Italian Greyhound
A tiny, graceful sighthound that loves warmth, comfort and its people, with bursts of joyful speed.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- 32–38 cm
- Weight
- Males 3.5–5 kg · Females 3–5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Black, Grey, Blue, Isabella
- Bred for
- Companionship, Hunting by sight
- Country of origin
- Italy
- FCI
- Group 10, no. 200 · Sighthounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 1/5 – Very low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 5/5 – Very high |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 1/5 – Very low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 1/5 – Very low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a small, quiet dog that loves cuddles
- live in a flat and are home often
- can keep a home warm and safe for a delicate dog
Think twice if you …
- have toddlers or very boisterous children
- want a sturdy dog for rough play
- are away for long hours
Care
Temperament
Affectionate and sensitive, the Italian Greyhound is devoted to its family and often shy with strangers. It enjoys play in short bursts and then settles quietly.
Exercise
Short daily walks plus chances to run in a small fenced area are enough. Many enjoy lure coursing and gentle agility.
Grooming
The very short coat needs only a weekly wipe. Daily tooth brushing is highly recommended given the breed's dental problems.
Training
Gentle, positive methods work well; harsh corrections make it shut down. House training often takes extra patience, especially in cold or wet weather.
Health
Italian Greyhounds can break legs easily as youngsters and are prone to dental disease, kneecap problems, some eye conditions and occasionally epilepsy. Ask the breeder for eye and kneecap results on the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
Small sighthounds of this type have been kept around the Mediterranean since antiquity, and the breed became a favourite of Italian and European nobility during the Renaissance. The FCI name is Italian Sighthound (Piccolo Levriero Italiano).
It is a light, elegant dog that loves comfort and close contact, often burrowing under blankets. Its slim legs can break in falls or jumps, especially in young dogs, so furniture heights and rough play need thought. It feels the cold and may resist going out in rain, which can slow house training.
Did you know?
Frederick the Great of Prussia kept Italian Greyhounds and asked to be buried beside them at Sanssouci, a wish fulfilled in 1991.