Italian Greyhound Dog Breed Information: Facts, Traits, Pictures & More

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The Italian Greyhound is proof that great things come in small packages. As the miniature version of the Greyhound, they have catlike reflexes and lightning-fast speed. However, they’re most content cuddling up with their owners on the couch, especially if they have a warm lap to lay in.

The Italian Greyhound, known by lovers as an “IG” or an “Iggy” for short, is a well-loved sighthound. This toy breed may be small and slender, but they possess quite a talent for hunting and can be a perfect companion dog for both individuals and families. Let me introduce you to this remarkable breed.

Italian Greyhound Breed History

The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of all sighthounds, bred to help out on the hunt some 4,000 to 7,000 years ago. Truly, they are one of the most ancient dog breeds in existence. Despite their name, their origins go as far back as ancient Egypt, where mummified remains of similar dogs could be found buried alongside the pharaohs. While they were useful for hunting small game, they were bred for companionship— fit enough to be in the company of the kings of that time.

Further archaeological evidence puts them closer to the present, around 2,000 years ago, where present-day Greece and Turkey are located. Italian Greyhounds found great popularity in that area and held it very long after. They were used as subjects of ancient art pieces, as a testament to their grace and beauty.

By the Middle Ages (from 5th Century to 15th Century CE), Italian Greyhounds found widespread fame in Southern Europe, including Italy. They came to get the “Italian” part of their name because of their popularity among the Italian nobility. It was quite fashionable to own smaller variations of larger dog breeds at that point in time. They continued their work as artists’ muses, finding themselves depicted in everything from playing cards to paintings to illuminated manuscripts.

It is said that during the 19th Century, there were attempts to shrink the Italian Greyhound even further by breeding them with English Toy Terriers. This caused damage to the breed as it weakened their gene pool. The ailments that came with frailer bodies truly made life for IGs difficult. In 1900, the Italian Greyhound Club formed and tried to bring the breed back to its original form.

Temperament

This small, toy-sized dog is peppy and submissive towards their owner. They have an eager-to-please personality, which makes them agreeable to be around. If you can train your Iggy early enough, they are happy to listen to your commands.

They can be very playful and silly but are generally more content to be lazy. Giving them something to do in the home, like hanging out with their family or playing with a toy, can really help to keep this breed well-behaved. This laid-back nature makes it easy for many people, including novice dog owners, to care for them.

IGs definitely have a very sensitive nature, so be sure that you aren’t unkind to them. They can be very timid when they get nervous and need a patient and loving owner to be good to them. This gentleness is what makes them such good family companions.

They are very sweet dogs who get along well with children. Since they are hunting dogs, keeping small pets in the house, like birds and rabbits, may not be a good idea, as they often see them as prey.

Beyond all this, your Italian Greyhound is a very affectionate and loving dog who is happy to rest in the laps of your family members. They need more attention than most other dogs and, as such, may develop separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long.

Size & Appearance

The Italian Greyhound is similar to the Greyhound but more slender. Since they are quite small dogs, there is very little discrepancy between the size of a male and female IG. Both males and females stand between 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder and weigh seven to 14 pounds. This lithe structure allows for fast running speed, given how highly aerodynamic their bodies are.

An Italian Greyhound’s head is narrow and long, tapering down to the nose. Their muzzle is long and fine, and the nose is dark—either brown or black, depending on the dog’s color. They have medium-sized dark, bright, and intelligent eyes. The AKC does not allow very light eyes. The ears are small, thrown back, and folded. This is except when they are alert and folded at right angles to the head.

The body is slender with a curved back. The necks are long and gracefully arched, making normal dog collars a challenge. So, a harness or martingale collar is recommended for these slender-necked pups. Their shoulders are long and sloping, and their chest is deep and narrow. Forelegs and hindlegs both allow for a great amount of power in running. Forelegs are straight and long, with strong pasterns. Their hindquarters are long, with muscular thighs. IG’s tail is slender and tapers to a curved end, long enough to reach the hind leg hocks.

