# Italian Greyhound

Also known as: Piccolo Levriero Italiano, Italian Sighthound, Iggy
- **Group:** Sighthound (FCI group 10)
- **Size:** Small
- **Origin:** Italy
- **Height:** 32–38 cm
- **Weight:** 3–5 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 13–15 years
- **Temperament:** Gentle, Affectionate, Sensitive, Playful, Alert
- **FCI standard:** No. 200

The smallest sighthound, slender and elegant, once a favourite of European royalty. Italian Greyhounds are gentle, sensitive lap companions that can still sprint after a hare.

## Overview

The Italian Greyhound is a miniature sighthound that weighs no more than 5 kg and stands 32 to 38 cm. Though built for hunting hare and rabbit, it is kept almost entirely as a companion.

It is elegant and fine-boned, with the speed to match its larger relatives, reaching bursts of around 60 km/h.

## History

Small sighthound-type dogs have long been favourites of European nobility, with owners said to include Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria. They appear in Roman sculpture and in paintings by Giotto, Sassetta and Tiepolo.

The modern Italian breed was rebuilt from the late nineteenth century, almost vanished during the Second World War, and recovered from the 1950s. The FCI accepted it in 1956.

## Appearance

A deep chest, tucked-up abdomen, long slender legs and a long neck give a graceful, fine outline. The head is small, narrow and elongated, and the gait is high-stepping with a fast gallop.

The coat is short and fine, in solid black, grey or isabelline in any shade, with white allowed only on the chest and feet.

## Temperament

Affectionate and sensitive, Italian Greyhounds love to burrow under blankets and stay close to their people. They can be timid and are easily upset by harsh handling.

They are playful and quick, and the chase instinct is strong, so off-lead freedom needs a safe place.

## Care and exercise

Short walks and bursts of play suit them well. They feel the cold, so a coat and warm bedding are sensible in winter. The coat needs little grooming, but teeth and nails need regular care.

Housetraining can take patience.

## Health

The breed is fairly long-lived, with a median of about 14 years. Reported concerns include congenital deafness and cervical intervertebral disc disease. Fragile legs can break in falls or rough jumps.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 3
- Exercise needs: 3
- Grooming: 1
- Shedding: 2
- Trainability: 3
- Barking: 2
- Good with children: 3
- Good with other dogs: 4

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/italian-greyhound
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Greyhound · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38503
Photo: christina (CC BY 2.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Italian_Greyhound_standing_gray_%28cropped%29.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.