Italian Greyhound: breed overview
Elegant and graceful, Italian Greyhounds are considered to be a noble dog breed with a rich history that can be traced back to ancient Egypt. They are loving and affectionate dogs that are able to form strong bonds with families and be loyal canine companions. With a variation of black, blue, grey, fawn, red, sable, tan and cream, Italian Greyhounds colours look smart and sleek, and since their coat is short and smooth it requires minimal grooming, which is ideal for first-time dog owners. An Italian Greyhound’s lifespan ranges between 13-15 years, and generally are healthy dogs. In this article, we talk all about this dog breed so you can decide whether an Italian Greyhound is right for you, your home and your family. Here’s a summary of what we cover:
Thinking about adopting an Italian Greyhound?
What makes Italian Greyhounds unique?
Grooming and hygiene needs
Behaviour and training needs
Do Italian Greyhounds bark a lot?
Mental and physical stimulation
Do Italian Greyhounds like to cuddle?
Can Italian Greyhounds be left alone?
Nutritional requirements
Do Italian Greyhounds make good family pets?
Finding a responsible breeder
Thinking about adopting an Italian Greyhound? Check your local shelter first!
When thinking about bringing an Italian Greyhound home, you may want to check your local shelter first for a dog in need. An astounding 2.7 million animals go through the UK animal shelter each year, and 664,000 of these are dogs. There are many advantages to adopting a dog, including less stray dogs on the street which reduces the pressure on animal shelters. It’s also helpful to adopt a dog if you’re a first-time owner, since dogs in shelters are usually already spayed/neutered, vaccinated and trained on basics.
Italian Greyhounds are gorgeous dogs, but there is something special about mixed-breed dogs. Given the variation of their physical traits, along with their mixed characteristics, mixed-breed dogs are unique, well-rounded and adaptable pets. Not only is adopting a dog a rewarding experience, it’s a chance to give a dog a loving home that they deserve. Find out more about Dog Adoption.
What makes Italian Greyhounds unique?
Italian Greyhounds have distinctive characteristics that set them apart from other dog breeds. With a muscular yet slender build, Italian Greyhounds are both elegant and graceful yet athletic and agile, which makes them a unique breed. Since they belong to the sighthounds family, they are remarkably fast and intelligent. Their ability to learn quickly means they are easily trainable and therefore adaptable to different environments. They also make great companions, developing strong bonds with family members and enjoying affection and attention.
With a short and fine coat, Italian Greyhounds require minimal grooming which is another reason why they are considered a low maintenance dog. Italian Greyhound colours include black, blue, fawn, red and cream, and sometimes with white markings, so there are many variations. Generally, an Italian Greyhound’s size is considered to be small-to-medium, which makes them suitable for apartments or smaller houses.
Italian Greyhounds have a rich history that can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Dogs with similar appearances were depicted on the tomb walls even as far as 4000 BC. They then appeared in the Middle East and Europe, before eventually developing into the breed we know today in England. Italian Greyhounds were selectively bred for hunting game, including deers and hares, as well as for racing given their desirable characteristics. In terms of other breeds, they are considered similar to Greyhounds, Whippets and Chihuahuas.
An Italian Greyhound’s grooming and hygiene needs
As discussed, Italian Greyhounds have a short and smooth coat that is easy to care for compared to some dog breeds, since they are less prone to matting or tangling. However, it is important that dog parents regularly groom their Italian Greyhound to remove loose hairs and distribute oils so their skin remains moisturised. In terms of bathing, it depends on how active your dog is, but a bath once a month should suffice without the risk of over-bathing, which can strip essential oils and lead to dry skin. Like all dogs, Italian Greyhounds benefit from general hygiene such as nail clipping, ear cleaning and dental care for their overall health. For a better estimation of costs, check out our article on how much for dog grooming.
An Italian Greyhound’s behaviour and training needs
An Italian Greyhound’s temperament is gentle and affectionate, which is why they make good family dogs and are great around children. However, since they form such strong bonds with their human companions, it is possible for Italian Greyhounds to experience separation anxiety. It’s important to practise gradual desensitisation when leaving and to not leave them alone for long periods of time.
Since they are sensitive dogs, positive reinforcement training works best for an Italian Greyhound. Be sure to use adult dog treats, as well as praise, to reinforce desired behaviours. It’s important not to use punishment as a training method as this can cause anxiety. This dog breed also benefits from a consistent routine to help them with house training. Lead training will help for your daily walks, as their instincts as a hound can lead to them chasing moving objects. In general, an Italian Greyhound’s temperament is receptive to dog training.
