The Italian Greyhound Community

The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of all sighthound breeds, an elegant and ancient miniaturised greyhound type that has been kept as a companion by European royalty and nobility for at least two thousand years. Examples of fine-boned greyhound-type dogs appear in ancient Roman mosaics and artefacts, and the breed became a treasured luxury companion in the courts of Renaissance Italy before spreading across European royal households. Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great and Queen Victoria were among the breed's most prominent admirers, and miniature greyhound types appear in portraits of European nobility throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Despite its toy classification and ornamental history, the Italian Greyhound retains the athletic build, speed and hunting instincts of its larger sighthound relatives in miniature form. Registered by the Kennel Club in the Toy Group, it is a popular and well-established companion breed in the United Kingdom. The Italian Greyhound is a slender, finely boned and elegantly proportioned dog with a short, smooth coat, deep chest, tucked abdomen and the characteristic arched back of the sighthound family. Adults typically stand 32 to 38 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 3.6 to 5 kilograms. Colours include blue, fawn, cream, red, black and various combinations with white markings. The character is intensely devoted and emotionally sensitive. The Italian Greyhound forms extremely deep bonds with its own people and can struggle significantly with separation from them. It is gentle, quiet and refined indoors and playful in quick, athletic bursts outdoors. It is reserved with strangers but becomes comfortable in time. It is highly sensitive to the emotional tone of its household and does not cope well with raised voices, tension or rough handling. The fragile bone structure is a significant practical consideration that owners must take seriously. Leg fractures - particularly in young dogs jumping from furniture or being dropped - are a documented risk, and the domestic environment must be managed to minimise falls. The breed is also highly sensitive to cold and damp conditions, requiring warm bedding, indoor living and protective clothing in cold or wet weather. Dental disease is the most significant long-term health concern. The breed is prone to tartar accumulation and periodontal disease, and daily tooth brushing from puppyhood is strongly recommended to minimise the need for veterinary dental intervention. Purchase prices from KC-registered breeders range from £1,000 to £2,500. Monthly running costs average £70 to £120. The Italian Greyhound Club is the primary resource for breed information, health testing, responsible breeders and rescue contact.