By Heidi Clayton
One of my favorite little toy dogs to recommend to people looking for something small is the Italian Greyhound. They are not simply the toy version of the larger Greyhound. These dogs are their own breed that can be traced back thousands of years.
Known as the “IG,” the Italian Greyhound is considered a “sight hound”, which is a dog that hunts rabbits and other animals by sight instead of by scent. While their exact origin is unknown, archaeological remains from 79 A.D. were found in the ruins of Pompeii. As trade at the time often involved dogs, it is believed that traders from Turkey and Greece brought the IG to Italy. The first written description of the IG dates back to 1626 when Francesco Birago wrote that the form and function of the IG impacted its purpose as both a companion dog and a hunter. The IG has long been a recognized breed in the United States, gaining its AKC status in 1896. Both World War I and II nearly extinguished the breed as a whole. A group of dedicated fanciers brought them to America to replenish their numbers, and the Italian Greyhound Club of America was formed in 1950.
Based on their size only, the IG is a member of the Toy Group. They range from 13-15 inches and weigh about 7-14 pounds. They come in various solid colors. Purebred IGs do not come with brindle or tan and black markings. The coat of an IG is short, supple, and soft. It will require very little brushing. However, they hate the cold, so a jacket or coat in chilly weather is recommended. While toy in size, they remain fast-moving sight hounds and excel at sports like agility and fast CAT.
The Italian Greyhound Club of America says that the reason they remain in fashion today as they did among the Italian nobility is they are “snuggly and warm, and they truly love their people.” Most IG breeders I know swear that the dogs prefer the company of another IG if their person is not available. Every IG owner I know has more than one, and they live in complete harmony with each other.
By and large, the Italian Greyhound you get is going to be a healthy little dog. The Italian Greyhound Club of America is making great strides in identifying health-related issues. It has a list of recommended health tests that all breeders should follow for all of their breeding stock dogs. A good breeder will have a complete health evaluation from an OFA-certified veterinarian who tests the hips for dysplasia, thyroid testing, eye exams, a DNA test to see if the gene for progressive retinal atrophy is carried, a DNA test for glaucoma, a DNA test for familial enamel hypoplasia, and a DNA genetic diversity test. Every IG breeder I know takes health very seriously and has all of these tests done before considering breeding a dog.
If you are in the market for a toy breed and want a snuggly little charming dog, the Italian Greyhound is the dog for you. They can also be a great choice of dog for people living in apartments or condos.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