Do Italian Greyhounds bark a lot?
(PAA Q) Italian Greyhounds don’t tend to bark a lot, given their calm and gentle nature. However, if their individual needs are not met in terms of physical and mental stimulation, it can lead to barking out of boredom or loneliness. It’s important to create a thriving environment for any dog breed.
An Italian Greyhound’s mental and physical stimulation
Since Italian Greyhounds are both agile and intelligent, they benefit from mental and physical stimulation. It’s important that dog parents meet the needs of their Italian Greyhound for their overall well-being. In terms of mental stimulation, you can satisfy your dog’s curiosity and prevent any anxiety with puzzle toys and interactive games. Of course, Italian Greyhounds also enjoy learning, so be consistent with training sessions - but keep them short so they don’t get overwhelmed.
Although Italian Greyhounds aren’t bursting with energy like some dog breeds, their athletic nature means they appreciate regular physical exercise. Daily walks are beneficial to maintain a healthy weight for these dogs, and games such as fetch will ensure they get a good run around and show off their speed. This will also strengthen the bond between you both.
As is common with dogs who don’t receive enough stimulation, your Italian Greyhound may exhibit undesirable behaviours due to boredom. This can lead to chewing, digging or excessive barking, and can negatively impact their mental health and cause stress or anxiety. They also need regular exercise to prevent weight gain, which could otherwise lead to other health issues such as joint problems. Make sure you can meet the mental and physical needs of an Italian Greyhound before taking them home.
Do Italian Greyhounds like to cuddle?
(PAA Q) An Italian Greyhound’s temperament is loving and affectionate, which is why they most definitely like to cuddle. Since they are not a high-energy dog breed, they are happy to often be at home cuddling with their owners. In fact, this creates a harmonious relationship between you and your canine friend. Just make sure they are getting regular physical exercise too.
Can Italian Greyhounds be left alone?
(PAA Q) While you can leave an Italian Greyhound alone for some time, it’s best not to leave this dog breed alone for too long. Since they are particularly sensitive, they can experience separation anxiety. Italian Greyhounds enjoy companionship, and it’s important to meet these needs for their overall health. Learn more about how long you can leave a dog alone.
An Italian Greyhound’s nutritional requirements
To support an Italian Greyhound’s lifespan, it’s important to provide essential nutrition through a complete and balanced diet of high-quality dog food. Dogs need proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals for their overall health. For Italian Greyhounds, protein supports their muscular build, carbohydrates provide energy and fats support their skin and coat health. In addition, vitamins and minerals are important for bone health, physiological functions and general growth, which is why Pedigree® Multivitamins are beneficial for all dog breeds.
Do Italian Greyhounds make good family pets?
Italian Greyhounds are most definitely considered to be one of the best family dog breeds. Since the temperament of an Italian Greyhound is gentle, they are good with children, as long as they’re handled with care and under parental supervision. Loving and affectionate, this dog breed values companionship and can form strong bonds with their families. Italian Greyhounds can also build relationships with other family pets, as long as they have had proper socialisation training.
Since the Italian Greyhound’s size is small to medium and with their ability to be highly-adaptable, they can thrive in different living environments and can live in smaller homes or even apartments, and they are content to spend a lot of time relaxing indoors. However, it is important that they receive regular physical exercise, and the opportunity to run around in a secure area.
Italian Greyhound breeding and finding a responsible breeder
When looking for an Italian Greyhound, it’s important to find an ethical breeder to ensure they have been responsibly bred. Ethical breeders would prioritise the welfare of their animals, including having them checked by a vet for genetic conditions through a health screening. It’s also important that Italian Greyhounds are exposed to different environments and experiences for proper socialisation and increased adaptability.
If you’re selecting an Italian Greyhound puppy, make sure to ask for their health records, as well as that of the parents, so you can see if they are vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms. It’s helpful to observe your puppy in its environment, which should be clean, in order to see if they are relaxed, curious and playful with their surroundings as they should be. It’s important that a puppy is kept with its mother for their health and well-being until at least 8 weeks of age, which is why new owners should also meet the mother beforehand.
Reputable breeders can be found from personal recommendations, online breeding communities, or even veterinarians. Most breeders will allow you to visit the dog prior to purchasing, address any questions you may have and provide guidance on the needs of your desired dog. We’ve created an article on how to find a good dog breeder.
Italian Greyhounds are an exquisite dog breed, with an elegance and athleticism that is unmatched. However, depending on your preference, you can always use our Breed Finder to see which other dogs would suit you best. If you have plenty of love to give, you may want to consider adopting a dog instead to provide them with the companionship they are longing for.
