Italian Greyhound

By Janice Jones     |Last Updated 04-25-2024

The Italian Greyhound is often described as being a unique breed among dog breeds. They are true creatures of comfort and they are known as the “Velcro dog”.

Many small dogs get the name "velcro" and the reason why is that they cannot think of a better place to be than right there by your side or on your lap.

The IG, as the breed is often called, was bred first to be a companion and to be by your side, snuggle next to you, and keep you warm.

This breed is definitely considered a lap dog and some say that they are very cat-like.

These little guys love to sunbathe and are extremely intolerant to cold weather and the rain.

So intolerant to the cold, many Italian Greyhound owners actually litter box train their pup.

The IG is a scaled down variety of the larger Greyhound, which means that they can run incredibly fast. They run at a whopping 25 miles per hour, which is 6 miles per hour faster than the average pooch. 

Though classified as a Toy Breed by the American Kennel Club and other major organizations, CKC, KC, NZKC and ANKC, they are actually tiny sight hounds, and in fact the smallest of the sighthounds.

This breed has a deep chest which gives them endurance and a long and slender tail with a slight curve at the end. Their long tail gives them balance when they run extremely fast and is also used as a rudder to help them turn on a dime.

Other than being able to run fast, they also have very acute sight and hearing. Their “flying” ears, or “propeller” ears help them to hear. The ears on this breed are very high set with drooped tips when they are alert.

This is a very special breed of dog. Being alert, active, loyal, affectionate, and many other amazing qualities, this is a good dog for many people.

Italian Greyhounds are not for everyone, but if you are looking for a playful dog that also loves to spend time on your lap and by your side, then this may be the perfect breed for you.

Quick Facts About the Italian Greyhound

Other Names Used: Piccolo Levrierno Italiano, IG, Igg

Affiliation: Toy group; AKC recognized in 1886, CKC, UKC, FCI, NKC

Size

     Height: 12-15 inches, (30-38 centimeters)

     Weight: 6-10 pounds, (3-5 kilograms)

Coat Type: Smooth, close coat

Colors: Grey, slate grey, red, fawn, blue, black, white or cream. Black and tan and brindle are not accepted in the AKC show ring.

Country Of Origin: The Mediterranean Basin

Activity Level: moderate to active

Good with Children: They are decent with children if they are socialized and introduced to them at an early age, but they would do better with no small children, as the noise can be bothersome to them.

Good with Other Pets: If socialized with other pets when they are puppies, Italian Greyhounds get along fine with other dogs. They do have a slight prey drive though, which should be kept in mind if you have small rodents in the house.

Traits	Rating
Playfulness
Affection Level
Friendliness Towards Strangers
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Good for First Time Owners
Exercise Needed
Ease of Training
Watch Dog Ability
Grooming Requirements
Shedding
Cold Tolerant
Heat Tolerant

Explanations for At a Glance Ratings 

• Playfulness:  Most=5   Less=1
• Affection:  Most=5   Least=1
• Friendliness Towards Strangers:  Most=5  Least=1
• Good with Children:  Good=5   Not Good=1
• Good with Other Dogs:   Good=5   Not Good=1
• Good for First Time Owners:  Good=5  Not Good=1
• Amount of Exercise Required:  Much=5  Minimal=1
• Ease of Training:   Easy=5   Difficult=1
• Watch Dog Ability:   Excellent=5   Poor=1
• Grooming Needs:   Extensive=5  Minimal=1
• Shedding:   Heavy Shedding=5   Minimal Shedding=1
• Cold Tolerance:   Cold Well Tolerated=5    Poorly Tolerated=1
• Heat Tolerance:   Heat Well Tolerated=5   Poorly Tolerated=1

History of the Italian Greyhound

These petite dogs were bred to be companions, and similar to many small dogs, they were primarily kept by royalty. They graced the royal palaces of Charles I, Katherine the Great, Queen Anne and Queen Victoria, just to name a few.

Despite their name, they were actually not originally from Italy. They were believed to have originated in Greece and Turkey over 2000 years ago, but there is a lot of discussion as to where they actually originated. This puts them square within the ancient Roman Empire. 

By the middle ages, they were distributed throughout Southern Europe and are often considered a symbol of wealth, which is why they often appeared in many paintings throughout the Renaissance.

The breed was a favorite of Italian aristocrats, which is where they get their name.

The ravages of both world wars in the 20th century took a tremendous toll on all dog breeds and the IG was no exception. American breeders were actually the ones who helped keep the breed alive.   

The breed was first registered with the AKC in 1886. 

Personality

The Italian Greyhound is a very intelligent, sweet, loving and loyal breed of dog. Since they were bred for companionship, they make amazing lap dogs and will stick by your side as much as they can.

They were very selectively bred down Greyhounds, and are a result of selective breeding. This means that they share some characteristics with the Greyhound, such as their speed and passion to run.

