Professional dog trainers should be chosen carefully.

Health problems that can be found in the breed:[11], The Ortheopedic Foundation for Animals has found the Italian Greyhound to be the least affected by hip dysplasia of 157 breeds studied, with an incidence of 0.

It may also be called the Italian Greyhound. Distinguishing features are the long, fine-boned legs. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. An African king named Lobengula once swapped 200 head of cattle for a single Italian Greyhound. [12], "Italian Greyhound Dog Breed Information", "Hip Dysplasia Statistics: Hip Dysplasia by Breed", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Italian_Greyhound&oldid=978458715, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Italian-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, leg breaks (most common under the age of 2), This page was last edited on 15 September 2020, at 01:50. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Healthy You, Healthy Dog, Healthy New Year!

Fortunately, Italian Greyhounds had come to America in the late 1800s. The Italian Greyhound has a median lifespan of 13.5 in a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey. The coat is short and glossy like satin. Extensive information about breed health can be found on the website of the Italian Greyhound Club of America. Want to connect with other people who love the same breed as much as you do? After that time, numbers declined and the breed had dwindled to such an extent that it had almost … The Italian Greyhound was a favorite of the Italians of the 16th century with whom miniature dogs were much in demand. We have plenty of opportunities to get involved in your local community, thanks to AKC Breed Clubs located in every state, and more than 450 AKC Rescue Network groups across the country. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. For prospective dog owners who are interested in a particular breed, purebred rescue …, Many of today’s dogs are bored and under-exercised and the solution is increased …. Among those believed to have kept it are Frederick II, Duke of Swabia; members of the D'Este, Medici and Visconti families; the French kings Louis XI, Charles VIII, Charles IX, Louis XIII and Louis XIV;[3] Frederick the Great of Prussia;[4]:519 Anne of Denmark; Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria. All rights reserved. IGs are Greyhounds in miniature—more slender, but a Greyhound’s equal in grace and elegance.

Skin fine and supple, hair short, glossy like satin and soft to the touch. Erect or button ears severely penalized. Evidence of dogs resembling the Italian Greyhound can be found in art dating nearly 2,000 years ago from Turkey, Greece, and other areas around the Mediterranean. Head: Narrow and long, tapering to nose, with a slight suggestion of stop. Eyes – Dark, bright, intelligent, medium in size. This breed responds best to reward-based training methods rather than punishment. IGs can be seen in the paintings of various Renaissance masters, embodying the grace and balance so important to the era’s aesthetics. Training Your Dog For An Emergency: Does Your Dog Know These Skills? Note: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. For the most part, playtime will be sufficient for this, especially if there is more than one dog.

Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior).It’s easy to allow these dogs to become overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Care should be taken, as this small breed can be easily injured by boisterous children and larger dogs. Favorite of various royal families, including the consort of England's James I, Anne of Denmark; Mary Beatrice d'Este of Modena, the Italian consort of James II; Frederick the Great of Prussia; Catherine the Great of Russia, and Queen Victoria. This dog loves to run and chase, but is extremely gentle and sensitive. Harsh methods just don’t work with these intelligent, sensitive little dogs, even though they can be stubborn. [2] It may also be called the Italian Sighthound. Dog parks can be a hazard unless well supervised and having separate areas for small dogs. Regular brushing of the teeth is important in this breed to prevent future dental issues. Care of the fine short hair is minimal, consisting only of occasional brushing to remove dead hair. Ribs should not be visible but should be able to be felt under a thin covering of flesh. The nails need regular attention, preferably with a grinding tool. After both conflicts, American breeders, an ocean away from the ravages of war, kept the breed alive and helped repopulate its numbers in peacetime Europe. The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage.

IGs combine the attentiveness of lapdogs with the complexity of ancient, aristocratic hounds. Even though their numbers were small, they were of excellent soundness. Long, straight, set well under shoulder; strong pasterns, fine bone. Exercise needs are best met with a good walk on leash or even a rollicking game indoors. Exactly how and when this miniaturized Greyhound was developed has been lost in time. It weighs no more than 5 kg (11 lb) and stands 32 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) at the withers. In 1820, the Italian Greyhound was one of only two toy breeds mentioned in a book about dogs. Dental cleaning by a veterinarian should be done yearly or as needed. This dog likes to stretch out and sprint in a safe fenced area. Skull – Rather long, almost flat. The trainer should be firm with commands and lavish with praise.