Coat & Colors

You can expect Italian Greyhounds to have a thin coat with short hair all over the body. The coat is smooth and fine and allows them to be groomed fairly easily. Since they have thin coats, they are unsuitable for colder temperatures as they can easily freeze. Be sure to keep them warm when the winter comes. Despite the lack of coat density, they still shed and are thus not hypoallergenic.

AKC standard allows the Italian Greyhound to come in almost any color. This is with the exception of the brindle patterning, where dark flecks of color are present on a tawny coat. Black and tan markings indicative of being bred with other black and tan dogs are also prohibited. Some colors the Italian Greyhound can come in are gray, fawn, blue, silver, black, cream, red, and white. You may also see any combination of these colors, especially when mixed with white.

Exercise

Despite being one of the fastest runners among all dog breeds, Italian Greyhounds do not have very high energy requirements. They will much prefer going out on walks with you at a leisurely pace rather than doing anything too strenuous. Still, be sure that when you go out, your “Iggy” is on a leash, as they can very quickly outrun you. You don’t want to risk them getting lost, so be sure to do your leash training with them as soon as possible.

Your IG may be small, but they still have a high prey drive. Since they are susceptible to chasing smaller animals they may see outdoors, the yard they spend time in must be very well-fenced. They are also prone to wanderlust, so you must ensure they are safe while hanging out outdoors.

You should also give them plenty of toys to play with to keep them occupied when they are at home and not doing anything else. This helps keep them mentally and physically stimulated so they are on their best behavior. As long as you can meet these needs, you can count on your Italian Greyhound to be a good fit for apartment living. They will be fine living in urban as well as more rural areas.

Living Requirements

Due to their short coat, Italian Greyhounds do not tolerate cold weather very well. During the winter, you should give your dog a nice sweater or jacket so they can still enjoy going out for walks. Your home must be well equipped with a heater so your dog does not get chilly. Iggies enjoy warmer weather, though you should still give them a lot of shade and water in the summer. Be sure to keep them indoors with a fan or air conditioning to help them stay cool on very hot days.

Training Your Italian Greyhound

Training Italian Greyhounds should be fairly easy. However, you must do your best to be kind to them during training. They are quite emotionally fragile and do not respond well to a harsh tone of voice or negative discipline. If you encounter any stubbornness from your dog, do your best to guide them patiently but firmly and confidently.

You should begin obedience training from the moment your Iggy pup comes home. Establishing a good rapport helps make training your dog much easier. The best way to do this is to include plenty of positive reinforcement.

After establishing the rapport needed to succeed and obedience training is finished, you can move on to more complicated tricks. Italian Greyhounds are especially adept at competitive agility and lure coursing, so it’s a good idea to let them try this, too.

It’s important to socialize this tiny sighthound because they are prone to becoming nervous around new people. Just like with obedience training, socialization should begin when they come home with you for the first time. Exposing them to new people, animals, places, and situations at a pace that is healthy is beneficial for their personal development.

If you want more information on Italian Greyhound training, check out our article on finding the right trainer. If online training programs, like Doggie Dan, are more your speed, that’s an option, too.

Health

IGs have a lifespan ranging from 12 to 15 years. If you take good care of your dog’s health, you can make the most of those years you have together. In many cases, you may even extend their time with you.

Like all dogs, Italian Greyhounds are still susceptible to illness. By being proactive, you can make a difference in your dog’s life quality. This will also help you know how to report to your veterinarian in case any symptoms show up. Below, I have listed three of the most common diseases that affect your Iggy.

Periodontal Disease

Italian Greyhounds are susceptible to periodontal disease because of how large their mouths are. This can range anywhere from gingivitis to loss of tooth structure. You can usually spot periodontal disease if your dog exhibits bad breath or their gums are red and puffy and bleed during tooth brushing and eating. More seriously, gum recession, loose teeth, tooth root exposure, missing teeth, and pus oozing from around the gums are worse signs.

