Italian Greyhound

[Troy]

The Italian Greyhound

ANKC Standard

(from http://www.ankc.org.au/home/breeds_details.asp?bid=34 )

Group: Group 1 (Toys)

General Appearance: A greyhound in miniature, more slender in all proportions.

Characteristics: Elegant, graceful and quick moving.

Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate and vivacious, may appear aloof.

Head And Skull: Skull long, flat and narrow, slight stop. Muzzle fine and long. Nose dark in colour.

Eyes: Rather large, bright; full of expression.

Ears: Rose-shaped, placed well back, soft and fine, not pricked.

Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth even.

Neck: Long, gracefully arched.

Forequarters: Shoulders long and sloping. Legs straight; well set under shoulders; fine, strong bone and pasterns.

Body: Chest deep and narrow. Good length of rib and brisket. Back slightly arched over loin.

Hindquarters: Long, well muscled thigh: hind legs parallel when viewed from behind; well bent stifle, hocks well let down.

Feet: Hare feet.

Tail: Low set, long, fine, carried low.

Gait/Movement: High stepping and free action. Front and hind legs to move forward in a straight line with propulsion from behind.

Coat: Skin fine and supple. Hair, short, fine and glossy.

Colour: Black, blue, cream, fawn, red, white, or any of these colours broken with white. White dogs may be broken with one of these colours. Black or blue with tan markings, or brindle not acceptable.

Sizes: Ideal height: 32-38 cms (12.5-15ins) at withers.

Ideal weight: 3.6-4.5 kg (8-10 lbs). Overall type and elegance essential.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

See Photos of Italian Greyhounds

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

3. How common is it in Australia?

4. What is the average lifespan?

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

9. How much grooming is required?

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

If you wish to contribute to the knowledge about this breed, please answer the above questions. (Copy and paste them into a new post).

• Please only answer if you breed or own a pedigree example of this breed.
  
• You do not have to answer all questions
  
• Please keep posts limited to answering questions or for asking further questions if you require more (or expanded) information.
  

See Photos of Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhound Breeders

Italian Greyhound Puppies For Sale

[Troy]

.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

I owned an Italian Greyhound for 10 years and now operate "Iggy Rescue" with a registered breeder. I adopted a second Italian Greyhound last year who sadly died after only 2 days. I currently have a purebred Italian Greyhound foster dog and have rescued/rehomed several IGs in the last 12 months.

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

Italian Greyhounds are an ancient breed dating back to 3000 BC in Egypt and have been found mummified there. They are a companion dog from the "Toy" grouping.

3. How common is it in Australia?

Not very common. Breed standard is 3-4 kilos although IGs from US lines are larger.

4. What is the average lifespan?

Up to 16 yrs.

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

They are very sensitive and don't cope well with over correction. They can be slow to learn and are quite a demanding companion as they love to be with you, preferably curled up on your lap. They feel the heat and cold and require looking after so that they are comfortable. They are not suited to outside living and can suffer heat exhaustion very quickly and/or burn through their sparse coat. They love to actually get into bed with you if they can. They are often very interested in food and will steal.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

This can vary from dog to dog, they are very much homebodies and some don't actually enjoy going for walks at all. Others love a whizz round in an open space but it should be fenced as sighthounds can just take off and may not be obedient at coming back. They are easily frightened/distracted and are not suitable for dog parks as they don't like being amongst a lot of other strange dogs.

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

As long as the person wants a breed to devote themselves and lots of time to looking after, they could be OK. Not for someone who wants to take their dog to dog parks or hectic environments.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

They are usually happy curled up asleep for much of the time.

9. How much grooming is required?

Not much at all, they are low shedding and low odour, they are better off not being bathed very often, they don't need it. Nails grow very quickly (more so than other breeds) and need trimming every few weeks. Anal glands can be an issue.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

They can be bouncy but they are a breed that generally isn't keen on young children and they can be quite fragile and easily injured.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

There are a number of issues that can arise - dental, bone density (they can easily break legs - they'll often jump off great heights), neurological and digestive disorders. They can have a delicate constitution.

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

Edited December 29, 2010 by dogmad

[Affirmation]

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

New owner of this breed & amazed at how friendly and outgoing this boy is, especially as he's 6 months old

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

They are an ancient breed, with a dog resembling the modern day IG found in a 6,000 year old Egyptian tomb. There are also carvings and paintings of them on the walls of the pyramids. Although they are a "sight hound" they are classified in the "Toy" group and make wonderful companions, who take their job of being a "lap dog" very seriously.

