Italian Greyhound
Compiled and researched by Izelle de Klerk (BSc) - Dodgy Dogs & Crazy Cats
Canine & Feline Behaviourist
Canine & Feline Behaviourist
Rescue Foundation and contact info below. If your are considering one, please do have a look at rescue centres first of all. If contact below not in your area, do search for rescue centres for this breed that in your area.http://www.iggyrescue.com/
The Italian Greyhound is an ancient breed that is believed to have originated in the countries now known as Greece and Turkey. A 6000-year-old Egyptian tomb shows dogs similar to the Italian Greyhound and they are also depicted on decorative Mediterranean art of 2000 years ago. By the Middle Ages, the breed had become distributed throughout Southern Europe and was later a favorite of the Italians of the sixteenth century, among whom miniature dogs were in great demand. Their name is a reference to the breed's popularity in Renaissance Italy.
Although the small dogs are mainly companionship dogs they have in fact been used for hunting rats or mice, often in combination with hunting falcons.
Italian Greyhounds are the smallest of the sighthounds. In appearance they closely resemble a small Greyhound with a lean, graceful body, long pointed face and small ears. They have a short, glossy coat that comes in almost any colour, usually with white markings.
Personality
They are small, fragile, and emotionally high maintenance. These little guys are an in-your-face breed: intelligent, playful, opinionated, manipulative, charming, curious, comical and happy. But they can also be sweet, peaceful, gentle, affectionate, kind-mannered, loving, devoted and easygoing
Is this the correct pup for you, which is the best home and why?
Italian Greyhounds will easily adapt to any living arrangement. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay in an apartment without a yard, however they tend to prefer spacious areas. They are not outdoor dogs and should not be left outside while you are gone, they are also very sensitive to cold weather (due to their short thin coats), so they like to be indoors when it’s cold out. They do best in a quiet household, and make good pets for everyone from the elderly, singles to families with older children.
Their one purpose on earth is to love and be loved. They will follow you around everywhere you go, sit on the furniture, sleep under the covers in your bed. They can form very strong bonds with their owners but be careful not to baby and overprotect them as this will cause them to become snappish if they are frightened. They require a lot of attention and affection and may at times demand that you immediate drop what you are doing and give them attention. They do not graciously accept being ignored, some of them become destructive and unmanageable if left to their own devices.
These dogs are very active and do need daily exercise, especially when they are young. They like to go for long daily walks and love to run but they are not likely to play fetch (they think of this as below them). Stuffed toys are their favorite and they have been known to shred them to pieces. Some of these dogs enjoy dog agility, but most of them are inclined for straight-out racing rather than for working tightly as a team with a handler on a technical course. Lure coursing is another activity well-fitted to the Italian Greyhound, and they seem to enjoy it tremendously. If they do not get enough exercise and mental stimulation they can become destructive.
They should never be let off lead in an area that it is not safe to do so. They can spot things 300 yards away and due to their high prey drive they will chase anything they decide is prey: squirrels, ferrets, rabbits, cats, etc. They are also easily startled and may take off if something frightens them. They can run over 40km/p, so if they get away you won't be able to catch them - and they have no road sense.
Breakaway collars are advised for identification, because this active and acrobatic breed could easily injure themselves when put in a collar they cannot escape from, and this leads to possible neck injuries and strangling.
Italian Greyhounds make reasonably good watchdogs, as they bark at unfamiliar sounds. They may also bark at passers-by and other animals. However, they should not be considered "true" guard dogs as they are often aloof with strangers and easily spooked to run.
You will often find your Italian Greyhounds on the back of the couch staring out the window or sleeping in the sun. They are also very curiosity and love to be in, around and on top of anything that they find interesting, if there are objects laying around they will steal, swipe, stashing or eat it. Care should be taken to make sure that they do not get into trouble or danger (keeping in mind that they are extremely fast, and able to climb). Outdoor activites can include digging small (or large) holes, chasing squirrels or birds, eating unmentionable things and occasionally clipping grass.
Like a lot of small breeds the Italian Greyhounds is prone to developing Small Dog Syndrome, this is where the dog believes that they are boss and is due to the fact that the owner is too lenient with them and lets them get away with more that they should because they are so small and cute. This can lead to behavioural problems such as separation anxiety, guarding, growling, snapping, biting, excessive barking and untrusting of children and sometimes adults. To prevent this you need to give this dog rules, and limits to what they are and are not allowed to do; be firm and consistent.
In a nutshell an Italian Greyhound is for you if you:
Where do I get my pup from?
Only from reputable breeders! One can contact the Kennel Union Of South Africa (KUSA). They have a list of breeders who have puppies available.
Always try and meet both parents of the puppies. This is not always possible as the sire (father) may be an imported dog. Definitely ask to see the mother.
