The Italian Greyhound, also known as the Little Italian Greyhound, is a lithe and agile breed. It is believed to have already existed in Ancient Egypt, where it was the pharaohs’ pet. In addition, there are images of him in Renaissance paintings from around the world.
The breed is noted for its ability to run and its loving and family personality. If you want to know all the details about this small but beautiful breed, dedicate the next two minutes to us. Ready @?
Index of contents
- 1 What is the history of the Italian Greyhound breed?
- 2 Characteristics of the Italian Greyhound
- 3 What is the character of the Italian Greyhound like?
- 4 What care does an Italian Greyhound need?
- 5 How to educate an Italian Greyhound?
- 6 Common diseases of the Italian Greyhound breed
What is the history of the Italian Greyhound breed?
The Italian Greyhound is an impressive breed of dog, having survived at least 2000 years. It is possible to find images of him in murals from Turkey, Egypt and Greece, where it was used as a pet.
Being a small dog, it was c Considered a symbol of social status, its popularity rebounded during the Renaissance. Kings, dukes and nobles had an Italian whippet as a pet.
Beginning in 1886, the breed became part of the standard established by the American Kennel Club. During the two world wars, it almost disappeared, but the effort of breeders around the world allowed it to continue to exist today.
Characteristics of the Italian Greyhound
The greyhound is a small dog, even considered a miniature. The muzzle is narrow and elongated, ending in a dark and raised truffle.
The eyes are big round and very expressive, it is easy to guess your mood with them. The color of the iris is brown or black, while the eyelids are dark.
The Greyhound’s ears are small, thin and fine, they rise when the dog adopts an alert position.
The coat is short and silky. The breed standard indicates that it appears in black and yellowish, in addition to the gray Italian Greyhound, one of the most popular. It may also have some white spots on the chest.
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Height of between 32 and 38 cm in males and females |
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Maximum weight of 5 kg in males and females |
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Short, smooth hair, black and tan / yellow, or gray. |
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Cheerful, loving and submissive character |
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Strong health although prone to some diseases |
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Estimated life expectancy of 15 years |
The overall appearance of the Italian greyhound makes him an elegant and pretty dog.
What is the character of the Italian Greyhound like?
Being a running dog, it is excellent for families who enjoy outdoor activities. He loves to play with older children, run after them and chase the ball. Games at home also motivate him, an excellent option when it is not possible to take him out to the park.
If we get used to going for a walk or jog, it is possible to make it a regular exercise partner, respecting its rhythm so as not to tire it out too much and avoid fractures in the legs, a common problem of the breed.
Thanks to its small size and short coat, it is a good dog to live with older people or have it in a small apartment, as long as your need for exercise is respected.
During the day, the italian greyhound is quiet and even a little sensitive to noise, so not recommended for families with young children.
It can be a little scary with strangers, we should not force it to be nice to other people or pets.
What care does an Italian Greyhound need?
Regarding daily care, the main factor to consider is the place of play. If we take him to the park, it is advisable to supervise his games and keep him away from larger dogs, to avoid accidents.
Being small in size and with such short fur, one brushing per week It will be enough. The bathroom is only necessary when dirty, according to physical activity.
On the other hand, it is recommended that the Italian greyhound get used to brushing teeth as a puppy. We owe this complement with a veterinary dental cleaning performed once a year.
The diet must be adapted to the size and age of the dog, taking care not to offer too many canine snacks, to avoid obesity problems. As in any breed of dog, we must provide clean water at all times.
How to educate an Italian Greyhound?
An Italian Greyhound puppy requires correct socialization to prevent him from developing a very scary personality. Introducing him patiently to new environments and people, allowing him to assimilate the unknown situation at his own pace, will create confidence in him and help him feel safe.
We must base the positive reinforcement training, offering caresses, congratulating him and giving him some snacks when he fulfills the orders correctly.
Being such intelligent and sensitive animals, they learn quickly and respond very well to our acceptance. For this reason, we should never yell at them or mistreat them.
Common diseases of the Italian Greyhound breed
Although it is a healthy dog without congenital diseases, it can suffer some health problems. The main one is due to fractures, since his bones are brittle and brittle. For this reason, it is advisable to watch the games, not force the walks and take special care when he is a puppy, to avoid accidentally hurting him.
In addition, you may suffer from:
- Hypothyroidism: It is caused by a malfunction of the thyroid. The hypothyroidism It causes weakness, loss of balance, overweight and high cholesterol.
- Avascular necrosis of the head of the femur: appears in the first months of life. It consists of calcification of the femur bone, causing lameness, muscle atrophy and pain.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: affects the retina of one or both eyes. It results in a slow loss of visual capacity, until it becomes total blindness.