Italian Greyhound

Miniature sighthound. Elegant, fragile, surprisingly fast.

GroupToy
OriginItaly / Mediterranean
Weight3.5–5 kg
Height33–38 cm
Lifespan14–16 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds, kept by Mediterranean nobility for over 2,000 years. Despite the toy size, "IGs" are true sighthounds β€” fast, athletic, and prone to chasing small things.

Temperament

Affectionate, sensitive, gentle. Bonded with one or two people.

Exercise needs

45 minutes of daily exercise plus a short sprint.

Grooming

Smooth coat, weekly brush, near-zero shedding.

Common health issues

Patellar luxation. Periodontal disease. Leg fractures (fragile bones β€” protect from jumping). Epilepsy.

πŸ‘ Best for

Apartment dwellers, retirees, allergy-sensitive owners.

πŸ‘Ž Not best for

Households with toddlers β€” IGs are very fragile.

Products for Italian Greyhound owners

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