[1] It is in the Sighthound Group of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale,[7] but in the Toy Group of the American Kennel Club[8] and The Kennel Club (UK).

The Italian Greyhound likes a daily romp outdoors, but dislikes the cold. The AKC registered its first IG in 1886. The head is long and pointed. Ears – Small, fine in texture; thrown back and folded except when alerted, then carried folded at right angles to the head. Note: The breed is susceptible to leg and tail fractures. The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the family of Gazehounds (sighthounds).

One possible reason for the decline was a degradation in quality because dogs were bred for tiny size, often without regard to soundness and health. After that time, numbers declined and the breed had dwindled to such an extent that it had almost disappeared in England after World War II. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. Reserved, often timid, with strangers, the Italian Greyhound is devoted to its family: good with children, other dogs, and pets. AKC Marketplace is the only site to exclusively list 100% AKC puppies from AKC-Registered litters and the breeders who have cared for and raised these puppies are required to follow rules and regulations established by the AKC. IGs are an active breed and need regular exercise.

Chest – Deep and narrow. On an IG in proper weight, the hip bones should just be seen. By the Middle Ages, miniaturized Greyhounds could be found throughout southern Europe, but they found special favor with Italian courtiers. It shares the sighthound sensitivity to barbiturate anesthesia. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. The miniature Greyhound was a popular companion, and perhaps a small-game hunter, throughout southern Europe in the days of the Empire, but the breed came into its own in Renaissance Italy, where owning miniature versions of popular breeds was a status symbol among aristocrats and wealthy strivers. Treats used as a reward should be small but immediate when the command is learned and followed. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. They should not be shortened all the way to the quick. Essentially a slender miniature Greyhound, the Italian Greyhound is exceptionally elegant and graceful. The Italian Greyhound (Italian: Piccolo levriero Italiano) is an Italian breed of small sighthound. Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation Texas and Oklahoma, Las Lomas K9 Rescue & Adoption Foundation, Minor concerns: epilepsy, leg fractures, patellar luxation, PRA, Occasionally seen: color dilution alopecia, cataract, Legg-Perthes, hypothyroidism, portacaval shunt. All trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., or used with permission. A short-coat, low-fat breed, IGs require extra care in cold weather. James I, Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, Anne of Denmark, and Queen Victoria were among the royals who augmented their majesty with an IG or two by their side. Long, well-muscled thigh; hind legs parallel when viewed from behind, hocks well let down, well-bent stifle. Since then, the breed has risen gradually in popularity and is now enjoying a second renaissance. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Your Dog Deserves Nothing But the Best: Meet AKC Canine Retreat in Midtown West Manhattan, iy_2020; im_10; id_22; ih_17; imh_14; i_epoch:1603412075121, py_2020; pm_09; pd_10; ph_04; pmh_00; p_epoch:1599735628418, link-block-publisher; link-block-publisher_link-block-publisher; bodystr, pn_tstr:Thu Sep 10 04:00:28 PST 2020; pn_epoch:1599735628418. [3], The Italian Greyhound is the smallest[6] of the sighthounds. A sighthound in a small package, the Italian Greyhound shares its larger relatives’ characteristics. This dog has long been popular with nobility and royalty. This breed has a hare foot, and the two middle nails can be left slightly longer than the other two.

AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. The Italian Greyhound was frequently included in Renaissance paintings by such famed artists as Giotto, Carpaccio, Memling, Van der Weyden, David, and Bosch. “On the whole,” writes an IG expert, “the breed would much rather be in your lap or bed than on the floor.” They are, though, true sighthounds and will bolt after quick-moving prey at the drop of a cat. Italian Greyhounds are generally long lived, with a normal lifespan of 13 to 15 years.

To get the latest on pet adoption and pet care, sign up to hear from us. In modern times IGs do their share of winning in the show ring, and lure coursing gives them a chance to rev up their small but powerful engines. The Italian Greyhound continued to find favor, reaching its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria.

The Italian Greyhound continued to find favor, reaching its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria. Archaeological evidence suggests that IGs were bred as noble companions some 2,000 years ago in the region that is now Greece and Turkey, when the mighty Roman Empire held sway in the Mediterranean. Neck is long, slender and gracefully arched.