@bailey_the_iggy

Italian Greyhound

A Complete Breed Guide for Italian Greyhound dogs

LAST UPDATED September 2023

This article is written by Pet Circle's qualified veterinarian, Dr Kes Holliday, DVM, BSc.

The Italian Greyhound is a toy-sized dog with a big personality! With their sweet, affectionate nature, preference for indoor living and graceful appearance, the Italian Greyhound makes an excellent companion dog.

Contents:
At a glance
History
Personality
Nutrition
Common health problems
Behaviour
Related Breeds
Further reading

Top toy and lifestyle recommendations for Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhounds are an inquisitive and mischievous breed who love to play with toys well into their adult years. Having a sparse coat and hardly any body fat, clothes and a snuggly bed are a must to keep them warm!

Tuffy piglet

Plush toys are a guaranteed favourite of the Italian Greyhound - even better if they squeak!

Kong Classic

Food-dispensing toys provide mental stimulation for your intelligent Iggy and keep them out of mischief.

Fuzzyard Pyjamas

With a thin coat and minimal body fat, Italian Greyhounds really feel the cold. Keep your Iggy snuggly and stylish at the same time with these cute PJs!.

TS Pet Products Plush Canopy Bed

A warm cosy bed is an essential for any Iggy. That’s when they’re not in your bed of course!

Facts about the Italian Greyhound

Â	Â	Â
Breed size:	Place of origin:	Other names:
Toy	Mediterranean	Iggy
Breed group:	Energy level:	Weight range:
Sighthound	High	3 - 5 kg
Life expectancy:	Tendency to bark:	Height range:
12 - 15 years	Low - Moderate	33 - 38 cm at withers
Drool factor:	Social needs:	Coat length:
Low	High - Italian Greyhounds love to spend time with their close family	Short
Shedding factor:	Overall grooming needs:	Colours:
Low	Minimal coat care, require regular toothbrushing	Black, fawn, red, cream or blue. Can have white markings

How much do Italian greyhounds weigh?

Both male and female Italian Greyhounds weigh between 3.6 - 5 kgs. The height at the withers is between 32 - 38 cms.

How much does an Italian Greyhound cost?

A puppy from a registered breeder will cost approximately $2000.

How fast do Italian Greyhounds run?

True to their sighthound lineage, Italian Greyhounds can reach speeds up to 40 km/hour.

Are Italian Greyhounds good pets?

Italian Greyhounds make excellent companion and family pets. They are well suited to apartment living, as long as they are exercised regularly. Iggys need a moderate walk daily to keep their bodies and minds active.

Are Italian Greyhounds good with cats?

Italian Greyhounds can get along very well with cats in the same household. Some Italian Greyhounds may experience strong prey drive, however it is debatable whether they would consider a cat of the same size as them as prey. The best way to ensure success is to supervise interactions between your Italian Greyhound puppy and cat.

Do Italian Greyhounds bark?

Italian Greyhound are moderate barkers - they may bark to give warning to their owners, or simply to get your attention! Italian Greyhounds are not suited to being left alone for long periods, and may bark if they are experiencing separation anxiety.

How long do Italian Greyhounds live?

Italian Greyhounds live between 12 - 15 years with an average life expectancy of 14 years.

What colours do Italian greyhounds come in?

Italian Greyhounds can be black, fawn, red, cream or blue. They may have white markings with any of these colourings.

How do I know which Italian greyhound breeder to choose?

We recommend finding a reputable breeder of Italian Greyhounds.

Italian Greyhound History

The Italian Greyhound has an ancient lineage, believed to have been introduced to the Mediterranean region around 600 BC by the Romans. Mummified remains of hounds similar to the IG have been excavated from the tombs of the pharaohs in Egypt. Italian Greyhounds rose in popularity in southern Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Hounds like the Italian Greyhound were originally bred as hunting dogs, although became well-known as companion dogs with notable owners including Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria!

Today, Italian Greyhounds are popular apartment pets due to their affectionate nature, preference for indoor living and minimal grooming requirements.

Italian Greyhound Personality

@iggy_yes

Italian Greyhounds are an intelligent, gentle and affectionate breed. They have a tendency to closely bond with their family members and can be somewhat shy or aloof with strangers. Like other sighthounds, they have a very strong prey drive which can make recall training difficult.

Italian Greyhounds love basking in sunny spots or - even better - being snuggled under the blankets with you, making them the perfect companion dog. They don't tolerate cold or wet conditions and should not be left outdoors while you are not at home.

The Italian Greyhound gets on well with small dogs and can even make a good cat companion. Take care when introducing Italian Greyhounds to larger dogs, as rough play could result in injury.

Italian Greyhound Diet and Nutrition

Italian Greyhound puppies

As a toy breed dog with a small stomach and fast gut transit time, Italian Greyhounds need to be fed a diet that is both highly nutritious and digestible. Italian Greyhound puppies in particular need small, frequent meals - they may suffer from hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) if there is too long a gap between meals.

