Italian Greyhound
Elegance, speed, and devotion in a miniature package. The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds — a delicate, affectionate lapdog capable of reaching 25 mph. Our complete 2025 breed guide covers everything you need to know.
Breed Overview
📖 About the Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound — affectionately called the "Iggy" — is the smallest of the sighthound family, with a history stretching back over 2,000 years. Their ancestors appear in ancient Roman mosaics and statues, and they were beloved companions of Renaissance nobility, appearing in paintings by Giotto, Carpaccio, and Van Dyck. Catherine the Great of Russia and Queen Victoria were devoted Iggy owners.
Despite their delicate, almost fragile appearance, Italian Greyhounds are true sighthounds — capable of reaching speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h) in explosive bursts. They can run faster than most humans can sprint. But unlike their larger Greyhound cousins, Iggies are indoor-only companion dogs who crave warmth, soft blankets, and constant human contact. They don't want space — they want you.
💛 Personality & Temperament
- 🥰 Velcro Dogs: Iggies bond intensely with their person. They follow you everywhere, burrow under blankets next to you, and can develop severe separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. This is not an independent breed.
- 🎭 Sensitive & Tender: They're emotionally attuned to their owners — they know when you're happy, sad, or stressed, and they respond accordingly. Harsh corrections damage them psychologically.
- 🏃 Speed Demons with an Off Switch: Outside: explosive bursts of 25 mph zoomies. Inside: 23 hours of blanket burrowing. The contrast is remarkable.
- 👶 Gentle but Fragile: Wonderful with calm older children who understand gentle handling. NOT suitable for homes with toddlers or rough play — their slender legs are easily broken.
Temperament & Training
🏃 Exercise & Activity
Iggies have moderate exercise needs but require specific types of activity:
- Daily walks (20–30 min): 2 short walks per day — but ALWAYS on leash or in a securely fenced area. Their sighthound prey drive is extreme — if they see a squirrel, they're gone at 25 mph and won't hear you calling.
- Sprint sessions: A fenced yard or dog park (with small-dog-only section) for high-speed zoomies. Iggies need to RUN — it's in their DNA.
- ⚠️ Cold weather warning: Iggies have virtually no body fat and a single, thin coat. They're extremely cold-sensitive. Below 15°C (60°F), they need a coat or sweater. In snow or freezing weather, limit outdoor time to quick potty breaks.
- Indoor play (fetch, puzzle toys, flirt pole) satisfies their activity needs when weather is poor.
🍽️ Feeding & Nutrition
- Feed 2 small meals per day — Iggies can be picky eaters but also prone to weight gain if overfed
- Choose high-quality small-breed kibble or fresh food. Omega-3s support their coat and joints
- Portion control is critical — these slender dogs can become overweight quickly, which strains their delicate leg bones
- Avoid rich/fatty foods — sensitive digestive systems
✂️ Grooming & Maintenance
- One of the lowest-maintenance breeds: Single coat, minimal shedding, no "doggy odor"
- Weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush or grooming mitt
- Bathe only when necessary (every few months)
- 🦷 Dental care is CRITICAL: Iggies have small mouths with crowded teeth — they're extremely prone to periodontal disease. Daily tooth brushing + annual dental cleanings are non-negotiable.
- Regular nail trims — those fine, hare-like feet need attention
Care Needs
Exercise
Moderate — short walks + sprint sessions in safe areas
MODERATEGrooming
Very low — minimal shedding, occasional bath
VERY LOWDental Care
Critical — prone to severe dental disease
CRITICALIndoor Living
Indoor only — perfect apartment dog
EXCELLENTCold Sensitivity
Extreme — needs coat/sweater below 15°C (60°F)
HIGHHealth Concerns
Leg fractures, dental disease, luxating patella, PRA
MODERATE🏠 Home Suitability
✅ Ideal Homes
- Apartments or cozy homes — small spaces are perfectly fine
- Quiet, predictable environments — they thrive on routine
- Families without young kids — toddlers and Iggies don't mix
- Pet owners who are home most of the day — remote workers, retirees
- Willing to give them soft beds, warm clothes, and constant love
❌ Not Ideal For
- Households with toddlers or rough pets
- Outdoor-only living — never appropriate for this breed
- Owners who are gone for long hours — separation anxiety is severe
⚕️ Health & Wellness
- 🦴 Leg Fractures (#1 concern): Their extremely slender leg bones (radius, ulna, tibia) are prone to fractures — especially in puppies and young adults. Jumping from furniture, being dropped, or rough play can cause breaks. Use dog ramps or stairs for furniture access.
- 🦷 Dental Disease: Small mouths with crowded teeth = severe periodontal risk. Daily brushing + annual professional cleaning.
- 🦵 Luxating Patella: Slipping kneecaps — common in toy/small breeds.
- 👁️ Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): Genetic eye disease. DNA test available.
- 🧬 Hip Dysplasia & Legg-Calvé-Perthes: Present in the breed.
💡 Fun Facts
25 mph in seconds: Despite their delicate frame, Iggies can reach 40 km/h (25 mph) — faster than any human sprinter. They accelerate so fast they're sometimes called "the Ferrari of toy breeds."
Ancient Roman companions: Iggies appear in 2,000-year-old Roman mosaics and statues. They were the lapdogs of emperors and aristocrats long before any other toy breed existed.
Sock thieves & blanket burrowers: Many Iggy owners call them "sock thieves" — they love soft fabric and will burrow into laundry, under blankets, and inside your sweater. It's instinctive nesting behavior.
Painted by Renaissance masters: Italian Greyhounds appear in paintings by Giotto, Carpaccio, Van Dyck, and Bosch. They were the must-have accessory of Renaissance nobility — the original designer dog.