Italian Greyhound
Miniature sighthound. Elegant, fragile, surprisingly fast.
Photo: Jacob Sierra / Pexels
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 — 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 — protect from jumping). Epilepsy.
👍 Best for
Apartment dwellers, retirees, allergy-sensitive owners.
👎 Not best for
Households with toddlers — IGs are very fragile.
Buying guides for Italian Greyhound owners
Buying guides for Italian Greyhound owners
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