Breed Profile: Italian Greyhound

Italian greyhounds are believed to have originated more than 2,000 years ago. They may have been the first breed of dog bred exclusively as a pet, though they also were used by some to course small vermin (pursue game by sight for sport). Remains of miniature greyhound skeletons have been discovered throughout the Mediterranean basin, as well as in the tombs of ancient Egypt, but the true Italian greyhound was likely developed in what is now Greece and Turkey. In the 16th century, an influx of miniature greyhounds became available in southern Europe, and the Italians embraced the breed because of its beauty, small size, and loyalty. The Italian greyhound earned his name not because he originated from Italy but because of his association with Italian art during the Renaissance—the breed was a common subject of paintings and sculptures from that time period.

The Italian greyhound was a favorite pet among Europe’s most prominent and privileged figures, including Frederick the Great, Queen Victoria, King Charles VII, and Catherine the Great. The breed was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1886 but was initially unpopular in both America and England and even faced extinction following World War II. In recent years, however, this lap dog has enjoyed a resurgence and is more popular than ever before.

The following description is of an “ideal” Italian greyhound. Not all Italian greyhounds will fit the description exactly, but that’s not an issue unless you want one who can participate in dog shows.

The Italian greyhound (“Iggy” to his loyalists) is intelligent, affectionate, and loyal to his owner. He is highly energetic, loves having people and other animals around to play with, and is clean, fairly quiet, and easy to care for.

Here are some traits to consider when determining how well an Italian greyhound is going to fit in with you and your family.

Italian greyhounds become so attached to their owners that it isn’t uncommon for them to become one-person or one-family dogs, forever dedicated to their humans. However, they also love having the company of other playmates—human or canine, but especially other Italian greyhounds. They are not as delicate as some of the other smaller breeds and do not need to be pampered or babied, making them suitable companions for children as long as the children are instructed on the proper way to care for and interact with a dog.

The Italian greyhound’s small size makes him an excellent dog for almost every different type of living condition. He can be trained to use a litter box, making him particularly well-suited for an apartment or condo setting, but he also can be perfectly happy wandering on a large farm or field. The Italian greyhound is not well-suited for colder climates, however, and should have a coat or sweater to wear if going outdoors in cold weather for any length of time. This breed gets along well with other dogs, particularly other Italian greyhounds, and can make a welcome addition to multi-pet families. He also can serve as an excellent watchdog: his bark is much deeper than one would expect from a small dog, and he often will bark to alert his owners of anything unusual—a trait that may be problematic for people living in close proximity to their neighbors.

Italian greyhounds are small enough that they can receive much of their needed exercise simply by playing with and following their owners around the house. However, brisk walks outdoors during the day are beneficial for this breed. A fenced yard or other enclosed space that allows them freedom to romp outside is ideal but not necessary.

An Italian greyhound is a very intelligent dog who takes well to obedience training but can easily lose interest in the training process. He can be difficult to housetrain as well. However, with the use of short, entertaining, and positive training sessions, an Italian greyhound can and should learn basic obedience and canine manners. His great speed also makes him well suited to agility training and competition.