The Joy of Owning an Italian Greyhound

All About Italian Greyhounds

The Italian Greyhound is a miniature version of the Greyhound, known for its grace, elegance, and playful nature. It is a coursing hound with a keen instinct for pursuit and can run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, making it an exceptional contender in lure coursing.

Originally bred as a companion for nobility, the Italian Greyhound is affectionate and lively, but can be shy around strangers. They have a slender overall build, long legs, a long tail, and an elegant bearing. Their eyes are bright and alert, and they are always ready to play or give chase.

However, Italian Greyhounds can be stubborn and difficult to house train, so consistent training is necessary. They are affectionate with children but you have to supervise during playtime due to their delicate and easily breakable nature.

Italian Greyhounds require extra care in cold weather, as they have short, low-fat coats that do not provide much insulation. Therefore, it is important to provide them with warm clothing and bedding.

In warm weather, they love to bask and play in the sun, but can be at risk of dehydration and heatstroke. Overall, Italian Greyhounds make excellent companions for families with older children who know better than to roughhouse with them. As long as they grow up with other pets, they also get along well with them.

Caring for Italian Greyhounds

You need to protect Italian Greyhounds, a small and delicate breed of dog, from injury. If you’re thinking of getting one, you must train and socialize them well so they can be great with your family and pets. However, since they have a strong hunting instinct and tend to bark when they sense danger, they can also act as protectors for your home.

Though better suited to indoor living, Italian Greyhounds still enjoy spending time outside in nice weather. If you have a yard, it’s important to keep it secure because they tend to wander. Also, it’s not a good idea to leave them outside alone.

These dogs have a lot of energy, especially when they’re young, so they need daily exercise to stay healthy. Use a leash when you take them for a walk and train them with positive reinforcement using food, praise, and play. Be patient when housetraining them since it can be challenging.

Grooming Italian Greyhounds

The Italian Greyhound is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming, they don’t have a thick coat to keep them warm, so they need sweaters or coats when it’s cold outside.

The most crucial tip is to brush their teeth regularly, preferably daily, to prevent periodontal disease. Therefore, we recommend having a veterinarian perform early dental cleanings.

You don’t usually need to bathe them, but you can do so if the dog gets particularly dirty. Nail care is important, with regular attention needed and the two middle nails left slightly longer than the others due to the breed’s hare foot. A veterinarian recommends using flea and tick preventatives.

Brushing the Italian Greyhound’s coat occasionally is all you need to keep it soft, shiny, and healthy. Trim their nails once or twice a month to prevent painful tears and other issues. Weekly ear cleaning with a veterinary-approved ear cleanser is necessary to prevent infections, and regular eye cleaning with a damp cloth can prevent tear stains.

During grooming, it is important to check for any signs of infection, such as sores, rashes, redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, nose, mouth, eyes, and feet. Regular handling of paws and mouth during puppyhood can make veterinary exams and other handling easier when the dog is older. Finally, skin care can vary, but Italian Greyhounds generally do not have sensitive skin.

Training Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhounds respond best to reward-based training methods, and trainers should be firm with commands while also providing lavish praise. You must give small treats as a reward immediately after the command is learned and followed. You must choose professional dog trainers carefully because these intelligent and sensitive dogs, despite their stubbornness, do not respond well to harsh methods.

Though notoriously difficult to housetrain, consistent and patient training will eventually pay off. They quickly learn basic commands, especially when training is fun and kept short. You have to use firm and polite verbal and non-verbal cues when training Italian Greyhounds.

Italian Greyhounds excel at agility training, dog sports, and lure coursing training, but care should be taken to avoid injury during rambunctious activities. They are not suitable for hunting due to their fragility.

While they may see training as beneath them, Italian Greyhounds must be taught to walk on a harness and lead, and a good recall should be taught, although it should not necessarily be relied upon. Toilet training can be slow in the breed, and separation-related behavior issues are common.

Italian Greyhound Exercise Needs

Italian Greyhounds, also known as IGs, have an active and energetic nature that demands regular exercise to stay fit and healthy. They don’t need excessive exercise, and up to an hour of activity in a confined space is enough for them to stay in top shape. Short jogs, daily walks, and playtime are great activities to keep them happy.

IGs are sprinters and not distance runners. They can play for up to an hour before needing a break, but running long distances is not their strength. When hiking, it’s best to stick to easy trails and protect their fine coat from brambles and sticks.