For more puppy tips, check out our New Puppy Guide.

It's very important that you feed your adult Italian greyhound a suitable diet that is age appropriate and meets all of their nutritional needs. Small Breed Adult Dog Food includes many recommended brands that have smaller kibble to suit small and toy breeds. They also contain balanced levels of protein, fat and carbohydrate plus vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for health and wellbeing. Adult Italian Greyhounds are prone to dental disease, therefore an oral care or veterinary dental diet may be best to help maintain clean teeth and healthy gums.

For more information, read through our guide to the Best food for Small Dogs.

Top food recommendations for adult Italian Greyhounds

We recommend the following diets for Italian Greyhounds as they are premium, science based brands with highly digestible and consistent ingredients.

Italian Greyhound Health Problems

Despite their small size, Italian Greyhounds are generally quite healthy and long-lived dogs. However, they can be prone to injuries, such as fractures, or diseases including dental disease, epilepsy, eye conditions and hypothyroidism. This breed also has a sensitivity to the chemical group called organophosphates. Some common health problems in the Italian Greyhound are:

Bone fractures

Growing Italian Greyhounds are prone to accidental bone fractures, most commonly in the lower forelimb (above the wrist). While any dog breed can break a leg, Italian Greyhounds are more susceptible due to aspects of their anatomy such as narrower bones.

Many of the factors predisposing dogs to fractures are inherited. Ensure to select a reputable breeder of Italian Greyhounds. Feed your Iggy pup a premium quality diet which has the correct balance of calcium and phosphorus to ensure strong and healthy bone development.

While it's impossible to stop your Italian Greyhound puppy jumping completely, try to minimise hazards around the home as much as possible. For instance, avoid letting other people or children pick up your puppy as your pup may choose to launch themselves from their arms, causing severe stress on the bones when landing. Keeping your Italian Greyhound in slim body condition throughout life will reduce the strain on their slender leg bones.

Dental Disease

Unfortunately Italian Greyhounds are very prone to developing dental disease. Dental disease starts with plaque build-up on the teeth, which eventually hardens to tartar (calculus) and causes gum inflammation (gingivitis). Not only is dental disease painful and unsightly, it's a risk factor for other conditions such as kidney and heart disease as the infection spreads throughout the body.

The number one way to prevent dental disease is by regular toothbrushing. Start a brushing regime when your Italian Greyhound is a puppy so they learn to tolerate it. Special dental diets and chews can be a helpful adjunct to brushing. Your vet can assess your Iggy's oral health during check ups and schedule a dental cleaning in the clinic when required.

For more information on dental home care, check out Dental care for dogs.

Diseases affecting the eyes

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when eyes have a cloudy appearance due to changes to the lens. Cataracts can lead to vision loss however they can be removed surgically.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a painful condition of the eye that causes rapid blindness when left untreated. Signs of glaucoma may include squinting, redness of the white part of the eye and increased tear production. Over time, the eye itself will look swollen. Glaucoma is a medical emergency, so don't hesitate to call your vet if you notice any of these signs in your dog.

Top health recommendations for Italian Greyhounds

The following products can assist with maintaining your dog's dental health, and keep them protected against nasty parasites.

Italian Greyhound Behaviour

@elietheitaliangrey

Early socialisation is important to ensure your Italian Greyhound becomes a happy, confident and well-rounded companion dog. This means safely introducing your puppy to a variety of people, pets and experiences. Having visitors to your house is a simple way to introduce your pup to new people.

Italian Greyhounds are an intelligent breed and can be easily trained. However, like all sighthounds, they have a "What's in it for me?" approach - so lots of praise and rewards are a must! Many owners report that Italian Greyhounds can be more difficult to house train compared to other dogs.

Italian Greyhounds were bred to have a strong prey drive and will readily drop everything to chase a rabbit, cat - or anything else furry or feathered! A secure yard with a high fence is a necessity, as is a leash when walking in a non-secured area. Have a look into fun lure coursing events which are a fabulous opportunity for your Iggy to chase to their heart's content!

Italian Greyhounds adore being with their family. This means they can sometimes develop behavioural problems such as separation anxiety if left to their own devices.

Related Breeds

Greyhounds

While much larger than their Italian cousins, Greyhounds are relatively low-maintenance pets and can also be suited to apartment living. There are many ex-racing greyhounds in need of adoption into a fur-ever home! Take a look at our Greyhound Breed Guide for facts and care tips about this beautiful breed.

Whippets

Whippets share many temperament traits with the Italian Greyhound and are a wonderful option for pet owners seeking a medium sized hound. Check out our Whippet Breed Guide for more information.

Further Reading

Complete Beginner's Guide To Puppy Care

How To Spot A Good Pet Food

How to Toilet Train Your Puppy

Managing Separation Anxiety in Pets

How to Make Pet Dental Care Easier

Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.