Origin
Italy
Lifespan
14–15 years
Weight
3–6 kg
Height
33–38 cm
Personality
Colors & Patterns
Black · Blue · Fawn · Red · Cream · Seal
Italian Greyhound
About This Breed
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature sighthound that has been a companion of nobility for over 2,000 years. Graceful, athletic, and affectionate, they are the smallest of the sighthound family and love warmth and comfort.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Italian Greyhound
Origin
| Origin | Italy |
| Group | Toy |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 3–6 kg |
| Lifespan | 14–15 years |
| Height | 33–38 cm |
| Colors & Patterns | Black · Blue · Fawn · Red · Cream · Seal |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Playful · Alert · Sensitive · Athletic |
Often enjoys a mix of activity and rest.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Usually needs relatively little coat care. Brush as needed for its coat and shedding.
Some shedding is expected, and it may change with the season.
Living together
Often adjusts to changes fairly well, though a gradual introduction still helps.
Teach children to handle it gently and leave it alone when it rests.
Introduce other pets gradually and watch how each animal responds.
Training and activities
Practice in short sessions and reward the behavior you want.
Choose walks, sniffing games, and play to suit the dog’s age and health. Allow rest as well.
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
Breed Overview
Italian Greyhounds share many similarities with the Greyhound dog, but on a smaller scale. Both are sighthounds, meaning they rely on their vision, speed, and agility to track prey rather than scent and endurance, like other hound breeds. Both have lean and light bodies, making them quick sprinters. And while their sighthound nature may suggest a high-energy dog, both Greyhounds and Italian Greyhounds love nothing more than to cuddle up on the couch with their humans. As the smallest sighthounds, Italian Greyhounds stand only 13-15 inches tall.
Care Guide
Italian Greyhounds combine just the right amount of activity with laziness and a compact body to be great companions in busy homes. Their gentle and affectionate nature make them terrific family dogs— however, while they are generally good with kids who understand how to interact with dogs, they tend to avoid smaller, rambunctious children. Italian Greyhound dogs are low maintenance when it comes to grooming because of their short, fine hair. However, their coat does not insulate them well, and combined with their slender bodies, they can be easily affected by the cold. So if you decide to bring home an Italian Greyhound puppy, make sure you have plenty of dog sweaters and canine coats to keep them warm.