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Italian Greyhound -
Purebred Dogs and Puppies

Italian Greyhound

A member of the AKC Toy group, The Italian Greyhound is a very ancient and hardy breed even though they give the impression of extreme fragility. The IT is the perfect mini-sized Greyhound and also the smallest of all the sight hound dog breeds.



Did you know that the IT is believed to be an ancient breed that appeared in Greek and Turkish works of art that are 2000 years old? He has existed in his current form for several centuries and takes his name from his great popularity during the 16th century in Italy.

Best home for this dog breed is in a quiet household where there are no loud children. This elegant, sensitive little dog breed makes an ideal house pet. This dog breed's low maintenance coat only requires periodic brushing but his teeth do need to be brushed regularly.

They can get snappy when frightened and they can be difficult to house train. They also like to be up on high spots in your house like the back of chairs or your sofa so be careful - they can be quite the daredevil.

They are cold sensitive so a sweater is a must in colder climates and they do well in apartments with sufficient exercise. Additionally, they do not enjoy the wind and rain and enjoys a coat on rainy days.

See a few of these guys in action



They are the smallest members of the family of sight hounds (dogs that hunt primarily by sight). It is interesting to note that they are very cat-like in some ways - one being that they enjoy sunbathing. Be very careful that they do not get sunburned or overheated however.

They can adapt to most most households and enjoy the company of children and other pets when socialized early on. Socialization is absolutely vital for this dog breed and should start early to boost his confidence. Overall, these are not aggressive dogs in nature, however he may bite if scared or teased.

This can be an easy breed to train overall. Any sort of training however should start early on and you must be patient and precise. You should never be too rough on this sensitive little dog or he can get hurt by your harsh mannerisms making training and all other forms of socialization difficult.

Historically speaking, Queen Victoria loved these little dogs and did a lot to popularize them, along with several other toy dog breeds, during her reign.

The Italian Greyhound stands at about 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder and typically weighs between 8 to 12 pounds. This is a beautiful, muscular little dog breed with a slender body, fine bone structure with a slightly curved back.

Their coat requires very little grooming. This dog is virtually odorless and sheds very little and had a wonderful high stepping gait.

He is a high strung, friendly little toy dog breed with loads of nervous energy. If you do not like constant company, even while in the bathroom, an IG may not be the perfect breed for you. They will follow you everywhere and will want to be your constant companion.

A small house or an apartment is fine for this little dog breed as long as he gets out to exercise and run everyday. He is a busy little dog with a high energy level and should not be deprived of lots of regular exercise outdoors.

One thing to keep in mind, housebreaking can be difficult with the Italian Greyhound.

Country of origin: Introduced to Europe by Phoenicians
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Colors: Solid gray, slate gray, cream, red, fawn, black or blue broken up with shades of white
Known health problems: Fractures, slipped stifle, epilepsy, PRA

Additionally, Did You Know This:

• They are the smallest of the sight hounds.

• IGs are good with kids but their thin bones are fragile and can be hurt by rough play from young children.

• Like many smaller breeds, the Italian Greyhound can be difficult to housebreak.

• IGs have in fact been used for hunting purposes, often used in combination with hunting falcons.

• IG's usually grow until they are between six and eight months of age. Typically, after that time they will fill out and mature.

• Lure coursing is one activity well-fitted to the Italian Greyhound.

• They only weigh, on the average, ten pounds.

Want more information about the IG? Read more about this
wonderful little dog from an IG expert with years of experience.

Is An Italian Greyhound Right For You?

Retun from Italian Greyhound to Toy Dog Group

I like a bit of a mongrel myself, whether it's a man or a dog; it's best for every day." - George Bernard Shaw


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