Please read our articles on how to choose a reputable breeder on the Puppies page.
Although the small dogs are mainly companionship dogs they have in fact been used for hunting rats or mice, often in combination with hunting falcons.
Italian Greyhounds are the smallest of the sighthounds. In appearance they closely resemble a small Greyhound with a lean, graceful body, long pointed face and small ears. They have a short, glossy coat that comes in almost any colour, usually with white markings.
Personality
They are small, fragile, and emotionally high maintenance. These little guys are an in-your-face breed: intelligent, playful, opinionated, manipulative, charming, curious, comical and happy. But they can also be sweet, peaceful, gentle, affectionate, kind-mannered, loving, devoted and easygoing
Is this the correct pup for you, which is the best home and why?
Italian Greyhounds will easily adapt to any living arrangement. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay in an apartment without a yard, however they tend to prefer spacious areas. They are not outdoor dogs and should not be left outside while you are gone, they are also very sensitive to cold weather (due to their short thin coats), so they like to be indoors when it’s cold out. They do best in a quiet household, and make good pets for everyone from the elderly, singles to families with older children.
Their one purpose on earth is to love and be loved. They will follow you around everywhere you go, sit on the furniture, sleep under the covers in your bed. They can form very strong bonds with their owners but be careful not to baby and overprotect them as this will cause them to become snappish if they are frightened. They require a lot of attention and affection and may at times demand that you immediate drop what you are doing and give them attention. They do not graciously accept being ignored, some of them become destructive and unmanageable if left to their own devices.
These dogs are very active and do need daily exercise, especially when they are young. They like to go for long daily walks and love to run but they are not likely to play fetch (they think of this as below them). Stuffed toys are their favorite and they have been known to shred them to pieces. Some of these dogs enjoy dog agility, but most of them are inclined for straight-out racing rather than for working tightly as a team with a handler on a technical course. Lure coursing is another activity well-fitted to the Italian Greyhound, and they seem to enjoy it tremendously. If they do not get enough exercise and mental stimulation they can become destructive.
They should never be let off lead in an area that it is not safe to do so. They can spot things 300 yards away and due to their high prey drive they will chase anything they decide is prey: squirrels, ferrets, rabbits, cats, etc. They are also easily startled and may take off if something frightens them. They can run over 40km/p, so if they get away you won't be able to catch them - and they have no road sense.
Breakaway collars are advised for identification, because this active and acrobatic breed could easily injure themselves when put in a collar they cannot escape from, and this leads to possible neck injuries and strangling.
Italian Greyhounds make reasonably good watchdogs, as they bark at unfamiliar sounds. They may also bark at passers-by and other animals. However, they should not be considered "true" guard dogs as they are often aloof with strangers and easily spooked to run.
You will often find your Italian Greyhounds on the back of the couch staring out the window or sleeping in the sun. They are also very curiosity and love to be in, around and on top of anything that they find interesting, if there are objects laying around they will steal, swipe, stashing or eat it. Care should be taken to make sure that they do not get into trouble or danger (keeping in mind that they are extremely fast, and able to climb). Outdoor activites can include digging small (or large) holes, chasing squirrels or birds, eating unmentionable things and occasionally clipping grass.
Like a lot of small breeds the Italian Greyhounds is prone to developing Small Dog Syndrome, this is where the dog believes that they are boss and is due to the fact that the owner is too lenient with them and lets them get away with more that they should because they are so small and cute. This can lead to behavioural problems such as separation anxiety, guarding, growling, snapping, biting, excessive barking and untrusting of children and sometimes adults. To prevent this you need to give this dog rules, and limits to what they are and are not allowed to do; be firm and consistent.
In a nutshell an Italian Greyhound is for you if you:
- Don’t mind a dog that won’t always your every command.
- Don't mind sharing the couch and bed with them
- Don’t mind the dog digging
- Don’t mind constant company
- Want a small lapdog that loves attention
- Don’t mind the dog living indoors
- Are willing to take the time to housetrain them, and also to accept the occasional accident
- Are willing to give them the exercise they need
- Want a dog that is very easy to groom
- Are willing to keep a constant eye on them so they don’t get into trouble
Where do I get my pup from?
Only from reputable breeders! One can contact the Kennel Union Of South Africa (KUSA). They have a list of breeders who have puppies available.
Always try and meet both parents of the puppies. This is not always possible as the sire (father) may be an imported dog. Definitely ask to see the mother.
Please read our articles on how to choose a reputable breeder on the Puppies page.
Which other breeds are most compatible with the Italian Greyhounds?
The best breed to get with a Italian Greyhound would be a smaller breed so they are about the same size, you can look at breeds like Chihuahua, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Whippet, another Italian Greyhound (of course), etc.
