership. It is good with children but may be a bit too fragile for rough play. It’s friendly with other dogs and timid towards strangers.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Easy |
| Barking: | Moderate |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Submissive |
| Energy Level: | Moderately Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | No |
| Kid Friendliness: | Moderate Friendly |
Appearance
The coat of an Italian greyhound is easy to maintain with minimal grooming. Occasional use of a grooming mitt will remove the dead hairs and help to maintain the healthy luster of the coat. Toy breeds, including the Italian greyhound, are prone to periodontal disease, which can have adverse effects on oral and internal health. Brushing the teeth on a daily basis will help to prevent periodontal disease by minimizing plaque and tartar buildup.
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Cream, Fawn, Gray, Red, White |
| Shedding: | None |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Fine |
Italian Greyhound Common Health Conditions
Italian greyhounds live average lifespans of 12 to 15 years. Some health problems of note in the Italian greyhound include color mutant alopecia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, von Willebrand’s disease, patellar luxation, congenital deafness, glaucoma, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
Italian Greyhound Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
If the lean and graceful lines of a greyhound strike your fancy, but you prefer a smaller dog, the Italian greyhound will make a perfect addition for your calm and quiet household. The Italian greyhound originated in the Mediterranean region of Europe, and the breed was named in Italy. The Italian greyhound is also known as a piccolo levriero Italiano. The Italian greyhound is an active dog and an affectionate family member. The Italian greyhound stands 13 to 15 inches tall and weighs 7 to 15 pounds. Italian greyhounds have moderate energy levels. Italian greyhounds require minimal grooming. The average lifespan for an Italian greyhound is 12 to 15 years.
| Training: | Moderately easy to train |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | No |
| Retrieving Skills: | No |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | No |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | No |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | No |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | No |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | No |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | No |