3. How common is it in Australia?

I believe their popularity is starting to rise, so more puppies are becoming available. At present the general public don't realise that they are actually a seperate breed & consequently confuse them for Whippets.

4. What is the average lifespan?

Around 12 to 15 years.

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

My puppy is very confident and will happily interact with people and other dogs, which I think is a huge testiment to his breeder, in the way he was socialised as a puppy. Some though, can be quite shy and timid but once you have their trust they will follow you to the ends of the earth.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

They are an active dog who love to play, and they will happily exercise themselves inside or out. They do well with a daily walk if thats your thing, but they don't require a huge backyard. They do however, feel the cold & heat so this needs to be taken into consideration if they are going outside. They love their jumpers and coats which are a "must have" in the colder months.

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

I feel that they would be a good choice, as they are low maintenance with regard to grooming, feeding and exercise etc. If you are a "first time" dog owner, regardless of breed you "must" do your research before you invite a puppy into your home. I'm always irked when I see advertisements for puppies that read " will make a great Christmas present". A dog is a living, breathing, intelligent animal and should never be something bought on impulse. A dog is for life and as this breed can live till for 15+ years, it is vital that this is taken into account BEFORE you commit to inviting one into your family.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

Dogs are a "pack" animal, so being alone is not something they tolerate well. I believe that no dog (regardless of breed) should be left alone for extended period of time. Some breeds are able to entertain themselves but in my opinion, the IG is not one of those.

9. How much grooming is required?

The IG has a very short, thin coat so they don't require much in the way of grooming. A wipe over with a damp cloth once or twice a week will help to remove loose hair. Their toenails however, grow rapidly and need to be trimmed every few weeks. Care also needs to be taken with regard to their teeth as they build up tarter quite quickly, so weekly brushing or a chew toy designed to keep teeth clean is a wise investment.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

They are a gentle breed on the whole, and would suit visiting nursing homes to brighten up the day for the residents, but they are also a very fragile breed, so should never be left alone with small children for their own safety and wellbeing.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

The Italian Greyhound can be prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) which is an inherited disease of the retina in dogs, in which the eyes are genetically programmed to go blind. Any dogs which are to be kept for breeding should be tested for this disease prior to mating. Generally both parents need to be carriers of this defective gene for it to show itself in the offspring, but ethically any dog found to carry the gene should never be bred with and neutered or spayed. It is not a painful disease but with careful breeding, is one that can be prevented. They can also be prone to knee/stifle problems where the groove in the bone where the tendon sits is too shallow which then allows the knee cap to dislocate easliy. This does cause the animal pain, but can be relatively easy to fix with a small operation where the groove is made deeper.

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

Perspective puppy buyers should ask the breeder if they test their breeding dogs for PRA and ask to see the results of the parents of the litter they are looking at. The acceptable result for PRA is that each dog is "clear" of the gene.

To sum up, the Italian Greyhound makes a wonderful companion, which loves being with it's "human". If your looking for a dog that will enjoy sitting on the lounge with you, sharing your bed at night and enjoys spending time playing in the outdoors while you garden, then this could be the breed for you.

[Boots42]

Do they "bond" to other dogs? I.e. if an iggy pup was brought into a family with another dog, would the iggy have a strong (velcroish) relationship with the other dog?

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Boots, it just depends. I had a male Iggy for 9 yrs and two of my male foxies (I've had a few) used to love to cuddle up with him. I still have one of those foxies and he's not remotely interested in curling up with my current female Iggy.

When she arrived 3 months ago, i was also fostering another female Iggy and they were like velcro with each other but since the foster dog left (got adopted), the remaining Iggy does sit near my other dogs but does not relate to them in the same way.

In short, Iggies really do prefer other Iggies or Whippets generally. One of our foster carers has 2 of our Iggies and also has a greyhound. One of the Iggy boys loved to snuggle with the Grey!

[indigirl]

I also think iggies prefer their own kind. I have multiple dogs, including a number of iggies and while they like the other dogs they like each other best.

[WreckitWhippet]

I also think iggies prefer their own kind. I have multiple dogs, including a number of iggies and while they like the other dogs they like each other best.