If you are looking for a bigger dog it is best to get a calmer, easy-going breed as larger more playful dogs can accidently hurt the Italian Greyhound. Look at breeds like a Gray Hound, Great Dane, Labrador (once they calm down after their boisterous teen years), Wolfhound, Saint Bernard, etc.
Is it wise to have two or more of the same breed?
Most definitely, this is the most ideal situation as they understand each other. Preferably have a male and female. Two females will also get along as long as they are introduced as puppies. An older female will get on with a puppy female but it is not advisable to introduce two fully grown females. Always have only one male unless you have a lot of experience handling dogs.
Should I get two pups together?
This is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
Please read ‘Placing Littermates in the same home’ and ‘Double Trouble - (why you shouldn’t get two puppies)’ on our website for more information.
Is it wise to keep same-sex dogs?
To keep two or more same-sex dogs of a rather dominant breed together, is often a recipe for conflict. They can get along fine, until they are ‘triggered’ by a ball or a bone lying on the lawn, when both might want to take possession of it, or by someone delivering mail and when they rush for the gate and can’t get to the ‘intruder’, they go for one another. Additionally, as the pup reaches the adolescent stage, its own position in the canine pack will assume much importance. This can lead to fighting between dogs and especially in the case of two females. The fights can be very serious and may not be able to be solved.
Do they get on well with other animals?
Italian Greyhounds gets along well with other dogs and cats.
Keep in mind that, like with all dogs, the level at which these dogs get along with other animals depends greatly on how well they were socialized as pups
Are they good with children?
If socialized well they enjoy the company of people. However, the breed's slim build and short coat make them somewhat fragile, and injury can result from rough or careless play with young children. They are recommended for families with older children, who understand to handles theses little dogs with gently care.
The best breed to get with a Italian Greyhound would be a smaller breed so they are about the same size, you can look at breeds like Chihuahua, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Whippet, another Italian Greyhound (of course), etc.
If you are looking for a bigger dog it is best to get a calmer, easy-going breed as larger more playful dogs can accidently hurt the Italian Greyhound. Look at breeds like a Gray Hound, Great Dane, Labrador (once they calm down after their boisterous teen years), Wolfhound, Saint Bernard, etc.
Is it wise to have two or more of the same breed?
Most definitely, this is the most ideal situation as they understand each other. Preferably have a male and female. Two females will also get along as long as they are introduced as puppies. An older female will get on with a puppy female but it is not advisable to introduce two fully grown females. Always have only one male unless you have a lot of experience handling dogs.
Should I get two pups together?
This is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
- Bond with each other to the exclusion of you
- Will stress without the other dog being around
- Fight with each other
- Be more destructive and boisterous
- Two pups together often leads to one being more assertive and the other more submissive. This could well end up in a situation where the more submissive dog will never develop its full potential.
- Mature later
Please read ‘Placing Littermates in the same home’ and ‘Double Trouble - (why you shouldn’t get two puppies)’ on our website for more information.
Is it wise to keep same-sex dogs?
To keep two or more same-sex dogs of a rather dominant breed together, is often a recipe for conflict. They can get along fine, until they are ‘triggered’ by a ball or a bone lying on the lawn, when both might want to take possession of it, or by someone delivering mail and when they rush for the gate and can’t get to the ‘intruder’, they go for one another. Additionally, as the pup reaches the adolescent stage, its own position in the canine pack will assume much importance. This can lead to fighting between dogs and especially in the case of two females. The fights can be very serious and may not be able to be solved.
Do they get on well with other animals?
Italian Greyhounds gets along well with other dogs and cats.
Keep in mind that, like with all dogs, the level at which these dogs get along with other animals depends greatly on how well they were socialized as pups
Are they good with children?
If socialized well they enjoy the company of people. However, the breed's slim build and short coat make them somewhat fragile, and injury can result from rough or careless play with young children. They are recommended for families with older children, who understand to handles theses little dogs with gently care.
Training requirements and grooming
Training
They are dependable and eager to please, making them fairly easy to train. But they can sometimes break the rules to see if they can get away with it. They are not terribly fond of obedience and don’t respond well to harsh discipline. Owners need to be patient, firm, calm and consistent - using only positive reinforcement techniques
They are notoriously difficult to housetrain. Because they do not like to go outside if it is raining, snowing, cold, or if the wind is blowing, they often refuse to "do their business" outside. Some take months to housetrain, some years, and some are never fully housetrained. Some owners get around bad weather by using an indoor litter box, it works like a charm and these dogs train to litter boxes relatively easily.
Grooming
The Italian Greyhound is one of the easiest dogs to groom. They shed little to no hair and all that is needed to keep the fine, silky coat gleaming is a rubdown with a towel or chamois. Only bathe when absolutely necessary and after bathing make sure the dog is thoroughly dry and warm.