You can prevent periodontal disease from progressing by brushing your dog’s teeth regularly. You can also have them professionally cleaned so that all the plaque and tartar above and below the gum line is scaled off. Periodontal disease beyond gingivitis isn’t reversible, but you can prevent it from getting worse with the correct measures.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is an illness where your dog’s knee cap is removed from its regular place in the groove of their thigh bone. This condition can be difficult to spot unless it has already progressed to the point of discomfort or pain for your dog. You may see Italian Greyhounds exhibiting hind leg lameness, trying to kick in an attempt to “pop” the kneecap back into its normal place. You have to address this condition as soon as you can, as this can often progress to degenerative arthritis, which can be extremely painful to your dog. Your veterinarian may suggest surgery as treatment, as regular medical treatment may not be able to alleviate the situation.

Bone Concerns

These small dogs have tiny bones, making it easier for them to break, especially the front legs. Puppy Iggies are even more susceptible to this concern, so you should be watchful even when jumping down from the bed or couch to ensure they do not injure themselves.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Your IG may develop progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) later in life. If it develops earlier, it is called retinal dysplasia, where the retinal cells do not develop properly. PRA occurs with the degradation of the retina, which can lead to partial or complete vision loss. While the condition is not painful, it will be difficult for your dog to get used to blindness. It is not reversible, but you should still consult with your veterinarian to see ways in which you can manage the condition.

Preparing For The Cost Of Care

Even when your dog is healthy, caring for them can sometimes come with a hefty price tag. The best way to prepare for the cost of care is with a pet insurance plan from day one. Not sure how pet insurance works? Check out our article on whether pet insurance is worth it. In this article, our experts give you the lowdown on what’s covered and why the right plan can help you deal with the cost of caring for the pup you love while keeping you out of financial issues.

Nutrition

If you want your Italian Greyhound to be healthy throughout their life, you will need to give them a well-balanced diet. Good nutrition is the foundation of good health in every living being, and your Iggy is no exception. You must give your dog the right nourishment from small-breed-specific dog food to develop a healthy body and mind.

Puppyhood is the most important developmental stage of every dog’s life. When the adult and senior years come, the focus of nutrition will shift to maintaining their healthy body and overall vitality. You must give your dog food that is appropriate for their life stage no matter which point of life they may be in.

Your IG puppy will need nutrient-dense food to help them grow a healthy body and their portion sizes should change as they grow up. In adulthood, dogs will need more food portion-wise, though the food will not be as calorie-dense as it used to be. Senior dogs need less food than adult dogs but will need plenty of protein to keep their muscles strong.

Your veterinarian can help you decide on portion sizes to give your dog the amount of food they need throughout their life. Feeding your dog too much food can lead to obesity, which paves the way for plenty of preventable diseases.

Grooming

Unlike many other dogs, the Italian Greyhound is a remarkably light-shedding breed. There’s very little grooming required for the breed, but they need occasional brushing to keep their coats clean. A rubber bristle brush or grooming glove works well.

Italian Greyhounds need bathing but not very often, once every three or four months, unless they get dirty. If they need a bath, use a mild shampoo and warm water. Since Italian Greyhounds do not do well with the cold, it’s important that they are bathed with water that is a comfortable temperature. Rinse your dog well, leaving no soap residue behind. Otherwise, this may cause skin irritation. You can use a wet wipe between baths to remove any excess dirt.

Do your best to clean your IG’s ears regularly, as this helps to prevent infection. You can wipe away excess wax and debris with a cotton pad moistened with an ear-cleaning solution from your vet. We cover this in more detail in our dog ear cleaning guide.

Since they do a lot of running around, their nails may wear down on their own. If they do not, it’s a good idea to trim the nails at least once a month. This will help prevent splitting, cracking, and injury.

Lastly, because this breed is prone to bad dental health, be sure to take very good care of your Iggy’s teeth. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste meant specifically for dogs, and brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week. This will help their breath smell fresh and will remove tartar and plaque.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

Expect to pay around $1,400 to $3,000 for this prized pup, with show-quality dogs costing more.

Adopting an Italian Greyhound from a reputable source is one of the best ways to bring this fantastic dog into your life. However, you should always be careful and do your research because there are plenty of bad breeders out there.

