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Breed Name: Italian Greyhound

Dog Group: Toy (for AKC in North America); Sighthound in Europe

Registration Organizations: AKC

National Club Name: Italian Greyhound Club of America

National Club Address:

 Lillian Barber, Corresponding Secretary
 3568 Menifeee Road
 Murrieta, CA  92563

Breed 'Nickname": IG

Breed Description:

Original Purpose:

There are many differences of opinion as to their original purpose. Some believe that IGs were originally used in hunting small game, others believe that they were kept as house mousers (instead of cats), while still others feel that they were kept solely as elegant pets.

Breed History:

Earliest record: Based on depictions of miniature greyhound-type dogs in early decorative art and archeological discoveries of small greyhound skeletons, IG history probably extends back more than 2000 years.

Country of Origin: Mediterranean Basin, possibly in what is now Greece and Turkey. Called Italian Greyhounds due to their frequent depiction in Italian art.

Year of Registry with AKC:

1886 for first registration (Lilly #4346), not until 1950 that as many as 50/year were registered.

Breed Registration Statistics:

Size:

  Height (inches):13"-15" (dogs); 13"-15" (bitches)
  Weight (pounds):8-14 (dogs);6-12 (bitches)

Eye color:

Dark brown is preferred, but some are self-colored. Light eye color, as it affects the soft expression, is frowned upon.

Lips:

tight

Ear type:

rose

Cosmetic Surgeries (to establish 'breed look')?:

None required; dewclaws may be removed if desired.

Color:

Black, blue, red, fawn, red-fawn, blue, fawn, mahogany, chocolate, cream (all may be solid or with white markings), white, pied (white with spots of any of the above colors). Brindle or black-and-tan are disqualifications.

Coat Type:

Very short, smooth, silky to the touch. Not very weatherproof or insulating.

Temperament:

Many may be slightly aloof with strangers, but most are gentle, friendly, quiet dogs.

Special Requirements:

IGs do best in a loving home environment with daily interaction with humans, therefore, they do not do well in kennels. Being hounds, they do need firm limits set, otherwise, they become stubborn and bratty. Since they are thin dogs with very short coats, they need protection from the cold and from very hard surfaces.

Typical Competitive Activities for this Breed:

IGs have competed successfully in Obedience, Agility, and Tracking and are beginning to show well in Lure Coursing. Many owners have done well with their IGs in CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and temperament tests.

Breed Pluses:

1. Easy care
2. Loving companion
3. Sleek appearance
4. Low exercise requirements
5. High willingness to please

Breed Minuses:

1. Somewhat hard to housetrain (Especially intact males exhibiting marking behavior)
2. Can be clingy
3. Can be yappy and loud
4. Are occasional "escape artists"

Breed Health problems:

1. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
2. PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosis)
3. Seizures
4. Broken legs
5. Slipped patellae
6. Color Mutant Alopecia ("Balding Blue" Syndrome)
7. Legg-Perthes Disease (Necrosis of femoral head)

Who should own this breed?

People who:
1. love a "cuddly"-type dog
2. don't mind a dog that follows you EVERYWHERE
3. have fenced yards
4. are willing to set limits and keep to them
5. realized that a gruff "NO" is often discipline enough
6. understand that IGs are hounds above all with the inherent athleticism, amiability, and stubbornness that that implies. They are "Toy Dogs" in size alone.
7. are willing to make time for the dog
8. remember that the dog really CAN jump that high onto counters and tables

Who should not own this breed?

• People who:
  1. are unwilling to crate train
  2. allow unsupervised time with very rough children or large dogs
  3. are not prepared for the possible medical expense of broken legs
  4. hate dogs on the furniture or in bed
  5. won't deal with an older dog (IG life-span is 12-15 years with good care)
  6. are unaware that big dogs often think little dogs are prey items
  7. think that IGs are "delicate" and must be pampered to survive

Contributing Author for the IG breed profile:

Christine M. Chapman, Woodwind Italian Greyhounds

For additional information on this breed e-mail? Bonanni@aol.com

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