Complete Guide To The Italian Greyhound
This miniature version of the larger Greyhound is active yet affectionate. Although it needs plenty of exercise and play to keep it happy, the Italian Greyhound can be well suited to apartment life if given a chance to burn off energy every day. Sensitive, affectionate, and sweet, the Italian Greyhound is happy to be a lap dog with every family member, kids included, if given the opportunity.
In my veterinary practice, Italian Greyhounds are not as common as they once were but I’ve met and known many of these little characters during my 30 years of working with dogs.
Table of Contents
How Big Do Italian Greyhounds Get?
| Height | Weight | |
| Male | 13″ – 15″ at the shoulder | 9-14 lbs |
| Female | 13″ – 14″ at the shoulder | 7-12 lbs |
What Do Italian Greyhounds Look Like?
The Italian Greyhound is a small dog that is athletic and sleek. There is not much size differentiation between males and females. The fur is sleek and short, and it is incredibly smooth to the touch.
The Italian Greyhound comes in several colors, including cream, fawn, black, blue, and red. The dog can be a solid color, or it can have patches of white markings. They can be confused with the larger Whippet breed.
What Is The Personality Of A Italian Greyhound?
This little dog is loving and affectionate. It is happy to share its home with adults, kids, and other dogs, pending they are the same size or larger. This dog is a hound and has an instinct to chase animals that are smaller than it. The dog is happy living in an apartment if it is given enough exercise.
Due to their small size, some simple playtime should be enough to keep this dog happy. When it isn’t playing, the Italian Greyhound makes an excellent lap dog. In fact, they love attention and will want to be by your side at all times.
While the Italian Greyhound is friendly and affectionate toward its family, it can be aloof and standoffish toward strangers. Despite its small size, this dog has a substantial big-dog bark, making it a good watchdog. Although this breed of dog is intelligent, they have a typical hound personality that can be difficult to train.
The dog has a “what’s in it for me?” mentality that can make it stubborn at times. Always use positive reinforcement with plenty of praise. Harsh training and treatment can damage this dog’s sensitive personality.
What Kind Of Grooming Do Italian Greyhounds Need?
Unsurprisingly, this short-haired dog needs very little grooming to maintain a healthy coat. Simply go over the coat with a short brush regularly to remove any loose and dead hairs. This dog is a moderate shedder, but regular brushing will help to reduce the amount of fur shed. Only bath this dog if necessary.
Because this dog has short fur, it can be incredibly sensitive to extreme temperatures and sunlight. Be sure to use dog sunblock in the summer, and give your Italian Greyhound a sweater or jacket if it is cold in the winter.
This breed has an unusually high occurrence of skin cancer, which may be attributed to its sensitive skin. Keep a close eye on the Italian Greyhound’s teeth, and be sure to keep up with regular veterinary dental visits.
How Much Exercise Does A Italian Greyhound Need?
The little Italian Greyhound is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise to stay happy and fit. Because these dogs are small, sometimes simple playtime can be enough to tire this dog out. Playtime can be a fun game of fetch or a game with a fellow dog.
Although it may be tempting, try to avoid dog parks for this small dog. Larger dogs can easily trample these dogs due to their small size. The Italian Greyhound loves to run and can make an excellent jogging partner. Always keep this dog on a leash with a harness. The dog is built to chase and hunt small animals and can be gone before you have a chance to grab it.
IGs are also fantastic at many types of canine sports and the national breed club holds breed-specific competitions every year. Some of the activities that IGS are known for include agility, lure coursing, and more. Check out our page on Canine Sports for more ideas about what these versatile dogs can do.
What Kind Of Dog Food Is Best For Italian Greyhounds?
Most small kibble dry dog foods will be suitable for a Italian Greyhound. This particular breed has pretty large teeth so as long as the kibble isn’t too large it should be fine.
Grain-free diets are a myth. Please do not feed your dog a grain-free diet unless there are specific food allergies that would benefit from a grain-free diet. Always consult your veterinarian before you decide to make any major diet changes.
Some good brands that I recommend include:
I usually tend to go with the bigger dog food companies because of the amount of time and money they have to research and test their products. They also have a stronger history of safe foods (very rarely will they have recalls) over the newer, more boutique-style dog foods.
It is important always to give your dog high-quality dog food. Monitor the number of treats and “people food” you give your dog to keep him healthy and fit. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is the best and easiest way to extend the life of your IG.
How Long Do Italian Greyhounds Live?
14-15 years old according to information from the AKC
What Health Problems Do Italian Greyhounds Have?
IGs are a long-lived breed but that doesn’t mean that they can’t have particular health issues. What I see in this breed in my veterinary practice include:
- Dental Disease
- Obesity as they get older
- Luxating Patella
Breeders of IGs should screen their breeding stock for a variety of diseases that you can read about here.
Where Can I Learn More About Italian Greyhounds?
Italian Greyhound Club of America
Where Can I Find an Italian Greyhound?
This breed of dog is increasingly popular, and it should be relatively easy to find. However, make sure to do your homework ahead of time and thoroughly research the breeder. You want to find a breeder that is knowledgeable about Italian Greyhounds and will answer all your questions. If possible, try to meet the mother and father dog and all the puppies in the litter before choosing your pup.
Start by perusing the listings of breeders from the Italian Greyhound Club of America.
Looking for an IG Rescue? Start with the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation. You can also check out various regional clubs including:
Fun Facts About the Italian Greyhound
- This breed of dog is known for its popularity among noblewomen, especially in Italy, during the Middle Ages. Eventually, the dog’s popularity spread throughout Europe and England and became a hallmark of the aristocracy.
- The Italian Greyhound can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
- Although this is an intelligent breed that can learn many new behaviors, many owners have difficulty with housetraining. As a result, some dogs never become completely housetrained, even as adults. Some accidents here and there are normal for this breed of dog.
- This dog is an ancient breed that may have existed up to 2,000 years ago. Archeologists have found small skeletons of tiny Greyhound dogs in Turkey and Greece that look identical to the Italian Greyhound.
- The Italian Greyhound has long been a staple dog of royalty. Famous Italian Greyhound owners include Mary, Queen of Scots, Frederick the Great of Prussia, Queen Victoria, and Charles I.