Early training and socialization is also very important with this breed of dog. Do not let your dog develop Small Dog Syndrome. This is where they will think they own you and that they do not have to listen to you.

The Italian Greyhound has the tendency to be shy in temperament and high strung, which is why early training is as important as it is.

In stressful situations, it is best to try to not cuddle and hold your dog.

This will not be easy, but the more you do this, the more timid and high-strung your dog will become.

It is important to assure the dog sees you being strong and stable, and they will do the same.

If you overprotect your dog, you are putting yourself in an unstable state and this can confuse your dog.

This breed can also be reserved when it comes to strangers, which is something to know if you are the type of person to have friends and family over that the dog may not be familiar with.

They are fairly adaptable dogs, but are highly sensitive to the cold. Keep this in mind if you live in a colder climate. They do not like the rain or the cold and it is important to keep them warm due to their short and thin hair coat. 

If you do have an IG in a colder climate, then sweaters, jackets and booties will be your best friend. Litter box training is also an option for this breed.

However, overall, this is a very intelligent and beautiful dog that will not disappoint you.

Grooming

If you are looking for a low maintenance dog when it comes to grooming, then look no further than this breed. They have a very short and smooth coat that has essentially no odor and sheds a minimal amount.

They might be one of the easiest breeds of dog to groom. The occasional wipe down and bath will keep this breed in good shape.

It is important to check your dog’s eyes, ears, nails, and teeth once in a while to assure they are healthy. Other than that, this dog is pretty much hands free when it comes to grooming.

Health Concerns

Italian Greyhounds are fairly healthy, but a lot more fragile than they appear. It is enormously important to make sure this breed is safely confined when they are unsupervised for the first 12-18 months of their lives.

Before their bones are fully developed, it is important that they don’t jump off of anything such as a bed or a sofa because they could fairly easily break a leg. Other than fragile bones, the IG only has a few other health concerns.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Epilepsy

Patellar Luxation

Cataracts

Legg-Perthes disease 

von Willebrand disease (vWD) 

Prone to leg fractures

Hypothyroidism

Feeding and Diet

The Italian Greyhound should do well on a high quality diet whether it is kibble, canned, raw, or homemade.  If you choose to provide a homemade diet, check with your vet first as it is not easy getting the nutrition just right with this method.

A small breed formula works best and will have the right size kibble and caloric content perfect for this breed.

Choose high quality treats when training or make your own using tiny bits of meat or fish. You can also try fruits or vegetables for treats, but there are some foods that your IG should never eat.

Best Suited For (Owners)

Italian Greyhounds make a good choice for first time dog owners who understand the breed's needs and have the time to devote to training and care.

This particular breed of dog would probably do best with either single people living with only this dog, or couples without children.

The reason is the Italian Greyhound does not really like loud and noisy environments. They like everything to be very quiet and calm. If you have young and potentially noisy children, you might want to reconsider this breed.

Energy and Activity Level

IGs are active dogs and enjoy a romp in a well fenced in area.  Even the best trained dogs of this breed can not be completely trusted in an open area and may take off at the wink of an eye. 

They are fast! Even as a tiny sight hound, he can reach speeds up to 25 miles an hour which is likely faster than you can run.  

They do enjoy daily walks on a leash, but dog parks may not be the best solution for these dogs. 

Their delicate bodies make them prone to injury and you may not be able to achieve a reliable recall when its time to go home.

Many IG get some of their energy needs met indoors through play with their favorite human.  Keep that in mind on extra cold days when outside play may not be an option.

Training Your Italian Greyhound

The main thing to remember when training this breed of dog is that you are the owner and pack leader.

Being the leader means you need to have a firm hand while training. This doesn't mean you should be rough. 

Gentle positive methods always work best. It is essential that you do not overprotect this dog.

That can be a bit tricky, especially when you develop such a close bond to your furry little friend, but it is crucial in behavioral development. 

It is very important to have your IG on a leash whenever they are outside. Like many dogs, the Italian Greyhound has a strong prey drive.  This means that your IG is likely to take off after a passing squirrel or chipmunk if one should come into view. 

Their determination makes it very hard to recall them when such an enticing stimuli is present.  You will never be able to outrun the Italian Greyhound.  So, if they bolt, you have a problem on your hands.  However, in a gated or fenced in backyard, they do just fine.

Did You Know

President John Tyler bought his wife an Italian Greyhound named "Le Beau."

Reference and Further Reading

Breed Club:  Italian Greyhound Club of America, Inc.

American Kennel Club

Books You Might Find Helpful

Before deciding on a breed, it is always wise to learn as much as you can about it.  These books are available from Amazon and come recommended by breed fanciers. 

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Related Breeds

IGs are unique in the small dog world, but there are a couple of other breeds that you might like to read about.  Check these out.