Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds are a charming mix of style and whimsy. These elegant-looking, slender dogs are the ideal companions for people who value both beauty and spirit. They have a long and illustrious history, having been preferred by the nobility due to their exceptional charm and regal bearing.

Italian Greyhounds appear delicate, but they are surprisingly robust and active dogs. They are great playmates because they love to run around and thrive on activity. Because of their loving disposition, they build close relationships with their families and frequently end up being adored members of the household.

Taking care of an Italian Greyhound can be a fulfilling endeavor. They love to be active and need frequent exercise, but they also treasure cuddling on the couch. When trained and socialized appropriately, these dogs can live happily in a variety of settings, including larger homes and apartments.

If you’re thinking about bringing an Italian Greyhound into your life, get ready for a devoted companion who will delight you with their eccentric nature and boundless energy. They are genuinely exceptional in the dog world due to their special fusion of sophistication and fun.

Feature	Description
Breed Group	Hound
Size	Small
Weight	7-14 pounds
Coat	Short and smooth
Color	Variety of colors, including fawn, blue, and black
Temperament	Affectionate and playful
Exercise Needs	Moderate, enjoys walks and playtime
Lifespan	13-15 years

Brief information about Italian Greyhounds

An exquisite Italian Greyhound is a man’s playmate and true friend. While it is a decorative "sofa" dog, it is also a real greyhound with a strong chasing instinct. The hounds’ common lines are repeated by the elegant and graceful body. The small dog’s long, thin legs are one of its distinguishing characteristics.

The Italian Greyhound is a breed that is unique in every way, from temperament to training. Take a look at some of its characteristics:

• Curiosity – pets tend to stick their long noses everywhere.
• Endurance – external fragility should not embarrass the owner.
• Speed ​​- Italian Greyhounds do not just run, they "rush". The maximum speed of the Italian Greyhound, which dogs are capable of developing in excitement, is about 45 kilometers per hour.
• Jumping ability – a miniature pet can easily jump onto a table for something tasty, climb high furniture without obstacles, jumping from which it can get a fracture of thin, fragile limbs.
• Minimum care – smooth -haired breed does not require much time to care for wool. In raw and cool weather, the dogs freeze, so you will need clothes for leverage.

Country 🇮 🇹

Levrek is a dog breed with Italian origins. The Italian greyhound small is an old breed. It is likely that the dog’s ancestors first appeared in the Mediterranean several millennia ago. The little greyhound attracted the most interest and became very popular in ancient Rome.

Group

The international classification of the left-hander breed places it in the 10th group FCI, or "Borzya," under the section "Short-haired greyhounds." Small greyhounds are classified as "toy" rocks by the American Dog Breeding Club.

Wool

The dog’s wool is short, smooth, and elastic, with tightly fitting skin that is free of folds. The wool feels silky to the touch and has a glossy appearance. Short hair has no feathering, is thin and silky, and is not ruffled. A puppy’s fur may be marginally longer than an adult dog’s up until the age of six months.

Colors

Italian Greyhounds come in a variety of standard colors, with the exception of black, tan, and brindle. Fur comes in a variety of colors and patterns, with blue and gray being the most common. White fur is acceptable on the chest and paws. An Italian Greyhound’s skin pigment typically corresponds to the hue of its fur. The pigment on the dog’s back and muzzle may be black if its color is solid.

It’s uncommon to find an Italian Greyhound that is entirely black, devoid of any gray or brown tones. The dogs that are referred to as black have lighter fur on their necks and sides, giving them a tint rather than being completely black.

If the Italian Greyhound has Isabella coloring, this could indicate a range of colors from bright red to cream. The ideal Isabella color entails a dark nose, pigmented eyelids, and expressive pigmentation over the whole fur surface.

The blue Italian greyhound is a light-colored dog that lacks yellowing.

Genetically, the grey dog and the blue dog are the same color. Unlike the blue hue, the grey color can have a reddish tint. Blue greyhounds frequently "overcolor" into grey ones.

Sizes

The Italian Greyhound is a classic example of a greyhound’s form. The little dog can fit neatly into a dog carrier or a purse. The standard specifies that a greyhound’s height at the withers should be between 33 and 38 cm. 35 centimeters is thought to be the ideal height.

Weight

The breed standard states that an individual greyhound’s weight is independent of its gender. An adult greyhound, both male and female, weighs between 3 and 6 kg.