Dental care is very important with this breed, their scissor-bite and thin jaw bones make them susceptible to periodontal disease, which can be avoided by brushing their teeth daily.
As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Ears should smell good, without too much wax or gunk inside, and eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.
Health concerns
Common health issues include:
They enjoy sunbathing and can get sunburned or overheated.
Adult dogs are fairly hardy, however puppies are more fragile up until they are about eighteen months old, and they can break a leg rather easily. During this time be careful with them.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Life expectancy
A healthy Italian Greyhound can live as long as 18 years.
Interesting Facts
Training
They are dependable and eager to please, making them fairly easy to train. But they can sometimes break the rules to see if they can get away with it. They are not terribly fond of obedience and don’t respond well to harsh discipline. Owners need to be patient, firm, calm and consistent - using only positive reinforcement techniques
They are notoriously difficult to housetrain. Because they do not like to go outside if it is raining, snowing, cold, or if the wind is blowing, they often refuse to "do their business" outside. Some take months to housetrain, some years, and some are never fully housetrained. Some owners get around bad weather by using an indoor litter box, it works like a charm and these dogs train to litter boxes relatively easily.
Grooming
The Italian Greyhound is one of the easiest dogs to groom. They shed little to no hair and all that is needed to keep the fine, silky coat gleaming is a rubdown with a towel or chamois. Only bathe when absolutely necessary and after bathing make sure the dog is thoroughly dry and warm.
Dental care is very important with this breed, their scissor-bite and thin jaw bones make them susceptible to periodontal disease, which can be avoided by brushing their teeth daily.
As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Ears should smell good, without too much wax or gunk inside, and eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.
Health concerns
Common health issues include:
- Epilepsy
- slipped stifle
- hypothyroidism
- knee problems
- fractures
- PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
- Legg-Perthes disease (degeneration of the hip)
- von Willebrand disease (vWD) (Bleeding disorder)
- Color dilution alopecia (hair loss in dilute pigmented dogs, i.e.: blues, blue fawns, etc.)
- Leg Breaks (most common under the age of 2)
- Cataracts
- Vitreous degeneration
- Liver shunts
They enjoy sunbathing and can get sunburned or overheated.
Adult dogs are fairly hardy, however puppies are more fragile up until they are about eighteen months old, and they can break a leg rather easily. During this time be careful with them.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Life expectancy
A healthy Italian Greyhound can live as long as 18 years.
Interesting Facts
- 'Designer' breeders tried - and failed - to make the breed even smaller by crossbreeding them with other breeds of dogs. This only led to mutations with deformed skulls, bulging eyes and dental problems. The original Italian Greyhound had almost disappeared when groups of breeders got together and managed to return the breed to normal.
- James I of England, Catherine the Great of Russia, Anne of Denmark and Queen Victoria, all owned Italian Greyhounds.
- During the 1700s Frederick the Great of Prussia took one of these little dogs to war with him, and he buried the dog himself when it died at the Sans Souci Palace. It was Frederick's dying wish that he be buried next to his dog, so on the 205th anniversary of his death, on 17 August 1991, Frederick's family transferred his remains to Sans Souci, and placed them beside his little Italian Greyhound.
- In the 19th century an African chieftain liked the dogs so much that he offered 200 cattle in exchange for a single Italian Greyhound.
- Mummified dogs very similar to the Italian Greyhound (or small Greyhounds) have been found in Egypt, and pictorials of small Greyhounds have been found in Pompeii, and they were probably the only accepted companion-dog there.
- Nelly from the film Good Boy! is an Italian Greyhound played by "Motif" and "Imp".
- The American rock band Shellac named their fourth album Excellent Italian Greyhound in reference to drummer Todd Trainer's pet Italian Greyhound, Uffizi.
- The 3.5 Edition of the Player's Handbook for Dungeons & Dragons features a sketch of an Italian Greyhound under its description for "handle animal."
- Vienna Teng wrote a song titled "Stray Italian Greyhound" that was inspired by Barack Obama's 2004 DNC keynote address.
- YouTube sensation Jenna Marbles features her Italian Greyhound, "Kermit" A.K.A. "Kermie Wormie" in her weekly videos along with her chihuahua "Mr. Marbles".
- The grace of the breed has prompted several artists to include the dogs in paintings, among others Velázquez, Pisanello and Giotto.
Do`s and Don`ts of this breed
Do’s
Don’ts
Do’s
- Give them lots of attention
- Socialize and train them early
- Keep them on lead unless you are in an area where it is safe to let them off
- Give them lots of exercise
Don’ts
- Leave them alone for long periods of time, they need human companionship.
- Baby or overprotect them, they can become snappy
- Leave them outside, they are indoor dogs
- Let them run the house
