Italian Greyhounds

Watch Dogs-Italian Greyhounds make keen watch dogs! They aren't normally yappy. If your IG (iggy to Italian Greyhound lovers) is barking, there's probably a pretty good reason.

Size- This dog stands about 12-15" high at the shoulders and will generally grow to around 6-10 pounds, but can get bigger, depending. Despite their small size, they're not great pets for apartment dwellers unless daily exercise can be provided.

Friendly- Italian Greyhounds possess their very own gentle and affectionate temperament. They're loving dogs in family life and enjoy the company of people, however, this dog needs to be socialized well as a puppy to help alleviate shyness.

Trainability- They are quick learners who want to please, but possess the intelligence to question what you're teaching and might wonder what's in it for them. Patience, praise and treats will go a long way. Learn all the tricks and some great training techniques by clicking here.

Loyalty-Italian Greyhounds are faithful, affectionate and loyal companions. They love to be in close proximity of their owners, but they're not overly clingy. Iggies possess the rare quality of being affectionate while still maintaining some independence.

Non Shedding- We have included Italian Greyhounds on our non-shedding small-breed-dogs page. Anyone with allegies to dander should first test their tolerance before making a commitment to own this breed. Their unique coat, though it doesn't shed, also does not provide any protection from the elements. Italian Greyhounds are very sensitive to cold and may need a sweater for warmth and comfort and a coat when taken on short walks in the winter.

Italian Greyhounds make great companions and typically love the company of people. They even do great with well behaved children... but you have to be honest with yourself. If your child is not the most gentle, this is probably not the breed for you until your child gets a bit older. This small breed dog is very fragile and spindly and can not tolerate rough play or being handled or carried akwardly.

Housebreaking Difficulties- Small Breed Dogs are generally the hardest dogs to housebreak and Italian Greyhounds are not an exception to this rule. You'll need to be very patient and consistent. I highly recommend these positive training techniques.

Separation Anxiety- is common with this breed. He will often show frustration by destructive chewing and barking or by hiking his leg on your potted houseplant. Click here to learn how you can stop these behaviors.

A 15+ Year Commitment-Buying or adopting a dog is a commitment to take care of him for his entire lifetime. If you're planning a move or a career or lifestyle change or if you're unsure of your financial ability to feed, vet, groom, house or properly care for another living creature, do the responsible thing (for yourself and the dog) and wait until you're ready.

Disregarding the hype- There is technically no such thing as a ‘tea cup’ Italian Greyhound. This is an invented term used to market tiny dogs and sell them for ridiculous prices.

High Speed- Being in the business of dogs, I notice this breed way too often in the "Lost" sections of classifieds and online Canine Amber Alerts. They are super fast and their shy personalities around strangers could send them bolting, never to be seen again. And all too often, that is the case. Never walk without a leash.

-Health Issues-

The most common and serious problem among Italian Greyhounds is dental related. Most IG's will develop severe periodontal disease at a relatively early age, so proper and preventative oral care is extremely important.

Idiopathic Epilepsy- Idiopathic epilepsy is a specific term referring to a seizure disorder that has no identifiable cause and IG's are unfortunately genetically prone to this disorder.

Color dilute alopecia (CDA) is also known as color mutant alopecia, blue Doberman syndrome or blue balding. Alopecia (hair loss) affects the colored areas of hair on dogs that have dilute coats. Dilute colors can include blue, blue-fawn, fawn, etc. The hair loss usually starts in the dorsal stripe (middle of the back) and spreads to include most of the body.

Patellar Luxation-A joint condition in which kneecaps dislocate. This is very painful for your dog and expensive to correct. This is a common complication among many small breed dogs.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome- A disease seen in varying degrees in many small breed dogs. It's degenerative and leads to bone loss and collapse of the hip joint which is obviously painful. Early treatment can help to prevent degenerative arthritis.

Hypothyroidism is a condition of the thyroid gland seen often in IG's. It can cause weight gain, hair loss and scaly skin.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a condition affecting the eyes of many Iggies. Often called night-blindness, it becomes far more serious as the disease progresses.

Leg Fractures are common in Iggies. They younger the dog, the more true this becomes. This dog is super fast and very athletic and agile. Please take our advice about the pet steps seriously to help cut down on the risk of accidents. Hard, slippery floors are not the most ideal for this fearless little dog.

The site is intended to be used as a guide and is for information purposes. In no way should you use it to replace the advice of a veterinarian. It's important to educate yourself and ask questions of your breeder about their testing practices and health guarantees before you purchase a puppy which can help you to avoid some of the above health concerns.

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