The Italian Greyhound, Elegant and Swift What Makes This Breed Special

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Italian Greyhounds photo
Small Breed X-Small Breed Patella Luxation Epilepsy Italian Greyhound

Is The Italian Greyhound Right For You?

  • 1 Italian Greyhounds are known for their quiet and loving temperament.
  • 2 Italian Greyhounds are great with children, but care must be taken to avoid rough-housing.
  • 3 Italian Greyhounds need consistent, gentle training to avoid becoming shy or submissive.
  • 4 They are good with cats and other small dogs.

HISTORY

Thought to be around 6,000 years old, the Italian Greyhound has been found mummified in ancient Egyptian tombs. Thought to hail from somewhere in the Mediterranean, the Italian Greyhound was used extensively for hunting, as well as a companion. They earned their name during the Middle Ages when they made their way over to Italy, where they became very popular. They were recognized by the AKC in 1886.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Toy/Small

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    Lifespan

    12 - 15 years

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    Hair Length

    Short

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    Male Height

    12 -1 5 inches (30 - 38 cm.)

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    Male Weight

    6 - 10 pounds (3 - 5 kg.)

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    Female Height

    12 -1 5 inches (30 - 38 cm.)

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    Female Weight

    6 - 10 pounds (3 - 5 kg.)

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    Litter Size

    4 - 8 puppies, average 6 puppies

Personality

The Italian Greyhound is a calm, timid breed that lives only to please their master. They are great with kids, but need to be watched, as rough handling could result in serious injuries to the dog. They are smart dogs that can be trained easily, however the training needs to be calm and reserved, otherwise they may get overly nervous. Thanks to their meek temperament, they require a calm, subdued living environment, or constant reassurance that everything is alright. .

Color

The Italian Greyhound can be solid grey, slate grey, cream, red, fawn, black, blue, speckled, with white markings, and (occasionally) flecked.

Health Concerns

While the Italian Greyhound looks really delicate, they are hardier than they appear. The health concerns observed in this breed are:

Appearance

A slight, almost wispy breed, the Italian Greyhound looks, in most ways, like a miniature version of their larger counterpart. They have the same pointy face, dark nose, curved back, skinny tail, and almost nonexistent waist. They have an incredibly short, soft coat.

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