Temperament

Italian greyhounds are fascinating, endearing canines. Members of the breed exhibit an incredibly loyal and loving nature. Dogs are known for having an uncontrollably excitable temperament; the process of becoming excited develops considerably faster than the process of "braking" after that.

In order to prevent issues with mental and physical health as well as various types of neuroses, it is crucial to give greyhounds a comfortable living space and peaceful communication.

The Italian Greyhound is a breed of dog that doesn’t require costly or time-consuming care to stay clean and attractive. Italian Greyhounds are preferred today because of their loving disposition, ease of adjustment to various environments, and low maintenance requirements. Because of its small stature, the animal can live comfortably in an apartment in a small city where room is limited for large dogs.

Fertility

A specific diet plan and limitations on exercise and games are necessary for Italian Greyhounds, especially those in the second half of pregnancy.

The best time for the first ultrasound is around day 25 of the pregnancy. The vet can feel the puppies and palpate the abdomen after a few days. The quantity of puppies born to an Italian Greyhound is roughly equivalent to the quantity of puppies born to other decorative breeds. An average litter of two to four puppies, occasionally up to five, is the focus of breeders.

Life expectancy

Genetics, living circumstances, diet, and the balance of the dog’s physical and mental activities all affect how long an Italian Greyhound lives.

It is typical for Italian Greyhounds to live between 13 and 15 years of age. Greyhounds frequently live longer lives—up to 16–18 years.

Use

Ancestors of the Italian Greyhound breed were hunting dogs. Italian Greyhounds make fantastic companions. A loyal and loving tiny greyhound will make a great friend for someone who prefers to stay indoors and for those who enjoy long walks. It is not advised for families with young children or active ones to own Italian Greyhounds.

Cost

The purpose of the purchase, whether the Italian greyhound will be kept as a pet, and whether the dog will be used for breeding and exhibitions all influence the price of the dog. Typically, dogs intended for breeding and show specimens are subject to the strictest requirements and maximal adherence to the standard. Such puppies are always expensive.

Greyhound puppies for domestic ownership range in price from 40,000 to 70,000 rubles. Puppies from show class and purebred dogs with a pedigree from renowned kennels can cost between 80 and 90 thousand rubles, sometimes even up to 120 thousand.

Greyhound: photo

The owner intended for the small, graceful, and light Italian Greyhound to be a source of pleasure. Observing the graceful movements of a long-legged beauty is always enjoyable. Observe the greyhound’s resting appearance – it resembles a genuine porcelain figurine. Greyhound pictures capture the distinctive characteristics of the breed as well as the unique charm that these extroverted and agile canines have.

Beautiful photographs of the greyhound

History of the greyhound breed

The greyhound’s ancestry is linked to hunting breeds. Though hunting is not the purpose of the ornamental greyhound.

The Italian Greyhound is a small dog breed that dates back several millennia. In the past, the dog—sometimes referred to as the royal greyhound—was a beloved pet of wealthy people. During the excavation of pharaohs’ tombs in ancient Egypt, the mummified remains of elegant canines with slender legs were discovered. Dogs accompanied the Roman invaders to the regions that make up modern-day Europe.

An ancient Egyptian legend is among the numerous ones concerning the appearance of the stunning and enigmatic Italian Greyhound. Legend has it that Cleopatra’s court employed a large number of greyhounds for hunting. The Egyptian queen bred a small "version" to serve as a toy. Julius Caesar received one of these dogs as a gift from Cleopatra. This is how greyhounds for decoration ended up in ancient Rome.

Italian greyhounds gained popularity among wealthy Italians during the Renaissance. It is well known that the Medici family was an avid admirer of elegant animals; Italian greyhounds with their owners are frequently depicted on the canvases of those artists. Simultaneously, Italian greyhounds gained popularity in other European nations.

The Russian Empress Catherine II and the Prussian King Friedrich II were great admirers of the breed. An English doctor gave Catherine the first male dog, the progenitor of a large Italian greyhound family. The Empress loved her animals so much that she walked the Italian greyhounds herself every morning.

Walking in the park with Zemira, an Italian greyhound, is Catherine II.

