Physical Characteristics

Breed Group:

Toy group.

Weight:

5-15 pounds (2.3-6.8 kg).

Height:

13-15 inches at the shoulders.

Color(s):

Italian Greyhounds come in all different colors, sometimes with white spots.

Coat:

These dogs have a short, shiny coat with a satiny texture.

Overview

Character:

Italian Greyhounds are affectionate dogs and make great family companions. They like to play and enjoy spending time with their human family members.

Country of Origin:

Italy.

History:

The Italian Greyhound’s predecessors were around at the time of ancient Egypt and were popular with Egyptian Pharaohs. These ancient dogs also became popular in Greece and Rome, but the breed was refined in Italy during the Renaissance period. The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1886.

Name:

Also known as Piccolo Levrieri Italiani.

Temperament:

Italian Greyhounds are sensitive animals that can’t handle harsh words or treatment. These dogs enjoy human companionship and get along very well with children. Italian Greyhounds are somewhat wary of strangers and will bark at unfamiliar noises.

Care

Training:

Italian Greyhounds are intelligent animals, but sometimes patience is required in order to train them. For these dogs, a reward system works best as they do not respond well to criticism or punishment. Italian Greyhounds tend to be quite difficult to housebreak because of their small bladders.

Activity:

This breed is very active and can be destructive when bored or left alone. Italian Greyhounds enjoy running very fast, but their slender build makes them more prone to injury than most other dogs. These dogs don’t like rough play.

Ownership:

Italian Greyhounds make excellent family companions. Keep in mind that these animals do not like cold weather or cold climates. While these dogs get along well with kids, they don’t like rough play and thus are not ideal for households with small children. As long as Italian Greyhounds get sufficient exercise, they do well both in the city and the country.

Breeders

No breeders listed at this time.

List of dog breeds