Italian Greyhound Breed Guide: Temperament, Care and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

The Italian Greyhound is a greyhound in miniature: slender, elegant and fast. At home it behaves like a velvet cushion with legs, snuggling under blankets, but outdoors it can explode into a sprint that surprises owners.

Origins and appearance

Small greyhound-type dogs appear in ancient art around the Mediterranean, and the breed became fashionable with Italian and European nobility during the Renaissance. Today's Italian Greyhound is lean and deep-chested, with a narrow head, rose-shaped ears, a long neck and a high-stepping gait. The coat is short and fine in colors such as fawn, red, blue, black and cream.

Temperament

These dogs are affectionate, sensitive and loyal. They bond closely with their family, often seeking warmth in laps and beds. Many are reserved with strangers. They can be shy if poorly socialized, and they startle at noise and rough handling. They tend to get along with other dogs, particularly other sighthounds, but their chase instinct means small animals may be at risk.

Exercise

Italian Greyhounds need daily walks and the chance to run safely. A fully fenced yard or secure area is ideal. Short bursts of high speed followed by long naps suit them. Keep them leashed elsewhere, since recall is unreliable once they spot a squirrel. See recall training guide.

Training

The breed is clever but sensitive and can be stubborn. Gentle, reward-based training works well, and harsh corrections lead to shutdown. House training is a recognized challenge, because many dislike cold, wet ground and have small bladders. Use a pen, a warm sheltered potty spot and an indoor option if needed. Clicker training and food rewards suit them.

Coat and grooming

The coat is the easiest in the toy group: a weekly rub with a soft brush or hound glove keeps it tidy. See short coat dog grooming guide. Bathe occasionally, trim nails and brush teeth frequently, since dental disease is common. Provide sweaters and coats in cool weather.

Health considerations

Topics frequently discussed include:

• Leg fractures, particularly in puppies, from jumping or falling. See dog first aid kit
• Dental disease. See dental disease in dogs
• Luxating patella. See luxating patella in dogs
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts
• Sensitivity to anesthesia, due to low body fat
• Autoimmune and skin conditions, including color dilution alopecia in some dogs

Living with an Italian Greyhound

They fit apartments and houses that are warm and soft. Provide blankets, a heated bed or snuggle sacks, and ramps for furniture. Keep gates closed and doors secure to prevent dashing out. Skiing on slippery floors can injure them, so lay rugs.

Common owner mistakes

The usual mistakes are allowing high jumps, leaving a dog off leash, using a collar rather than a harness for a slim neck, and underestimating cold sensitivity. Dental care is often neglected, and so is house-training patience. Keep a lean but not skinny shape, as ribs should be visible but covered.

Questions to ask a breeder or rescue

Ask about leg fracture history in the line, dental health, eye tests and patella checks. Ask how puppies are raised to cope with noise and handling. Ask about the breeder's policy on taking dogs back, and whether puppies have been introduced to harnesses and indoor toilets.

Is it the right breed for you?

An Italian Greyhound suits people wanting a gentle, quiet, low-grooming companion who will cuddle and run. It may not suit homes with young children or someone who cannot supervise safely around fences. For a larger sighthound, see the Whippet.

The takeaway

Italian Greyhounds are graceful, sensitive and fragile, and they need warmth, safe fencing and patient training.