Conversely, many breeders love and respect their IGs. You will easily see this if your breeder is enthusiastic about the breed and encourages you to see where the puppies are kept.

A reputable breeder will gladly answer any questions you may have about the breed and all of the important things you need to know about raising a new puppy. They will also have done the tests, deworming, and vaccinations necessary for a clean bill of health and will provide you with the necessary certification.

If you are looking to bring home an Italian Greyhound and need a resource for a good breeder, there are several different places to look. You can start by asking your veterinarian to see if they have any leads. You can also visit dog shows to get more information, especially from people who have their own beloved Iggies. This will also get you in touch with the local dog-lover community, which is always a good idea.

Rescues & Shelters

While adopting a dog from a reputable breeder is always a good idea, you may want to first look into adopting from shelters versus adopting from a breeder. It’s possible to find an Italian Greyhound among the dogs at a rescue, so don’t let this deter you. Many of the dogs who are up for adoption are older dogs or dogs with special needs. This makes them less adaptable than many other younger, “normal” dogs. Many only need love and care to return to living a happy life.

Remember that your Italian Greyhound is a very sensitive dog. This is doubly so if they are from a shelter. Be patient with your furry friend and allow them to get used to their new home in their own time. They are likely to be scared of being in a new environment and will thus be timid around the people and animals they have to get to know. This time is very stressful for them, so be sure to allow them to go at their own pace and simply love them as gently as possible. Treat them well, with kindness and respect, and they will be back to their old selves in no time at all.

Italian Greyhound 101

This five-minute video from Animal Planet gives you all the basics you need to know about the beautiful Italian Greyhound. You can also learn more in the Complete Guide To Italian Greyhounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve covered some of the most often-asked questions below about the Italian Greyhound breed. If I didn’t get to yours, or you have an Italian Greyhound story to share, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Are Italian Greyhounds Hypoallergenic?

Since IGs are light shedders and don’t drool much, they’re less likely to cause allergies. While no completely hypoallergenic dogs exist, you could consider the IG close to hypoallergenic. To learn more about which breeds can work for a family with allergies, check out our article on hypoallergenic dog breeds.

What’s The Difference Between The Italian Greyhound And The Greyhound?

One of the biggest differences between these breeds is size. Greyhounds are significantly larger than Italian Greyhounds and can reach over 100 pounds. IGs tend to have a bit more energy than the Greyhound, even though both thoroughly enjoy lounging. Training can be more difficult with IGs, and they tend to have more separation anxiety. Both dogs have beautiful short coats, are low shedders, and work well as part of a family.

What’s The Difference Between The Italian Greyhound And The Whippet?

Again, the most apparent difference between these two breeds is size. The IG is a toy breed, while the Whippet is a medium-sized breed that can be up to 40 pounds. Both breeds have a similar appearance and are calm and gentle and work well for families. The slightly larger Whippet will require more exercise and food, but both are medium-energy pups with short bursts of activity between their long lounging sessions. Learn more about these two breeds in our side-by-side comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Whippet.

What Are The Best Products For Italian Greyhounds?

Every dog owner wants to have the best gear for their sweet pup. But in this case, that can mean anything from the best collar for an Italian Greyhound to the best shampoo for an Italian Greyhound. Luckily for you, our experts take the time to review lots of different products to help you decide what’s right for your furry friend. We’ve got tips on all sorts of products, including the best boots and coats to keep your Italian Greyhound warm when the weather gets colder.

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Sadie Cornelius has more than two decades of dog care and ownership experience, specializing in the care and companionship of her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Over the years, she’s spent hours of extensive training, collaborating with multiple certified trainers across various settings, from in-home sessions to virtual private lessons to training academies and online courses. She uses positive reinforcement training to build a strong bond with her dogs, emphasizing encouragement and rewards for good behavior. Sadie’s dog suffers from separation anxiety and situational anxiety, as well as food allergies. She bathes and grooms her Cavalier regularly and loves traveling with her dog and taking her beloved fur-baby to dog parks, outdoor patios, and other dog-friendly bars and hang-out spots.