Sweet, lively and very attached to its people, the Italian Greyhound loves to curl up close and often follows its owner from room to room. The FCI standard describes it as lively, affectionate and docile. It is clever and playful at home but can be sensitive and a little reserved with strangers. It responds best to gentle, reward-based training, and like other sighthounds it may give chase to small moving animals.1483
Coat and looks how to spot one
Short, fine, glossy single coat
A true sighthound shrunk to toy size: fine-boned and slender, with a long neck, a small narrow head, a deep chest and a strongly tucked-up belly, all fitting roughly into a square outline. The coat is very short, soft and satin-like with no fringes, lying over thin, close-fitting skin. It moves with a springy, high-stepping trot and can switch into a fast gallop.1465
Coloursblackgrey / blueisabella (fawn to cream) in all shadesredsablewhite or pied (accepted by some registries such as UKC and The Royal Kennel Club)white on chest and feet (FCI)145
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for an Italian Greyhound. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
Ear checkevery 2 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
ExerciseAbout 60 minutes a dayevery day
Cold care winterA jumper or coat on cold walksevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. The Royal Kennel Club suggests up to an hour of exercise a day; a daily walk plus play usually suits it. It enjoys short bursts of running in a safely fenced area and can reach high speeds, so off-lead running is best kept to secure spaces.536
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Very easy coat care: a weekly wipe or soft brush, occasional baths, regular nail trims and routine ear and tooth care. With its thin coat and lean body it feels the cold, so a sweater or coat is useful in chilly or wet weather.53
Home where they are happiest
Adapts well to smaller homes and flats. A small to medium, securely fenced garden is enough. Needs a warm indoor space and soft bedding, and benefits from a coat outdoors in cold climates.53
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete, good-quality small-breed dog food. Adults do well on two meals a day and puppies on three, with small portions (roughly half to one cup a day for an adult, depending on food and activity). Keep an eye on body condition to keep it lean.3
Company who they like around
A people-focused companion that likes to be with its family most of the day and seeks plenty of attention and cuddles. Best with adults or older, calm children who handle it gently. Often enjoys the company of another Italian Greyhound or similar dog.34
The story where it all began
The Italian Greyhound comes from small sighthounds that already lived in ancient Egypt and around the Mediterranean, and dogs of this type reached the Italian peninsula around the 5th century BC. The Romans kept them as house companions, and remains of small sighthounds have been found in Pompeii, buried in AD 79. The breed reached a high point during the Italian Renaissance, when noble families such as the Medici, Visconti and d'Este kept them and painters including Giotto and Tiepolo put them in their work. From Italy the dogs spread to royal courts across Europe, owned by Anne of Denmark, Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria. In Britain, 40 were listed in the first Kennel Club Stud Book of 1874, and a breed club followed in 1900. The two World Wars left numbers in Europe very low, and breeders in Italy and elsewhere rebuilt the breed with imported dogs from the 1950s. The FCI accepted it in 1956, and today it is kept mainly as a companion.1462
Despite its tiny size it can sprint at speeds of up to about 60 km/h (35 mph).6
3
Remains of small sighthounds of this type have been found in Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.2
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Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria all kept Italian Greyhounds.2
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Renaissance artists such as Giotto, Carpaccio, Memling and Bosch painted these little hounds.2
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One of the first written descriptions of the breed appears in Francesco Birago's hunting treatise of 1626.2
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The very first Kennel Club Stud Book in Britain, published in 1874, already listed forty Italian Greyhounds.6
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The FCI standard's official use for the breed is 'racing dog'.1
Where the name comes from the story behind it
The breed was refined in Italy during the Renaissance and given the name Piccolo Levriero Italiano, or 'small Italian Greyhound,' in the 16th century, leading to the common name Italian Greyhound.9
Famous ones stars of the breed
Ch. Dasa's King of the Mountain (King) A famous show sire born in 1978 whose genetics are present in virtually all contemporary Italian Greyhounds in the USA, with 18% of the genome of modern American IGs shared with him.10
I wake up snuggled under the blanket, my human's hand resting on my back. After breakfast, I follow them from room to room, my nails click-clacking on the floor. In the garden, I spot a leaf blowing in the wind, zoom! I chase it at full speed, my legs a blur. We play fetch with my squeaky toy, and I always bring it back. After lunch, I curl up on the sofa for a nap, soaking up the sunbeam. When my human watches TV, I'm right there on their lap. Evening walk is my favorite: I trot proudly, tail high. Back home, I burrow under the blanket again, dreaming of tomorrow's adventures.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Recognised by the official bits
FCI
Standard No. 200 (Piccolo Levriero Italiano / Italian Sighthound), Group 10 (Sighthounds), Section 3 (Short-haired Sighthounds); definitive acceptance 22 Oct 1956; current standard published 13 Nov 2015; no working trial7
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Italian Greyhound, and at what times?
Feed your Italian Greyhound two meals a day for an adult, and three smaller meals for a puppy. A good routine is morning and evening, with portions roughly half to one cup daily depending on food and activity. Always check the food label and ask your vet for exact amounts.312
What should an Italian Greyhound eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A complete, good-quality small-breed dog food is best. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol, onion, garlic, and chives, which are especially risky for dogs. Never give alcohol, yeast dough, or raw bones.313
How often should I bathe an Italian Greyhound?
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, and the ASPCA recommends at least once every three months. Bathe more often if your dog gets very dirty or has skin issues, but use a gentle dog shampoo.14Pet Wiki plan
How often does an Italian Greyhound need brushing?
Brush your Italian Greyhound once a week with a soft brush or wipe, as its short, fine coat is very easy to care for. This keeps it glossy and removes loose hair.53Pet Wiki plan
How do I trim an Italian Greyhound's nails, and how often?
Trim nails every 3 weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part inside), and use a proper dog nail trimmer.14Pet Wiki plan
How much exercise does an Italian Greyhound need?
Your Italian Greyhound needs about an hour of exercise daily, including a walk and play. It loves short bursts of running in a securely fenced area, but always keep it on a lead or in a safe space due to its high speed.536Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after an Italian Greyhound's teeth and ears?
Brush its teeth daily with dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste) and check ears every two weeks, wiping gently with a vet-recommended cleaner. Never push anything into the ear canal.14Pet Wiki plan
How long does an Italian Greyhound live?
Italian Greyhounds typically live between 12 and 15 years. With good care, regular vet check-ups, and a healthy lifestyle, they can enjoy a long, happy life.536
Is an Italian Greyhound good with children and other pets?
Italian Greyhounds are best with older, calm children who handle them gently, as they are sensitive and fine-boned. They often enjoy the company of another Italian Greyhound or similar dog, but may chase small animals due to their sighthound instincts.34
Can an Italian Greyhound be left alone?
Italian Greyhounds are very attached to their people and prefer not to be left alone for long periods. They can be left for short times if gradually trained, but they thrive with company and may become anxious if isolated.34
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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