A separate page also addressed the imperial favorites. Catherine frequently discussed her favorite Italian greyhounds in her correspondence. They are "much smarter than we think," the Empress remarked. The agile dogs, according to her, "chase birds, flies, and deer" and seize hold of every person who enters the room by the legs. After Zemira, the Empress’s beloved Italian greyhound, passed away, she remained in the room for several days in mourning. There is a pyramid-shaped tombstone on the grave of Catherine’s dogs in Tsarskoe Selo that resembles a Roman tomb.

A fascinating fact describes the purposes for which the Italian Greyhound was bred. Italian Greyhounds are credited with creating the first breed of decorative dogs. A domestic dog’s indirect useful function was to catch rats in the home. Greyhounds played a major role in the invention of entertainment at the same time. Wealthy European women, dog owners, and rabbit-baiting competitions were organized.

Now is the perfect moment to "decode" the name and learn what a Greyhound actually is. The dog on thin legs was dubbed by the French "Levrette d’Italie" translates to "hare" in French. Dogs started to be referred to as "Greyhounds" because Italian Greyhounds were frequently used for hare-baiting.

The Italian Greyhound’s breed indicators started to decline at the turn of the 20th century due to the dog’s popularity and the abundance of breeding vectors. It was imperative to stabilize the breed and avoid wasting any more time in order to prevent complete extinction. The 1930s saw the creation of the contemporary Italian Greyhound. The English whippet and the miniature pinscher were crossed to create the miniature greyhound, which was intended to maintain its type and solidify its small size.

Description of the Italian Greyhound breed

Ivory Greyhounds are muscular, slender dogs with a deep chest, a prominent arched back, and a slender body. The dog’s measurements are typical for a greyhound. The robust, dry body is either slightly shorter or equal in length to the height at the withers.

The following are the primary attributes listed in the Italian Greyhound breed standard:

• The head is narrow, dry and long, without a pronounced occipital protuberance. The neck is slightly curved at the top. The length of the head is approximately equal to the length of the neck.
• The muzzle is wedge-shaped, narrow. The line of the muzzle and skull are parallel. Pronounced superciliary arches.
• The lips and nose are dark, the nostrils are well open. If the dog is light in color, then the lips, eyelids and nose are close to color pigment.
• Teeth are large, jaws are elongated, scissor bite.
• The eyes look straight ahead, round, not convex and shallow, large.
• Ears are set high, with thin cartilages, softly "folded". When the dog is alert, the ears are tense at the base and directed forward or horizontally to the sides.
• Back with developed muscles. Harmonious slight bend of the loin goes to the line of the croup.
• Tail is thin and moderately long with short hair, lowered, tail set low.
• Limbs are vertical, with dry muscles and clearly expressed muscles. The line of the shin is longer than the line of the thigh. Forepaws are small, almost oval. Claws are dark, corresponding to the color of the coat, or black.
• Movement is free, springy. When trotting, dogs lift their legs high.

Greyhounds and Whippets are dogs that resemble Italian Greyhounds.

The term "miniature repetition of Greyhounds" refers to elegant Italian Greyhounds. Due to their long legs, slender bones, and streamlined bodies, both dogs make excellent runners. Greyhounds are regarded as great hunting dogs because of their long muzzles, which provide a good overview of the surroundings. The small Italian Greyhound is designed to resemble a greyhound.

The tiny Italian Greyhound is a decorative breed, but it has all the characteristics and dimensions of a greyhound.

Italian Greyhounds are smaller than Whippets, despite their overall similarity in size. Italian Greyhounds are regarded as having a more aristocratic appearance. An additional distinction is the silkier coat of the Italian Greyhound.

Italian Greyhounds combine elegance and a playful nature to make for genuinely delightful companions. They are delightful to watch due to their graceful movements and slender bodies, and they enjoy socializing with people. These dogs develop close relationships with their families and frequently seek out cuddles and affection.

Due to their noble heritage, Italian Greyhounds have a certain allure. They are flexible and can be used in a range of living environments, including larger homes and apartments. They can live in an active or more laid-back household due to their moderate exercise requirements; they prefer playing for brief periods of time and then relaxing on the couch.

Prospective owners should be aware of their frail bodies and sensitivity to cold temperatures, though. They need to be given appropriate care and a comfortable environment in order for them to be healthy. You’ll find a devoted friend who will brighten your life if you’re willing to accept the playful energy and affectionate disposition of an Italian Greyhound.

Which particular facets of Italian Greyhounds—their temperament, history, or maintenance requirements—interest you the most?

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