gymnastic . Regal . Suuuuuper tiny . Welcome to the wonderful human race of the Italian greyhound .
For centuries , the Italian greyhound has been the clobber of royalty . All throughout Europe and western Asia , these midget sighthounds have been prized fortheir low height , playful attitudes , and artistry as open field Hunter .
The other matter kings and queens of old know well : These picayune dogs make incrediblydelightful sept pets . Their loving nature and modest size make them idealistic lapdogs , as well as make themwell - suited for apartment livingand for families with smaller houses or yards .
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Appearance
prize for their modest sizing , Italian greyhounds top out at a hair’s-breadth over 1 foot grandiloquent and count less than a distinctive bowling ball . Size away , they await — as one might expect — precisely likegreyhounds : gun barrel chests down to slim , concave stomach , and a slender , graceful neck tapering into an angulate , aerodynamic head and schnoz . Much like their larger cousins , there is small mistaking the original purpose of these little dynamos : straight , uncut speed .
Their pelt comes in avery inadequate single coatthat can be found in a multitude of colors : hoar , yellow , ruby-red , fawn , black , or blue . Bicolors go on as well , usually a gloomy color with white , or as a fawn and blue or fateful and gamey combination . Their centre are enceinte and watchful , a will to their " sighthound " classification . These little guys are always on the lookout for little game and ready to give chase at the slightest provocation .
Italian greyhound are also commonly confuse with another sighthound : thewhippet . But , as member of the hound group , whippets are much large ( ranging 25–40 pound ) than thistoy breedthat top out at 14 pounds .
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Temperament
Italian greyhounds are bright little pawl , but they also add up equipped with somewhat sore emotional dispositions , according to theItalian Greyhound Club of America ( IGCA ) . As such , these click reply exceedingly well topositive reinforcement , andtreats are always appreciated .
Because of their emotional nature , these are not dogs who do very well when left alone for long period of time . If they are the only creature in the menage and you ’re become to be gone for more than a couple hours at a prison term , detachment anxiety is a fear , which can lead inpanic barking , manduction , or nervous wetting . Luckily , Italian greyhound do unusually well with other dogs , so if there is a fellow traveller in the mansion , everything should be wine and blush wine . But for single - wienerwurst habitation , a lot of it will follow down to conditioning .
" Kennel trainingis so significant , especially with puppy , " tell Michelle Beck , DVM , CCRT , CVA - Veterinarian , with theBacklund Animal Clinicin Omaha , Neb. " The kennel is not a spot for penalization ; it ’s for security . So working with them to see that doghouse as a secure spot . Then establish up that familiarity with the dog house so they do n’t get upset when you walk by . "
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Italian greyhounds arehunting wienerwurst at their heart , and come hallow withincrediblyhigh target drives . If something their sizing or smaller makes any sudden moves , itwillget dog . For this reason , cats as roommatesare almost certainly expire to be a non - newbie for most Italian greyhound , even withearly socialisation , as it ’s just going to be too easy for them to set off that chase inherent aptitude .
Also , yards without a fencing or walks without a leash are strongly advised against , because this puppy is a heel who ’s going to take off after every squirrel it take care . And once she gets a head of steam up ( which happensveryquickly ) , you ’re not going to be able to take in up to her again until she stop .
Italian greyhounds are fairlyeasy to trainand enjoy get wind tricks or going on runs with you , but because of that high born high-pitched prey driving force , they make poor choices foragilityorflyball competitionsbecause of their high potential for misdirection . However , entice competitionswere literallymadefor sighthounds and , even better , command no breeding on your part . Just find a rival and let nature take its course .
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" It ’s a great bonding body process , and it ’s genial stimulation for dogs , " Beck says .
Living Needs
These dogs are so easy ! Italian greyhounds are an excellent choice for thefirst - time or beginner ownerbecause they have so few demands that ca n’t be met with a fiddling spare time and some making love . They’reexcellent for small tiddler , and while they are capable of beingathletic dogs , they are humble enough to be able to get all their exercise needs match on the living way base , which means that even senior can keep them active relatively easily .
" What ’s interesting about the Italian greyhound is that we conceive of them as these athletes , " Beck says . " But they ’re sprinter . So they ’re alive for very short periods of time , but otherwise , they ’re work-shy . So if you ’re look for an active - all - the - time frump , that ’s in all probability not the correct dog for you , because they ’re sprinters and not endurance runners . "
Again , if you ’re go to have your Italian greyhound in the yard , a inviolable fenceor leash is going to be imperative , because they will take off after anything that catch their eye .
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Their small size and short unmarried coat do mean that if you live on in a colder clime , you ’re live on to have to take some extra precautions with them in the winter . Say hello to Instagram - worthy tinydog clothesand boots ! They will , however , do well in warmer weatherif you keep any outdoor exercise limited to the morning or evening ( when the sun is n’t quite as hot ) to preventheat exhaustion .
Care
Once again , this is an area where the Italian greyhound smooth for new owners and the great unwashed living in small spaces . The Italian greyhound is a wonderfully low - maintenance dog : Bathswill really only have to happen if they get something on their pelt you ca n’t justbrush out . Their short coats give ear on to very piffling , which not only sustain them clean but also mean they do n’t tend to germinate any odors along the way .
Their nails will produce relatively speedily , so you ’ll probably have tocut or file themdown once or twice a month , and you ’ll want tokeep their teeth cleanas well . The IGCArecommends daily teeth brushing .
Health
There ’s some good news show here , too : Italian greyhounds are verylong - lived little dog-iron , normally living between 13–15 years . They also , according to a2010 studyby the Orthopedic Foundation for brute , have the lowest incidence ofhip dysplasiaamong the ( then ) 157 strain recognized by the American Kennel Club .
The stock can have issue with autoimmune problems , Legg - Calve - Perthes disease , andhypothyroidism . And , even though they are tough little dogs , broken legs can be a problem for the slender breed if they ’re permit to jump from too high of a height , or if they trip on uneven terrain at full speed .
Additionally , the Italian greyhound can have a propensity forputting on weight , especially as she gets sr. , or if her activity needs are n’t being met . Talk to your veterinarian about how you cankeep your domestic dog ’s exercising weight under controlwithproper nutritionand exercise .
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History
Italian greyhounds have been around for for a while . Archeological work has chance evidence of them having been bred during the Roman empire , 2,000 years ago , accord to theItalian Greyhound Club . They stay a pop dog in Greece and Turkey for centuries but really make headway European attention during the Renaissance .
Throughout the 16th and seventeenth centuries , Italian greyhound held sway in royal courts across Europe and western Asia , and were feature in a numeral of painting by Renaissance masters .
The Kennel Club record the Italian greyhound in 1875 and the AKC followed suit in 1886 , making it one of the first stock for both system . In the twentieth century , the Italian greyhound suffered the effects of the World Wars as mightily as most every other dog of European origin . After both wars , it fell to American breeder to keep the stock alive and grow .
