As a small-animal vet, I have a real soft spot for Italian Greyhounds. They are affectionate, elegant little dogs that bond closely with their people, and most live long lives well into their teens. That said, their delicate build comes with a particular set of health concerns, and owners who understand these tend to catch problems early and avoid a lot of heartache.
The good news is that the Italian Greyhound is not a sickly breed. The issues I see most are predictable, and many are preventable or manageable with attentive care. In this guide I will walk you through the conditions I watch for in this breed, the symptoms that should put you on alert, what tends to cause each problem, and how treatment and prevention usually work. None of this replaces a relationship with your own veterinarian, but it will help you be a more informed advocate for your dog.
What Is Italian Greyhound Health Problems in Dogs?
Italian Greyhound health problems are the cluster of conditions this fine-boned sighthound is genetically and structurally predisposed to. They center on three areas: the teeth, the skeleton (especially those slender legs and knees), and the eyes.
Italian Greyhounds are considered a generally robust, long-lived breed, with many dogs reaching 14 to 15 years. The conditions covered here are predispositions, not certainties. Plenty of Italian Greyhounds never develop serious orthopedic or eye disease. Knowing the risks simply lets you screen, prevent, and act early, which is exactly how this breed gets to enjoy a long and comfortable life.
Symptoms to Watch For
Because this breed hides discomfort and is small enough that subtle changes are easy to miss, it helps to know what early trouble looks like. Here are signs worth watching.
What Causes It
Most Italian Greyhound health issues trace back to the breed’s anatomy and genetics. Grouping the causes makes them easier to understand and address.
Dental and Oral
- Crowded teeth in a small mouth
- Plaque and tartar accumulation
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Early tooth loss without care
Skeletal and Joint
- Very fine, fragile leg bones
- Fractures from jumping or falls
- Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)
- Trauma from rough or high-impact play
Eye and Inherited
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Other inherited eye conditions
- Genetics passed from unscreened parents
Build and Environment
- Very low body fat and thin coat
- Sensitivity to cold
- Sensitivity to certain anesthetics, requiring an experienced vet team
Treatment and Recovery
How a problem is treated depends entirely on the condition, but the general approach for each common issue follows a familiar path. Always work through your veterinarian.
Get an accurate diagnosis
Your vet will examine your dog and may use X-rays for limping or knees, oral exams for teeth, and specialized eye testing for vision concerns. Pinning down the exact problem guides everything that follows.
Address dental disease
Treatment usually means a professional cleaning under anesthesia, removal of diseased teeth if needed, and a home brushing routine to slow recurrence.
Manage fractures and knee issues
Fractures often require stabilization or surgical repair followed by strict rest. Luxating patellas range from conservative management with weight control and activity changes to surgical correction in more severe cases.
Support eye conditions
Progressive retinal atrophy has no cure, but dogs adapt remarkably well. Keep furniture arrangements consistent and your home well lit to help a dog with declining vision navigate confidently.
Follow the recovery plan
Stick to prescribed rest, medication, and recheck appointments. Restricting jumping and rough play during recovery is essential, since reinjury is a real risk in such a fine-boned dog.
Prevention and Home Care
Prevention is where owners have the most power with this breed. These steps lower the odds of the problems above and catch trouble early.
- Brush your dog’s teeth regularly and schedule professional dental cleanings as your vet advises
- Keep your Italian Greyhound at a lean, healthy weight to protect joints and overall health
- Discourage jumping off furniture and provide ramps or steps and soft landing areas
- Supervise play and avoid rough interactions with much larger dogs
- Keep your dog warm with a coat in cold or wet weather
- Choose a breeder who screens for eye and knee conditions, and ask about health testing
- Keep up with routine vet checkups so problems are caught early
Contact your veterinarian promptly for any sudden limping or refusal to bear weight, persistent bad breath or trouble eating, a new skipping gait, changes in vision or bumping into objects, or any signs of pain such as trembling, hiding, or whimpering. Italian Greyhounds can also be sensitive to certain anesthetics, so always use a vet familiar with the breed for procedures. If your dog eats something potentially toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 without delay.
Safety note: Because their leg bones are so fine, never let an Italian Greyhound jump from high furniture, as a fall that a sturdier dog would shrug off can cause a serious fracture.
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What you need to know
Italian Greyhounds are delicate sighthounds with fine bones, so leg fractures are a real worry, especially in young dogs that leap from sofas or stairs. Their slim build also means they feel the cold quickly, so a fitted coat in winter is sensible. Dental disease is very common because of their small, crowded mouths, and tooth loss is frequent without regular brushing and vet cleanings.
Watch for skin sensitivities and thin coats that thin further with age. Some lines carry an eye condition that can lead to vision loss, and a few develop autoimmune issues. Because they are lean, anaesthetic and medication doses must be careful, so use a vet familiar with sighthounds. Any limping, reluctance to jump, or smelly breath deserves a check rather than waiting.