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Italian Greyhound: Personality, Exercise, Health
Detailed Facts & Information
Group: Toy
Also known as: Piccolo
Levrieve Italiani
About
Italian Greyhound
Country of Origin,
History of the Breed
The smallest member of the
family of gazehounds (hounds that hunt by
sight), the Italian Greyhound probably originated
over 2,000 years ago in what is today either
Greece or Turkey. By the Middle Ages, Italian
Greyhounds could be found all through southern
Europe. The Italian Greyhound was a popular
breed among Egyptian, Greek, and Roman aristocrats.
When miniature dogs become popular in sixteenth
century Italy, this dog was in great demand.
Thus, it became known as the 'Italian Greyhound.'
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This breed was so popular during
the Middle Ages, it was depicted in Renaissance
art.
Although the first recorded showing
of an Italian Greyhound in the United States occurred
in 1886, they were not officially recognized by
the AKC until 1954.
A General Appearance of the Dog
The Italian Greyhound appears to
be an elegant, miniature Greyhound. This fine-boned
cousin has an arched back, a long neck and long,
thin legs and tail which ends in a slight upward
arch. Its narrow ears lie back along its head, but
often stand up in a very alert posture. He has a
high-stepping, elegant gait that gives the impression
of being aristocratic.
Italian Greyhounds bark only when
necessary. When they do bark, their voices are deeper
than one would expect for such a fragile-looking
dog.
The Italian Greyhound is a lean,
active dog that has high spirits and wants to please
its guardian.
The Italian Greyhound are clean dogs that tend to
be free of odor.
Coat
This breed appears in blue, cream,
faun, red, solid black, or white colours. The Italian
Greyhound has a short, smooth, glossy coat.
Height: Between 13 and 15 inches.
Weight: Between 8 and 14 pounds.
Personality
The Italian Greyhound is a quiet
breed; it should not live in a home where there
is a lot of noise. This breed tends to be naturally
happy, physically active, and eager to please its
guardian. The Italian Greyhound enjoys giving and
receiving attention. Also, it behaves well with
other pets in the home.
Temperament of the Dog
The Italian Greyhound has an independent
temperament and might ignore its guardian or other
people when it is occupied in an activity or with
play toys. This breed can become emotional and will
exhibit separation anxiety when left alone. In addition,
if there are loud, angry, or argumentative people
nearby, the Italian Greyhound will be sensitive
to their behavior. The Italian Greyhound will experience
stress in a contentious environment. This breed
is likely to become physically ill with digestion
problems and neurotic behavior. The Italian Greyhound
tends to be a peace loving animal that needs a peaceful,
pleasant home.
Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?
The Italian Greyhound easily adapts
to an indoor environment. This breed can become
cold very easily and needs to live in a home that
is free of drafts and cold temperatures. The Italian
Greyhound will sleep well in a warm bed located
in a temperate home. This breed responds well to
daily exercise and consistent attention; the Italian
Greyhound is known to have a great deal of energy
outdoors. It needs protection from cold when outdoors.
Are they suited to homes with kids?
The Italian Greyhound dislikes
noise or contentious behavior. As a result, placing
this breed in a home with children is not recommended.
However, this breed will appreciate adolescents
or young adults who aren’t boisterous or abusive.
The Italian Greyhound should not be pushed, pulled,
or grabbed without warning.
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How to take care of
the Italian Greyhound Puppy?
The Italian Greyhound puppy
is independent and can be stubborn or manipulative.
It will suddenly run away from people or ignore
them when called if a sight, sound, or scent
catches its attention. If the puppy spends
excessive time alone, it will experience separation
anxiety, and will get bored and possibly destructive.
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This breed of dog requires consistent,
attentive companionship and does not respond well
to being left alone for more than three or four
hours. If the Italian Greyhound has not been socialized
when young, it will exhibit shyness or fearfulness.
Training
A Greyhound puppy should be trained
on a leash and given verbal praise, correction,
and food rewards. This breed becomes upset with
physical discipline. The Italian Greyhound puppy
should be exposed to various sights and sounds,
and all training needs to be consistent and administered
by a patient guardian. This breed is difficult to
housebreak and requires consistent crate training
and a doggy door for outside access. The Italian
Greyhound puppy may resist going out into cold weather
or rain; as a result, a guardian needs to use consistent
phrases, rewards, and verbal praise when training
the dog to go outside.
Activity Level
The Italian Greyhound enjoys vigorous
activity, such as running or jumping around a yard
or careening around a home, jumping on and off furniture.
These dogs have a high activity level indoors and
a very high activity level outdoors. The dog responds
well to regular walks, but they need to expend energy
through short bursts of running and jumping. This
breed enjoys physical comfort and likes to rest
on furniture, under blankets, or on soft pillows.
Grooming
The Italian Greyhound is an easy
breed to groom, does not shed much, and tends to
be odorless. These dogs only require bathing when
necessary, and they enjoy a message or rub down
with soft cloths. They need to be dried thoroughly
after any exposure to water and kept warm after
a bath.
Health
& Care
The Italian Greyhound cannot tolerate
cold weather. However, if he can be in the house
most of the time in cold climates and wear a sweater
or warm coat when outside, he will do okay. He will
love lying in the sunshine or sleeping under the
covers next to you or wrapped in a soft blanket.
Some Italian Greyhounds like to wear a soft sweater
most of the time.
Many Italian Greyhounds do not
think they can potty outside if it is the least
bit damp, so will need encouragement by food to
go outside in rain or snow. Boots and a coat may
or may not help.
This breed is prone to having
broken legs, slipped kneecaps, and developing hereditary
eye problems.
Cautions about Breeding the Dog
This breed should be purchased
from ethical, reputable breeders only. Ask a breeder
for references or research the breeder via the Internet.
Do not purchase any animal from a breeder without
knowing its reputation.
Litter Size: 3 to 5 pups.
Life Span: 14 and 16 years.
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National Breed Club
In the United Kingdom, the Italian
Greyhound is promoted by The Italian Greyhound Society.
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In the United States, this breed
is represented by The Italian Greyhound Club of
America.
Recognition
The Italian Greyhound was recognized
by the American Kennel Club and The Kennel Club
in the United Kingdom in 1886.
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