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Italian Greyhounds are a quiet breed, with a gentle nature. They are very intelligent and loyal to their owners, although they can be shy around strangers. They make great lapdogs and tend to bond closely with their owners if given plenty of love and attention. This breed likes routines so it’s important to establish one early on in order to keep them happy and content.
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Italian Greyhounds are a quiet breed, with a gentle nature. They are very intelligent and loyal to their owners, although they can be shy around strangers. They make great lapdogs and tend to bond closely with their owners if given plenty of love and attention. This breed likes routines so it’s important to establish one early on in order to keep them happy and content.
Questions To Ask A Breeder
- Are you are registered breeder?
- Can we meet in person?
- Have they been socialised?
Breed Characteristics
Grooming
Exercise
Size Range
The Ultimate Italian Greyhound Guide
About Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is essentially a miniature of their larger Greyhound cousins. They’re small dogs with an oversized personality. They’re watchful and alert, but are generally calm at home and love to spend time with their owners. Italian Greyhounds can be elegant and loveable additions to almost any household.
Lifespan
14 to 15 years
Weight
3 to 6.5 kg
Height
33 to 38 cm
Grooming
While it is easy to groom an Italian Greyhound, getting them to sit still during grooming sessions starts with practice during the first couple of months of life. Get your puppy used to being touched all over while they are still easy to handle, and you may save yourself frustration when they get older.
Origins
The Italian Greyhound has been around for thousands of years. Although it is unclear exactly when and where the Italian Greyhound originated, it is believed that the breed was first developed in earnest in Italy during the Renaissance.
As its name suggests, the Italian Greyhound is a descendant of ancient hounds from the Mediterranean region.
It is generally accepted that this breed has its roots in the Middle East – more specifically in Greece and Turkey – with some experts believing that it may have even come from Egypt.
There are records of similar-looking dogs being found in artworks dating as far back as 4th century B.C., so it’s safe to assume that this breed has existed for many centuries.
Italian Greyhounds were brought to Europe during the Middle Ages by traders and merchants who had travelled throughout the Mediterranean region. These early dogs were used primarily as lapdogs or companions for wealthy families, although they were also used as hunting dogs due to their excellent sight and speed.
During this time, they became popular amongst royalty and members of high society, and were immortalised in paintings by famous artists.
Key Characteristics Of Italian Greyhounds
Are Italian Greyhounds Family-Friendly?
Yes, Italian Greyhounds are generally friendly and affectionate towards people of all ages, making them excellent family pets. However, they also require a lot of attention and exercise, so they can be a good fit for an active family with older children who can care for these small dogs.
Common Health Issues & Considerations
Italian Greyhounds may suffer from:
Epilepsy
Skin diseases
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
A disorder of the hip joint where the head of the femur bone degenerates, leading to pain and lameness.
Nature / Temperament
Alert, Gentle, Sensitive, Playful, Sweet
Suitable Environment
An Italian greyhound is a very small breed of dog, so it is important to ensure that the environment they live in is suitable for their needs. The ideal environment should be quiet and comfortable with plenty of space to move around and explore. It should also have access to a secure garden or yard where they can exercise and play.
Additionally, the home should be temperature controlled – cooler in summer, warmer in winter – as these dogs do not tolerate extreme temperatures well.
They are calm and gentle dogs but they are also alert when strangers approach, so keep in mind that they have a tendency to bark very loudly, making them less ideal for apartment owners.
Other Considerations
● Italian Greyhounds can be difficult to housetrain, much like other small breed dogs. Sadly, some Italian Greyhounds may not be completely trustworthy inside the house, so an easily-accessible outdoor space may be necessary.
● Unlike other dogs, Italian Greyhounds tend to have a curious love of high places, and you may find that your puppy has perched on the back of a chair or on a windowsill.
● Italian Greyhounds may or may not get along well with cats, depending on the level of prey drive that a specific dog may have.
How can I take good care of my Italian Greyhound?
Nutrition
As with all puppies, Italian Greyhound puppies need a well-balanced diet of high-quality puppy food. Whole protein sources such as beef, chicken, turkey, fish and eggs are important for the muscle development and growth of this breed. Additionally, Italian Greyhound puppies benefit from omega fatty acids to maintain healthy joints and a shiny coat.
Fresh water should be available at all times to keep them hydrated.
Most Italian Greyhound puppies will require 3 to 4 meals a day due to their small stomachs. Any major diet changes should happen under the supervision of your veterinarian.
Grooming
Italian Greyhounds are generally low-maintenance dogs. They require minimal grooming and bathing, as they do not have a thick coat of fur. A weekly brushing with a hound glove or soft-bristle brush will help ensure that their coat stays sleek and shiny.
Recommended Grooming Tips
You may bathe your Italian Greyhound puppy when they’ve rolled in anything smelly. Apart from that, baths every couple of months are standard, as they tend to be clean dogs.
The Italian Greyhound’s ears should be checked weekly for discharge, redness or bad odour, which can indicate an infection.
Like other small breeds, Italian Greyhounds can suffer from dental problems. Brush your dog’s teeth with a vet-approved toothpaste around 3 to 4 times a week to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Exercise
Italian Greyhound puppies need plenty of exercise, including daily walks and playtime. They also benefit from running and playing in open areas such as a fenced yard or park.
As sighthounds, they excel at spotting and chasing after prey animals, so if you’re going to be letting your Italian Greyhound off their leash to let them stretch their legs, it should be in a secure space.
This breed excels at keeping up with owners who enjoy running or jogging, though they should always be kept on a leash.
Training
Training should start as soon as possible, even as young as 8 weeks old. The primary focus of your Italian Greyhound puppy’s training should be teaching basic obedience commands. This includes sit, stay, come, down and heel.
Rewards-based training is best for these commands as it encourages positive behaviours and helps them understand what you expect from them. Potty training is also key, as Italian Greyhounds can be hard to housetrain.
Socialisation is another important part of raising a healthy puppy. Introducing your pup to new environments and people can help them become more confident and better behaved in all types of situations throughout their life.
Be sure to expose them to different sounds, smells, sights and experiences while providing positive reinforcement when they are behaving well in those situations.
Some owners enrol their Italian Greyhound puppies in training classes. If you do, ensure that the training methods are based on positive reinforcement.
This is general information and should not be relied on for adopting or purchasing advice.
Most Asked Italian Greyhound Questions
No, Italian Greyhound puppies should not live outdoors. These dogs are small and delicate, and they need to be kept in a warm, dry environment with plenty of love and attention.
They can easily get sick if left outdoors for extended periods of time.
Italian Greyhounds seem to be built to compete, with their athletic bodies and graceful gait. Obedience, agility and rally competitions are all fair game for a well-trained Italian Greyhound, though extra effort is required to get them to follow commands when they’re feeling stubborn.
When looking for Italian Greyhound puppies for sale, you should only deal with reputable breeders with a history of producing happy, healthy dogs. Italian Greyhound puppies from good breeders will end up better behaved and longer-lived than otherwise.
The average cost of Italian Greyhounds is typically between AUD $2000 and $5000.
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