Italian Greyhound: temperament, size, care and health

About the Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound looks like a greyhound drawn at a quarter of the size. It has a long narrow head, rose-shaped ears folded back, a deep chest that tucks up at the waist, long thin legs and a low-set, whip-like tail. The coat is short and shiny and comes in solid colors such as fawn, red, blue, black and cream, or with white markings. Its movement is a high-stepping trot, and at full speed it can gallop at remarkable pace.

It is a companion dog first and a sprinter second, and people keep it for its elegance and for its warm, quiet devotion at home.

Temperament and family life

An Italian Greyhound is affectionate and sensitive, attaching strongly to its family and often burrowing under blankets or lying on a lap. It is playful and clownish at times, then calm for long periods. Many are shy with strangers and may need patient socialization, and they do not tolerate harsh voices or rough handling.

The breed is delicate, so it is not recommended for homes with toddlers or with large, boisterous dogs. It is a sighthound and may chase small animals, such as squirrels, at high speed, though many live comfortably with cats they know. It does poorly if left alone for long periods and is difficult to keep calm in a chaotic house.

Exercise and training

The Italian Greyhound loves to sprint, and a fenced yard or an enclosed field for short bursts of running is valuable. It should never be let off its leash in an unfenced area, since it can see a target and be gone in seconds. A daily walk plus play meets most needs, and the breed settles quickly afterward.

Training takes patience. The breed is intelligent but sensitive and independent, and it responds to gentle, reward-based methods in short sessions. House training is notoriously slow, particularly in cold or wet weather, because many dogs dislike going outdoors. Crate training and a regular routine, with indoor alternatives, often help.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is among the easiest to keep. A weekly rub with a soft brush or cloth is enough, and the breed sheds very little. Bathing is needed only when dirty.

Care is mainly about the dog's comfort. A thin coat and low body fat mean it needs a sweater or coat in cool weather and warm bedding at all times. Teeth need frequent brushing since dental disease is common, and nails should be trimmed regularly to protect the fine feet.

Health

The slender legs are the breed's weak point. Fractures of the lower leg bones happen with jumping off furniture or being stepped on, and a small injury can be serious. Periodontal disease is very common and can cause tooth loss. Patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy and an autoimmune hair-loss condition have been reported. As with other sighthounds, the breed can react unusually to some anesthetics, so a veterinarian should know the breed.

Responsible breeders test knees, hips and eyes. This is general information about the Italian Greyhound, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The Italian Greyhound is a very old type of miniature sighthound, and small greyhound-like dogs appear in ancient Roman art. By the Renaissance they were kept by Italian noble families and portrayed in paintings, and they remained popular with European nobility and royalty. The breed reached the United States in the nineteenth century, and the American Kennel Club began registering it in 1886.

Is the Italian Greyhound right for you?

An Italian Greyhound suits a calm, adult household in a warm home with a secure yard and the patience for slow house training. It is quiet, clean and not a heavy shedder.

It is a poor match for rough play, for homes with very small children or for owners who want an easy, tough dog. The Whippet is a larger and sturdier relative with a similar nature, and the Greyhound is larger still. The Miniature Pinscher offers a similar size in a livelier, more outgoing dog.