Italian Greyhound Information & Dog Breed Facts

If you choose to purchase the Italian Greyhound, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Italian Greyhound for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Italian Greyhound gets to a happy place.

Very frequent: The Italian Greyhound is quite easy to get. There is a risk of overbreeding, as it is an extremely popular breed.

Inbreeding is common because of its popularity. A new study suggests that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems.

So be careful, buy from a trustworthy place or kennel and seek the help of an experienced person, a professional, to make the right decision.

Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. Keep in mind that if you want to teach them any tricks, they understand and memorize new commands in 40-80 repetitions. Italian Greyhound obey the first command 30% of the time or better. So if you want to have a smart dog, you might have to reconsider your choice with this breed.

The Italian Greyhound ranks below average in the intelligence ranking of dogs.

Italian Greyhound dogs are quite easy to train. Sometimes they can be challenging, but if you're consistent in teaching new commands they will obey for sure.

Italian Greyhound dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, they will alert you, but observation isn't considered their main job.

Italian Greyhound dogs strongly protect their territory. This breed is a complete security guard, so you don't have to be afraid in case of danger.

Sensitive: Italian Greyhound dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.

This breed's emotional level reflects their owner's feelings and they don't handle punishments well.

High: Italian Greyhound dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. They enjoy quality time with their owners despite the activity and are considered great therapy dogs for those in need. This breed responds strongly to their handler's emotions because they bond closely. Their happiness is your happiness.

Italian Greyhound dogs need for social interaction is average. This breed likes being around people or other animals, but they don't mind being left alone for a few hours either.

Italian Greyhound dogs have average wanderlust potential. Sometimes they like to explore the world and they might escape once or twice, but usually, they prefer staying safely at home. Safer to teach them how to get back to you on command.

Italian Greyhound dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. Cats or any other small animals are in danger. It's a natural instinct, doesn't necessarily mean that Italian Greyhound dogs are aggressive. Better to keep this breed on a leash.

Average: The Italian Greyhound barks occasionally. They can change their barks depending on their emotional level and what they're trying to say. Different barks could mean the same and the same barks could have different meanings.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Average: Italian Greyhounds, like any other dog breed, like playing. Sometimes they bark in excitement for playing, but they are not the most playful dog breed.

It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Italian Greyhound indoors.

Italian Greyhound dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. They don't mind moving from one place to another with their owner.

Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. With proper socialization and quality time with the dog can solve this problem.

The Italian Greyhound has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)

Italian Greyhound dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Italian Greyhound dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Italian Greyhound bite force: Weak. The Italian Greyhound bite force is considered weak when compared to other dog breeds. The bite force Italian Greyhound measurements usually fall below 200 PSI, making them one of the breeds with the weakest bite force. The bite force of an Italian Greyhound may be weak, but it's important to remember that any dog's bite can still be dangerous if not managed properly. Despite the bite force of Italian Greyhound being lower, it does not make them any less lovable or enjoyable as pets.

Italian Greyhound bite wounds might not be as severe, but it is still essential to be cautious and prevent any biting incidents.

They are usually not aggressive and very friendly towards children and other animals. To ensure a well-behaved dog, it's essential to learn how to train an Italian Greyhound puppy not to bite from an early age. With proper training and socialization, an Italian Greyhound can be a wonderful addition to any family, providing love and companionship for years to come.

The average lifespan of Italian Greyhound: 13 years

Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates.

The Italian Greyhound is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.

The Italian Greyhound should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.

Italian Greyhound dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. If you want a dog for snuggling on the couch, this breed isn't the perfect choice for you.

Italian Greyhound dogs have an average exercise need. This breed is satisfied with short walks every weekday and a long ones on weekends.

Italian Greyhound dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.

Low to Average: The Italian Greyhound has a low to the average risk for obesity. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Italian Greyhound weight regularly.

Italian Greyhound dogs do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reaction. However there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs in the world, there are a variety of breeds that are considered to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.

Effortless: The Italian Greyhound requires minimal grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned sometimes to avoid infections. Italian Greyhound is one of the best choices if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog.

Highly recommended for beginners.

The Italian Greyhound is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. If you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, the Italian Greyhound could be a perfect choice for you. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool minimum compared to others, just like the Italian Greyhound.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

The Italian Greyhound has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.

More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. While a good bath every now and then is a great way to keep your buddy from becoming overly smelly, be mindful about overbathing.

Bathing will wash away your dog’s natural oils, while a simple brushing every few days should keep them clean.

Italian Greyhound dogs shed none to minimal. Having a puppy from this breed you don't have to be afraid of your couch or car being covered by dog hair. Italian Greyhound dogs could be the best choice if you don't tolerate dog hair.

Italian Greyhound dogs are not kid-friendly dogs. This breed is not recommended for families with children.

Italian Greyhound dogs are generally with other pets.

Italian Greyhound dogs are average friendly towards strangers.

Italian Greyhound dogs are average friendly towards cats.

Italian Greyhound dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.

Italian Greyhound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.

Italian Greyhound is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Italian Greyhounds are not recommended for elderly people.

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Italian Greyhound is not the best breed for service purposes.

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Italian Greyhound breed is a good choice for therapeutic purposes.

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Italian Greyhound is not the best breed for detection purposes.

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Italian Greyhound is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Italian Greyhound breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Italian Greyhound is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Reproductive cycle of the female Italian Greyhound: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.