Get to know

Italian Greyhounds

Written by
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
 author of 34 dog books.
Veterinarian reviewed
 by Nate Ritter, DVM.
Written by
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
 author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.

Veterinarian reviewed

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Macabre Italian Greyhounds

The epitome in elegance and grace, the Italian Greyhound is a Greyhound in miniature, with sleek lines, but with a much more dainty prance to its gait.

Called the IG, or even Iggy, for short, the breed has long been a favorite amongst European courtesans, but is content to now grace the homes of regular folk.
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33 available Italian Greyhound puppies

$2.8k average price

40+ certified Italian Greyhound breeders

64 active litters

At a glance

Low Energy

Energy level

2/5

Minimal Maintenance

Grooming

1/5

Small

Size

Gentle, reserved, can be timid

Temperament

14-15 years

Lifespan

Average Trainability

Training

3/5

Low Vocality

Barking

2/5

At a glance

  • Energy level

    Low Energy

  • Grooming

    Minimal Maintenance

  • Size

    Small

  • Temperament

    Gentle, reserved, can be timid

  • Lifespan

    14-15 years

  • Training

    Average Trainability

  • Barking

    Low Vocality

Why people love the breed

People love IGs for their elegance, gentleness, and love of laps.
People tend to either love IGs or hate them because they are unquestionably one of the extremes of the dog world. In appearance they epitomize elegance and grace with their Greyhound build, refined bone, and high-stepping prance. But for people who love a big burly dog, this is just too spindly for their tastes. In personality they are gentle, reserved, and even timid. They love to snuggle and stay warm in the laps of their special people. IG lovers appreciate their vulnerability and need for their family. But again, for those seeking a tougher dog, an IG may not be the dog for them. From a practical viewpoint, the IG is a convenient size, an easy keeper, and easy to groom. They love and even need warmth, and don’t tolerate being cold well at all.

Appearance

The Italian Greyhound is a Greyhound in miniature, with some differences.
The IG’s silhouette is unmistakable Greyhound-like, with a deep chest, arched topline, tiny waist, long legs, narrow head, and folded ears. But it’s an extreme version of a Greyhound. Its legs are proportionately longer, its bone proportionately thinner, its topline tends to be more arched, its croup steeper, and its tuck-up tends to be tinier. Overall, it is actually more Greyhoundy in the traits that distinguish a Greyhound than a Greyhound is. Its gait is very different from that of a full-sized Greyhound, as it tends to prance, with a high lifting movement in the front. It does not cover the ground as efficiently as a larger Greyhound at a trot, but it does so more stylishly. Unlike a Greyhound, according to the breed standard, the IG should never be brindle patterned on the coat.

Grooming

The IG is one of the easiest of all breeds to groom. Its teeth do need particular care, however.
The coat sheds very little and requires only occasional brushing or bathing. It needs no trimming. The toenails do need trimming as needed. Like all small dogs, the IG is prone to dental disease, so it’s very important to brush the teeth daily. Check the ear for debris weekly and clean only as needed.
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Raindance Italian Greyhounds

Breed temperament and characteristics

The IG is exceedingly gentle but can be timid.
The IG gets along with everyone, but can be easily hurt. It’s smart enough to know it’s not a tough dog, and it tends to avoid confrontations. For this reason it is often labeled timid, but again, it often has good reason to be. IGs hate being cold and they hate hard surfaces. They love their special people. All of these factors add up to the IG loving to sit on warm laps, preferably bundled up on a cold day. Some people label them as clingy because of this. They make excellent companions for the elderly. They are gentle with everyone, but can be too delicate for the rough handling of toddlers. They are not rough and tumble dogs. They enjoy the company of other household pets and dogs, especially other IGs, and will cuddle up with other dogs or even with cats. They are not at all aggressive, although they will give chase to small scurrying animals outside. They are not aggressive toward strangers, but most have little interest in them. They are very much one-family dogs.

Exercise

IGs are far from hyperactive but they do need to exercise every day.
Like their Greyhound relatives, IGs are fairly calm dogs that sleep a good deal of the day. But they have a heritage of running and need to get out and stretch their legs daily. They can do this in a fenced yard. Dog parks may not be safe unless they are only with other tiny dogs. They enjoy a walk around the block but you must always ensure their safety. They should also not be let loose to run where predators could catch them. They generally do not enjoy swimming, and aren’t great at retrieving. They are vulnerable to cold weather, as their body has a large surface area to volume ratio, thin hair, and little fat. They will likely need to wear a sweater in the winter. Favorite activities are lure coursing and agility.
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Alura Italian Greyhounds

Training

IGs are very sensitive and will wilt with force training. They respond to treats and praise very well though.
Training an IG is like training a butterfly. You have to be very careful to use only the softest guidance. Using force will only scare them, or even break them. Tiny treats are your secret weapon. Use them to lure your IG into position, rather than trying to push or pull. Everything you do must be with a light hand, and lots of upbeat praise. IGs are notoriously hard to housetrain, so starting at a very young age you must be extremely diligent. Even with adults, it may be useful to have pee pads inside, especially in cold or wet weather. IGs are also notoriously timid, so socialization is a vital part of puppyhood. Never overwhelm them, but gradually introduce them to new experiences. When meeting new people or puppies, don’t allow anyone to push themselves on your IG—take the time for your puppy to be the one to want to greet first.

