They are called Italian Greyhounds because of their high popularity among the 16th century Italian nobility, but the origins of the breed are much more complex. They are over 2000 years old, originating like other Sighthounds in the Middle East. However, people cannot determine whether they were just made to hunt small animals or as companion dogs. Chances are, they were both. Today, the Italian Greyhound is a companion dog. They are cuddly, small, a bit timid, and adorable.

Size

Both males and females are small. According to the AKC, the breed standard measurements are:

• Height: 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm)
• Weight: 7 to 15 pounds (3 to 6.5 kg)

The Italian Greyhound looks like a Greyhound, but in miniature. Both have the Sighthound appearance: deep chest, strong arched neck, long legs, and tucked up abdomen.

Color

The best explanation of what kinds of coat colors an Italian Greyhound has, is to see it like this: they can be red, black, blue, fawn, cream or any of these colors “broken with white”, as mentioned in the Royal Kennel Club. And they can be pure white as well.

Social traits

The Italian Greyhound is a great companion dog. They are a bit shy, so socialization and building up their confidence is very important. However, even if you do everything correctly, you still might find yourself having a shy dog. That’s just their nature.

They are very affectionate and thrive in human company. Leaving them alone all day long is not a good option for any dog, but especially not for a dog people bred for companionship. The Italian Greyhounds also go very well with other dogs.

The Italian Greyhound is a small dog, so make sure they don’t get hurt while playing with children or other large dog breeds.

Even though the Italian Greyhound is a Sighthound, they go well with other small animals, too. So, having a cat is not a problem. But that’s because most times a cat is bigger than a Greyhound. Other small animals, such as a hamster or a guinea pig, might be a problem.

Trainability

Some people say that they had a problem potty training their Italian Greyhounds. I wouldn’t want to generalize breed as that, because potty training is a process that cannot happen overnight. It takes a few months to teach a dog where to pee.

The Italian Greyhound, or Iggy, as called by those who love the breed, is a fairly easy dog to train. Don’t expect the level of obedience as from a Border Collie, but they are smart dogs that love to do the right thing because that makes their people happy.

The issue could be recall, because they have a strong prey drive, they might not want to come back when you call them and they scented something interesting. We don’t recommend off-leash walks in unfenced areas for this reason.

Activity Needs

The Italian Greyhound is a small dog, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need daily activities. The recommended amount is up to 1 hour a day. You can divide this into separate walks and playtime. I’d also recommend you let your Iggy run free a few times a week. 

Make sure you let your Italian Greyhound run free in a safe area, preferably fenced, like a dog park, a yard, or similar place.

What matters for all dogs is to have enough mental stimulation as well. Having your dog play with some toys at home, playing fetch, hide the treat and let them find it, and so on, are amazing ways to keep your dog happy.

Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Italian Greyhound needs from ½ to 1 cup of kibble a day. The best way to feed a dog is to divide the amount into two meals. You should feed them once in the morning and once in the evening.

You can always add some healthy dog treats, such as fruits safe for dogs or a dog treat as a reward during training. Just make sure that’s not a habit and they get dependent on treats.

If you use treats for training, train your dog before their scheduled meal. That will make them more food-motivated.

Grooming

The Italian Greyhound has a smooth and short coat type. They shed, but it is nothing alarming. However, you will need to brush them regularly, at least once a week. This ensures their coat remains healthy and beautiful.

They also need regular nail trimming and an occasional bath. Think about grooming as the time to bond even more with your dog. It is also a great way to check your dog’s whole body for some possible changes. 

Possible Problems

The Italian Greyhound is a healthy dog with a longer lifespan. Their usual lifespan is around 15 years. They don’t have any special diseases, but the Italian Greyhound Club of America recommends these tests:

• Hip evaluation
• Patella evaluation
• Eye evaluation
• Thyroid evaluation

Even though the Italian Greyhounds look fragile, they are much sturdier than they appear. However, they have short fur and low body fat, which means they need protection from cold with some winter equipment for dogs.

Final Thoughts

The Italian Greyhound is a great choice for families with older children. They are companion dogs, so make sure not to leave them all alone for too long every day. Also, because of their timid nature, we have to pay special attention to their confidence, socialization, and habituation. But no matter how well we socialize them, most of them have a strong prey drive. That means they are not suitable for off-leash walks and living with small animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. 

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Cover photo by Jeeby