Italian Greyhound Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: Italy
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature sighthound of ancient lineage, prized for centuries as both a companion and a lapdog by European nobility. Despite its delicate appearance, it is an athletic and spirited breed that forms deep bonds with its owner.
| Breed | Italian Greyhound |
| Size | Small (7–14 lbs) |
| Height | 13–15 inches |
| Lifespan | 14–15 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Agile, Sensitive |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ❌ Not ideal |
| Grooming | Minimal |
| Training | Good |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Italian Greyhound Overview
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthound family, combining elegant proportions with surprising speed and agility. It thrives on close human companionship and is known for its thin skin and low body fat, which makes it sensitive to cold temperatures. Owners typically dress them in coats during winter months, and the breed does best in calm households where it can curl up with its favourite person.
📜 History & Origin
Artifacts and paintings suggest the Italian Greyhound existed in the Mediterranean region over 2,000 years ago, with remains found in Egypt and depictions in ancient Greek pottery. The breed became a favourite companion of Italian Renaissance nobility during the 14th and 15th centuries, hence its name. It was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1886 and has remained a beloved toy breed ever since.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 7–14 lbs (3–6 kg)
- Height: 13–15 inches (33–38 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 7–14 lbs
- Height: 13–15 inches
Coat type: Short, smooth, silky, single-layered
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Italian Greyhounds require careful supervision around young children. Early socialisation is essential. Best suited to families with older children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Italian Greyhounds are high-energy dogs that require at least 40 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
✅ Apartment living: Possible with adequate daily exercise commitment.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Italian Greyhound)
- Daily amount: 0.5 to 1 cup of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Weekly brush is usually sufficient.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Italian Greyhound lifespan is 14–15 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Experienced dog owners
- Apartment dwellers
- Adults and seniors seeking a close companion
❌ Cons
- Families with young children
- Owners in very cold climates without heating provisions
- People seeking a low-maintenance or independent dog
- Requires significant daily exercise
🆚 Italian Greyhound vs Other Breeds
✅ Italian Greyhound wins at
The Italian Greyhound is far better suited to apartment living due to its compact size and lower space requirements.
✅ Whippet wins at
The Whippet is more robust, less prone to leg fractures, and generally easier to handle for first-time sighthound owners.
✅ Italian Greyhound wins at
The Italian Greyhound fits comfortably in small apartments and requires far less physical space than a full-sized Greyhound.
✅ Greyhound wins at
The Greyhound is calmer indoors, generally sturdier, and better suited to households that want a more laid-back low-energy companion.
🏠 Who Should Own a Italian Greyhound?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Experienced dog owners
- Apartment dwellers
- Adults and seniors seeking a close companion
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Families with young children
- Owners in very cold climates without heating provisions
- People seeking a low-maintenance or independent dog
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Italian Greyhound good for families?
The Italian Greyhound can be a wonderful companion in the right household, but it is generally not recommended for families with young children due to its fragile bone structure and sensitivity. Small children can accidentally injure an Italian Greyhound through rough handling or by dropping the dog. Families with older, calm children who understand how to handle a delicate dog can make it work with proper supervision.
How much does a Italian Greyhound puppy cost?
In the UK, a well-bred Italian Greyhound puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 1,200 and 2,500 pounds. In Pakistan, prices generally range from around 80,000 to 200,000 PKR depending on the breeder and lineage. In India, expect to pay approximately 60,000 to 150,000 INR from a responsible breeder, though prices vary by city and availability.
Is Italian Greyhound easy to train?
Italian Greyhounds are intelligent but can be stubborn and easily distracted, making consistent positive reinforcement training essential from puppyhood. Their sensitive nature means they respond poorly to harsh corrections, so patience and reward-based methods work best. Housetraining in particular can be a challenge with this breed, especially in cold or wet weather when they resist going outside.
What food is best for a Italian Greyhound?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for small breeds with lean protein as the first ingredient is a solid foundation for an Italian Greyhound's diet. Because the breed has very little body fat and a fast metabolism, meals should be portioned carefully to avoid both underfeeding and obesity-related joint stress. Dental health is a major concern for this breed, so crunchy kibble combined with regular teeth brushing can help reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
Does Italian Greyhound bark a lot?
Italian Greyhounds are alert and can be vocal when they sense strangers or feel anxious, but they are not considered excessive barkers compared to many other small breeds. With proper socialisation from a young age, most Italian Greyhounds learn to remain calm and will only alert bark when genuinely necessary.
Can a Italian Greyhound live in an apartment?
Yes, the Italian Greyhound is one of the better small breeds for apartment living because it is quiet indoors, does not require a garden, and is content to lounge for much of the day beside its owner. The key requirements are daily short bursts of off-lead running in a safely enclosed area and keeping the apartment warm, since this breed has almost no insulating coat or body fat and feels the cold very quickly.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Italian Greyhound is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 14–15 years, high energy demands, and minimal grooming requirements, the Italian Greyhound is better suited to adult households or families with older children.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Italian Greyhound will reward you with years of loyal companionship.