Everything you need to know about Italian Greyhounds

Summary

With history going back as far as Ancient Rome, they're little hunting hounds and companions.

Key stats

• Height: 32 to 38cm

• Weight: 3.5 to 6kg

• Size: Small (Toy)

• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

• Coat: Short, smooth

• Exercise: 1 hour daily

• Grooming: Weekly

• Temper: Calm, gentle, affectionate

Breed history

The Italian Greyhound's history goes back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. They were bred to be fast and agile hunting dogs for small prey, as well as a companion.

They later became popular in Renaissance Italy, and were a favourite pet for the nobility. They were often featured in art as a symbol of wealth and elegance. The "Italian" in their name pays homage to their popularity in Italy during this period.

These graceful dogs continue to be popular thanks to their refined look and affectionate nature. Although now their use as hunting hounds has pretty much vanished.

Appearance

They're dainty and elegant dogs. They have a slender and streamlined body to help them be as fast and agile as possible. They have long, slim legs but they're not very tall, and they're usually around 32 to 38 cm tall at the shoulder. They should look lean and athletic with a deep chest and a tucked abdomen.

They've got a short, sleek coat that lies close to their body. They only have a single coat, so they don't shed much and aren't "fluffy", but they're still very soft.

These dogs have a long, narrow face with large, expressive eyes. They have small ears that might fold all the way back, or fold slightly at the top.

Italian Greyhound colours

Italian Greyhounds come in a variety of different colours. They can be either a solid, single colour or they can have white markings or patterns too.

The Italian Greyhound colours from the breed standard are:

• Black

• Black & White

• Black White Trim

• Blue

• Blue & Fawn

• Blue & White

• Blue & White Pied

• Blue White Trim

• Cream

• Fawn

• Fawn & White

• Fawn & White Pied

• Fawn White Trim

• Liver

• Pale Fawn

• Red

• Red & White

• Red White Trim

• Sable

• White

Italian Greyhound temperament

The typical Italian Greyhound's temperament is gentle and affectionate. They're known for being sensitive and loyal, and form strong bonds with their owners. Often having one special person.

As they're affectionate and sensitive, they can be clingy and want to be with you all the time. Because of this, they can be prone to separation anxiety without proper training.

They'll look for affection and can become needy if they don't get it. This can make them either very shy or hyperactive, trying to get your attention.

They're generally polite with new people, but can be aloof and sometimes even timid. So it's a good idea to socialise them early and properly.

How much exercise does an Italian Greyhound need?

Italian Greyhounds are toy dogs but they still need at leats an hour of exercise a day. You can break this up into a few short walks a day and some interactive play.

Despite their small size, the Italian Greyhounds are still sighthounds that enjoy running around and can be very fast! Some have a high prey drive and mightbolt if they see some quick-moving prey. Keep them in an enclosed area or on a long lead to prevent them from chasing after potential prey and running off.

Italian Greyhounds can be prone to fractures and injuries. So it's important to manage their exercise especially, while they're young. For more info on how much exercise a puppy needs, check out Ben the Vet's guide.

How to groom an Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds are low-maintenance in terms of grooming. Because they have a short coat and don't have an undercoat, so they need less grooming than long-haired breeds. You'll never have to trim their fur, and only need to brush them about once a week.

Italian Greyhounds do shed, but it's a tiny amount and the fur is so short and fine you'll probably never notice it. Plus brushing them will help to remove any loose hairs.

You should bathe your Italian Greyhound about once every 3 months to help keep their skin and fur clean and healthy. You shouldn't need to bathe them more often unless they're visibly dirty or smelly.

Like any dog breed, you'll need to clean their teeth regularly to prevent dental disease help keep them healthy overall. Clean their teeth a few times a week to keep them healthy, and get rid of plaque and doggy breath. You'll also need to trim their claws about once a month.

Common Italian Greyhound health problems

Dental issues

Because of their small skull and jaw, they're prone to dental problems. Dental disease is a common health problem in Italian Greyhounds, and regular teeth cleaning is vital to prevent it.

Knee problems

Small breeds are prone to luxating patella, which is where the kneecap slips in and out of place. Treatment depends on how severe it is. It may include weight loss, supplements, pain medication, limiting exercise, or physio. Severe cases may need surgery.

Joint disorders

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a hip disorder that causes reduced blood supply to the femoral head. This means it breaks down. Routine vet check-ups will help detect and manage such issues early.

Eye disease

Another common health issue is Progressive Retinal Atrophy. It's an inherited eye disease that causes gradual vision loss. Breeders should always screen their dogs and only breed ones who won't pass on inherited health problems.