Diet and nutrition

IGs are naturally slender dogs, and a small difference in weight can make a big difference in appearance.
IGs will thrive on both high-quality commercial or home-prepared foods (only following consultation with a veterinary nutritionist). When choosing between commercial kibbles, choose one specially formulated for small dogs. Feed small Italian Greyhound puppies multiple times a day, possibly decreasing the number of meals at about 4 months of age. IGs should be neither thin nor fat, but svelte. They should have a distinct tuck-up from the side, and an hourglass shape from the top. The ribs and backbone should be easily felt but not prominent. Neutered and spayed dogs have a tendency to gain more weight, so may need less food than intact dogs. IGs as a breed are not prone to health considerations that require specialized diets, but any dog can develop such a condition. Your veterinarian can advise you.
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Macabre Italian Greyhounds

Health issues

IGs are extremely healthy but are at increased risk for broken legs and dental disease, as well as some eye problems.

Lifespan: 14 to 15 years.

Orthopedic conditions

Such as hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, patellar luxation and leg fractures are reported in IGs.

Eye conditions

IGs are impacted by several eye conditions including vitreous degeneration, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma and cataracts.

Dental disease

This is seen at a higher rate than in larger breeds.

Cryptorchidism

In which one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum, is reported at a higher prevalence in IG males.

Color dilution alopecia

In which hair is lost and the skin may become itchy, is seen in some blue IGs.

Learn more about health issues that may impact Italian Greyhounds

History

Until the last century, the IG has always been a luxury dog associated with royalty and the upper crust.
Small Greyhound-like dogs are depicted in artwork from ancient Greece as long as 2000 years ago. Some people believe the phrase “Beware of the Dog” (“Cave Canem” in Latin) warned people not of aggressive dogs, but of tiny dogs they could accidentally step on. By the Middle Ages, miniature Greyhounds were popular in southern Europe, especially amongst the upper class Italians, and later, the English. According to DNA evidence, they are related to the European family of sighthounds. Italian Greyhounds were one of the first breeds the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized, in 1886. They belong to the Toy group. Royal owners have included Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Anne, Queen Victoria and Maud, Queen of Norway. Celebrity owners have included Matt Damon, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Sigourney Weaver, Seth Meyers, and Uma Thurman.
5 Italian Greyhound puppies sitting on a blue sofa
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Divine Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhound sits with a sweater on
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Cave Canem Rex Italian Greyhounds

About the author

Canine specialist, Caroline Coile, Ph.D., is the author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. She’s written thousands of magazine and web articles about dogs. She specializes in canine science, health, breeds and competitions. Caroline has won 20 national dog-writing awards, and was a 2015 Inductee into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame.

Veterinarian reviewed

Dr. Nate Ritter, DVM is the Veterinary Medical Director at Good Dog. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lafayette College and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Society, the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, and the Society for Theriogenology. Additionally, he is a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

Breed Scorecard

Characteristics and temperament

  • Affectionate with family

    5

  • Watchdog level

    2

  • Playfulness

    3

  • Adaptability

    2

  • Social needs

    4

  • Temperament

    Gentle, reserved, can be timid

  • Intelligence

    3

  • Good with other dogs

    5

  • Good with cats or other pets

    5

  • Friendly with strangers

    2

  • Good as a service dog

    1

  • Good for apartments

    5

  • Barking level

    2

Appearance

  • Height

    13-15"

  • Size

    Small

  • Colors

    Black, Blue, Black and tan, Cream, Fawn, Red, Sable, Seal, Blue fawn, Red fawn, White and black, White and fawn, White and red, White and sable, White and blue, White and red fawn, White and seal, White and blue fawn, Blue and tan, Brindle, Chocolate, White

  • Coat texture

    Soft, sleek

  • Coat length

    Short, close

Training

  • Trainability

    3

Exercise

  • Exercise needs

    2

  • Exercise time

    One half to one hour daily

  • Mental exercise needs

    2

  • Favorite activities

    Running

Grooming

  • Grooming needs

    1

  • Brushing frequency

    Monthly

  • Needs professional grooming?

    No

  • Drooling level

    1

Health issues

  • Orthopedic conditions

  • Eye conditions

  • Dental disease

  • Cryptorchidism

  • Color dilution alopecia

Other

  • Bred for

    Companionship

  • Country of origin

    Italy

  • Popularity level

    3

FAQs

  • On Good Dog, you can search for Italian Greyhound puppies or dogs in rescues and shelters. Adopting an Italian Greyhound from a shelter or rescue is generally less expensive than buying a puppy from a breeder with ethical practices. Across the United States, there are dedicated rescues that specialize in specific breeds and may even help transport an Italian Greyhound dog to you from another part of the country. Although it can be more cost-effective, adopting the exact breed you're looking for is typically more difficult than working with a responsible breeder. Learn more about adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue.

  • Yes, if you like a dog that wants to be in your lap all the time.

  • Pros: They are easy to care for, gentle, and love to cuddle. Cons: They can be delicate, timid, and hard to house train.

  • Yes, but like any dog, not for long periods of time and may benefit from the company of another IG or even a cat.

  • Prices for Italian Greyhound puppies for sale vary by breeder and individual puppy. On Good Dog today, Italian Greyhound puppies are typically around $2,750. Because all breeding programs are different, you may find dogs for sale outside that price range.

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