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.'

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.

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.

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.

National Breed Club

In the United Kingdom, the Italian Greyhound is promoted by The Italian Greyhound Society. .

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.