When outdoors, keep your IG on a leash in areas with potential prey to avoid distractions and running after them. You should conduct unleashed activities in a well-supervised and fenced area to prevent accidents

IGs are sensitive and gentle dogs, requiring positive reinforcement methods during training. Consistency, patience, treats, and toys can all be used to reinforce good behavior.

Fun activities for IGs include walking, short jogs, indoor/outdoor play, and lure coursing. Although small, IGs are still sighthounds that love to run. Therefore, you should carefully monitor exercise, especially during their growing years, because they can be easily injured.

In summary, IGs need regular exercise and playtime to remain happy and healthy. Keep them on a leash in areas with potential prey. Supervise off-leash activities, use positive reinforcement training methods, and enjoy fun activities with your furry companion.

Italian Greyhound Nutrition

The Italian Greyhound requires about 1/2 to 3/4 cups of high-quality dry dog food each day, divided into two meals. However, the actual amount will vary depending on the dog’s age and activity level. You should speak with a veterinarian to determine the optimal diet and food quantity for your Italian Greyhound.

Feeding your Italian Greyhound a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs based on their age, whether they are a puppy, adult, or senior dog, is essential. You need to maintain a healthy weight because Italian Greyhounds can easily become overweight, which can lead to health problems. To avoid obesity, you should give treats moderately.

You should provide clean, fresh water at all times and brush their teeth regularly for their overall health. The better the quality of dog food, the less you will need to feed your dog. Additionally, you can control their calorie intake by feeding your Italian Greyhound twice a day instead of leaving food out all the time.

To assess their body condition, you can perform the eye and hands-on test if you are unsure if your Italian Greyhound is overweight. They should have a waist, and you should be able to feel their ribs without pressing hard. Italian Greyhound puppies may need to be fed more often than adults, at least three times per day on a consistent schedule.

For more active Italian Greyhounds, you can give glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to help keep their joints healthy. Also, omega-3 supplements can aid in protecting their joint health, skin, and coat. Manufacturers design small-breed foods with appropriate nutrient levels and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths, encourage chewing, and improve digestion.

You should always consult with a veterinarian for specific feeding recommendations based on your Italian Greyhound’s weight and medical history.

Italian Greyhound Health

Italian Greyhounds are generally long-lived, with a normal lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Responsible breeders screen for health conditions such as PRA, autoimmune problems, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hypothyroidism.

Despite the Italian Greyhound (IG) not being as delicate as it looks, you must take care to avoid hazardous situations that could result in a broken leg.

Visits to your veterinarian, preferably twice a year, will ensure your Italian Greyhound receives all necessary tests and preventative care to help your pet live a long, healthy, and happy life. There are many pet insurance options available if you want to protect your dog from predictable health outcomes.

Possible Health Conditions

Italian Greyhounds may present a number of health conditions varying in severity. These include leg and tail fractures, epilepsy, vitreous degeneration, and periodontal disease. Purchasing from a reputable breeder who engages in responsible breeding practices and screening for common diseases and conditions can minimize serious health concerns in an Italian Greyhound.

While Italian Greyhounds have a predisposition to certain health issues, it’s important to note that they are typically healthy pups

Some of the most common health issues in Italian Greyhounds include:

Eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Retinal atrophy is an inherited degeneration of the retina that leads to blindness.

Bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrand’s disease. This is a disorder that affects how your dog’s blood clots, can put them at risk of heavy bleeding.

Obesity can lead to joint problems, back pain, and heart disease. Therefore it’s important to monitor your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Joint issues such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, hip dysplasia, and luxating patella can also impact Italian Greyhounds.

Additionally, liver shunts, dental problems, deafness, and parasites can affect them.

Italian Greyhound History

The Italian Greyhound, despite its name, originally comes from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. This breed is believed to be the first dog breed developed solely as a companion. It has a history spanning 2,000 years.

In its early years, the Italian Greyhound likely helped humans hunt small game. It was popular among Italian nobility during the Middle Ages, appearing in many paintings by famous Renaissance artists. The breed gained popularity with British nobility in the 1600s. Among others it was owned by Mary, Queen of Scots, Charles I, and Frederick the Great of Prussia.

The American Kennel Club registered its first Italian Greyhound in 1886. American breeders helped revive the breed in Europe after it faced near extinction during World Wars I and II.

Today, the Italian Greyhound is enjoying a resurgence in popularity as modern dog owners rediscover the elegant little hound that has delighted humans for thousands of years.