Italian Greyhound — breed guide

At a glance

Group

toy

Size

Toy

Weight

3.6–5 kg (8–11 lb)

Life span

14–15 years

Coat

Sleek, ultra-fine coat

Living with a Italian Greyhound

• Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
• Almost no grooming.
• Barely sheds.
• Can be stubborn.
• Vocal when there is a reason.
• Can do well with children, with care — easier with older kids than toddlers.
• Gets along with other dogs.
• Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
• Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
• Better with previous experience behind you.
• Average heat tolerance.
• Needs a coat in the cold.

Temperament

Sensitive · Playful · Affectionate · Elegant

Health to watch

• Leg fractures
• Dental disease
• Luxating patella
• Progressive retinal atrophy

Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.

Did you know

Italian Greyhounds lounged with Renaissance nobility and appear in paintings going back to Pompeii-era art.

Questions people ask

Is a Italian Greyhound good with kids?

With care. Italian Greyhounds generally do well with older children who already know how to behave around a dog; with toddlers, supervise every interaction and give the animal somewhere it can retreat to.

Is a Italian Greyhound good with cats?

It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.

How much exercise does a Italian Greyhound need?

A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.

Can a Italian Greyhound handle hot weather?

About average — use normal hot-day sense.