A true Greyhound in miniature, the elegant Italian Greyhound is an alert, playful, and highly affectionate toy companion. IGs make decorative couch dogs, but at heart they are flash-and-dash coursing hounds with an instinct for pursuit.
The Italian Greyhound's smooth S-curved silhouette looks delicate, but this small, hardy hound is a speedy hunter and a loving home companion. Delighting owners for over 2,000 years, the breed is not a scaled-down version of the Greyhound — it is a separate breed resulting from selective breeding.
Two Thousand Years of Elegance
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds — the breeds that hunt by sight rather than scent. Although sighthounds originated in the Middle East in countries now known as Greece and Turkey, the exact development of the Italian Greyhound is unknown. Italian Greyhound-like dogs are depicted in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, and small sighthound-type dogs appeared in Italy — architectural remains from A.D. 79 were found in the ruins of Pompeii.
The breed was popular with Italian noblemen in the 16th century and known as the Italian Greyhound. Francesco Birago, an Italian nobleman, provided one of the first descriptions of a 17-to-19-inch-tall Greyhound of Italy in his Treatise of Hunting in 1626. The breed's image became hugely popular during the Renaissance in Italy, and in the first half of the 19th century, dogs of this kind were taken to the United Kingdom, where they were known as Italian Greyhounds. The first volume of The Kennel Club Calendar and Stud Book, published in 1874, lists forty of them, and registrations by the American Kennel Club began in 1886, with recognition in 1896.
In the early 1900s, IG breeders worldwide moved away from the fragile toy version that had become popular in the 1800s, breeding back to basics for a more physically sound and healthy dog. As collateral damage of World Wars I and II, many of Europe's breeds, including the Italian Greyhound, were nearly decimated. In the early 1900s, multiple American breeders brought IGs from Europe to help restore their numbers. The Italian Greyhound Club of America was established in 1950. The breed was definitively accepted by the FCI in October 1956.
A True Greyhound in Miniature
The Italian Greyhound is similar in appearance to the Greyhound but very much smaller and more slender in all proportions — an appearance of supreme elegance and grace. It stands 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder and weighs 7 to 14 pounds. It is deep in the chest, with a tucked-up abdomen, long slender legs, and a long neck. The head is small, elongated, and narrow.
The coat is very short, close, of fine texture, silky to the touch, and glossy like satin, with fine and supple skin. The color may be solid black, grey, or isabelline in any shade, with white markings accepted on the chest and feet only. The gait is the breed's most distinctive feature — high-stepping and free, with the foreleg lifted almost parallel to the ground in a fluid forward-reaching movement, portraying an elegant smoothness. The breed is capable of bursts of speed up to 60 km/h (35 mph).
Affectionate, Sensitive, and Vivacious
The Italian Greyhound is intelligent, agile, and vivacious, with a very affectionate and sensitive nature, sometimes reserved with strangers. This breed is snuggly and warm and truly loves its people — very people-oriented, greeting everyone. They are gentle and friendly, fitting well into most families.
Their friendly personality can sometimes lean toward "needy" — when Italian Greyhounds don't receive the love and attention they seek, they can become shy or hyper. They are sensitive and will shut down if they receive harsh treatment. They have a prey drive, thanks to their history as hunters, which can be triggered by small, fast-moving animals such as cats, rabbits, or squirrels.
Exercise and Activity
Italian Greyhounds combine just the right amount of activity with laziness and a compact body to be great companions in busy homes. Their moderate energy needs can be easily met with a daily walk or outdoor playtime, ideally broken up with frequent, short activities throughout the day. At heart, they are flash-and-dash coursing hounds — many compete in AKC Rally, obedience, agility, conformation, lure coursing, Fast CAT, scent work, and barn hunt.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 30–45 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 20–30 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this elegant toy breed.
Training an Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are sensitive and eager to please, responding best to positive, gentle, consistent training methods — harsh treatment will shut them down. Housebreaking can require patience, as the breed is known to be a bit tricky to housetrain reliably. Leash training is important given their prey drive.
The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming an Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound's short, silky coat is one of the easiest to care for — minimal grooming is needed beyond occasional brushing to keep the coat glossy. They have sensitive skin, so bathe only when needed with a gentle product. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a short-coated toy breed.
Feeding an Italian Greyhound
For an Italian Greyhound, based on an average weight of 7 to 14 pounds, the daily ration ranges from about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of high-quality food, divided into two meals. Because of their slender build, they are prone to the cold and may need extra calories in winter.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/2–1 cup | Use a good-quality puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1–1.25 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
Italian Greyhounds are typically healthy pups and live 14 to 15 years — median longevity is about 14 years. They are predisposed to a few health issues, including patellar luxation, dental disease, and fragile bones (they are delicate and can break a leg jumping from a height). They are prone to the cold due to their slender build. Responsible breeders test for inherited conditions including progressive retinal atrophy.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Eye and ear health checks | Discuss with your vet | Part of the annual vet review |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Italian Greyhound makes a terrific family dog for busy homes, gentle and affectionate with people, though they tend to avoid smaller, rambunctious children — all interactions should be supervised, as these dogs have slender, delicate bodies. They love nothing more than to cuddle up on the couch with their humans and make perfect lap dogs.
If you're weighing whether an Italian Greyhound fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning an Italian Greyhound means committing to a sensitive, needy companion that requires lots of lap time and gentle handling, can become shy or hyper without attention, has a prey drive toward small animals, is delicate and prone to broken legs, and is sensitive to cold. Housetraining can be tricky.
Yet for the right owner, the Italian Greyhound is incomparable — a porcelain-statue beauty with a sweet disposition, a touch of prey drive, and a heart full of affection.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Affectionate, gentle, and snuggly
- Elegant, graceful appearance
- Easy-care short coat
- Athletic and versatile in dog sports
- Fits well in busy homes and apartments
- Long-lived for a dog (14–15 years)
Disadvantages
- Delicate — prone to broken bones
- Sensitive to cold weather
- Prey drive toward small animals
- Can become needy — needs lap time
- Housetraining can be tricky
- Not ideal for rambunctious small children
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Italian Greyhounds get? 13–15 in tall; 7–14 lb.
How long do Italian Greyhounds live? Typically 14 to 15 years.
Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? Yes — gentle and affectionate, best with older children.
Are Italian Greyhounds easy to train? Yes, with positive, gentle methods — they're sensitive.
Are Italian Greyhounds good with other pets? Caution — they have a prey drive toward small animals.
Are Italian Greyhounds good apartment dogs? Yes — perfect lap dogs for busy homes.
Do Italian Greyhounds bark a lot? Moderate barking for a toy breed.
Do Italian Greyhounds shed much? Very little — a short, easy-care coat.
Are Italian Greyhounds the smallest sighthounds? Yes — the smallest of all sighthound breeds.
Do Italian Greyhounds get cold easily? Yes — their slender build makes them prone to the cold.
What were Italian Greyhounds bred to do? Hunt hare and rabbit; kept as companions for 2,000 years.
What health problems do Italian Greyhounds have? Patellar luxation, fragile bones, dental disease, and PRA.