Unless you're my poor dog Dusty, who was petrified of all of the Shantiah women

Dusty prefers the Whippet bitches and is never far away from our Sessy

Edited January 1, 2012 by Pav Lova

[CBL]

Oscar loves our greys (and they love him). He doesn't really curl up with them as such (he hates it when lilly uses him as a pillow) but he is always playing with one of them. He hasn't seen another iggy for a long time but I agree that there is a realisation of their own breed.

[Kirislin]

Oscar loves our greys (and they love him). He doesn't really curl up with them as such (he hates it when lilly uses him as a pillow) but he is always playing with one of them. He hasn't seen another iggy for a long time but I agree that there is a realisation of their own breed.

what is it about other dogs using iggies as pillows?

[CBL]

Oscar loves our greys (and they love him). He doesn't really curl up with them as such (he hates it when lilly uses him as a pillow) but he is always playing with one of them. He hasn't seen another iggy for a long time but I agree that there is a realisation of their own breed.

what is it about other dogs using iggies as pillows?

Oscar would have cracked it by then, he certainly tells them when he is pissed off.

[shantiah]

Unless you're my poor dog Dusty, who was petrified of all of the Shantiah women

Thats because poor Dusty is broken. If he came here for holidays he would soon learn that a harem of lovely girls is not nearly the worst thing that can happen to you

My iggies tend to prefer other iggies, but SOME quite like the greys too, however only under very strict supervision and I pick which greys get to play. Here is Precious and Georgi

Edited January 2, 2012 by shantiah

[Whipitgood]

Can you have Iggys and Whippets running together or are they at risk of being "hunted" in a chase or bowled over and injured?

Can you have Iggys on acreage, following you around, or will they break too easily running on uneven ground, over logs and rocks etc?

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Iggies are fairly delicate in many ways, running around with bigger dogs they can get injured - they are around 6 kilos so if you have a larger Whippet of around 20 kilos, there could be an injury. Iggies will take off and not come back so you do need to have fenced acreage. They are not a small version of a whippet and can be quite different in some ways.

[shantiah]

Iggies can live on acreage quite happily and dont (or at least shouldnt) break while running on uneven ground and jumping over things. You do however need to have good fences as they will go off exploring or chasing things. You should never let your iggy off lead unless it has good recall

[Napoleon]

Hi Iggy lovers :)

I am very interested in this special breed.

I am wondering what is their normal price generally here in Australia?

And what about the different prices for one limited register as opposed to one who is on full register ?

How can I ensure I have a 3-4 kg one according to breed standard as opposed to those tall ones I usually see more commonly advertised who look whippet size.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Napoleon

[Kirislin]

Hi Iggy lovers :)

I am very interested in this special breed.

I am wondering what is their normal price generally here in Australia?

And what about the different prices for one limited register as opposed to one who is on full register ?

How can I ensure I have a 3-4 kg one according to breed standard as opposed to those tall ones I usually see more commonly advertised who look whippet size.

Their prices vary alot, probably anywhere from about $1200-$3000 or maybe even more. It doesn't necessarily mean the more costly one is better, it just might have cost more to produce, (stud fees, travel, vet, cost of importing sire, etc). As to the size, most IGs I've seen, even the ones in the show ring are from about 4 kgs - 6kgs , possibly even heavier, not that I'm running around weighing them but I can get an idea from visually comparing them to my own IG, who once she's got her baby weight off is between 4.3-4.5kgs. I've seen smaller ones but you'd have to be really careful with them, even moreso than normally.

There is a huge size variation with IGs much as there is with whippets. I've seen whippets that could almost pass for an IG and vice versa, although it's generally the shape of them, not the size that is the give away as to what breed they are when they're like that. I am not a breeder but I have a small litter here now, none for sale, but because they are a total outcross there's a big size and type variation with them. From a tiny one to a big one, although we still cannot be sure how they will mature and how big (or small) they will end up.

There's also different types/lines of IGs. You have the European type, the English type, the US type and a mish mash of all 3. You just have to go along to a few shows, talk to breeders, look at the dogs, and decide what you like. You could also join some forums or facebook pages and get to see some that way. Good luck.

[Kirislin]

2 Italian greyhounds killed by dogs in Melbourne  in the last week!  That’s why I often pick mine up in public places