Italian Greyhound

AffectionateGentleSensitiveReserved with strangersPlayful indoors

The Italian Greyhound is a small, gentle sighthound that tends to bond closely with its family and often prefers a quiet house to a busy one. Many are reserved with strangers and can be sensitive to harsh handling, so they do best with calm, patient households. With children they are usually best with older, gentle kids who respect their size. They often do well with other dogs but may chase small animals, so supervise around cats and pets.

Day to day, an Italian Greyhound needs short, regular walks, a warm place to rest, and enough indoor play to keep its mind busy. Its thin coat and light frame mean it can feel the cold, so sweaters are common in winter. Keep it on leash outdoors, since its sight-based chase instinct is strong and it can move very fast.

Good for: Quiet homes, adults, owners who want a companion

Size	small
Weight	11 lb
Height	13–15 in
Exercise	about 60 min a day
Shedding	low
Origin	Italy

Before you choose a Italian Greyhound

Their thin skin and fragile legs mean they need gentle handling and a warm, safe home, especially around young children.

Living with a Italian Greyhound

Exercise

Two short walks a day plus a fenced yard or indoor play sessions. Let them run in a secure, enclosed space, as they are fast but tire quickly.

Grooming

Short, fine, low-maintenance coat. Light shedding, weekly brushing is usually enough, with occasional baths and regular nail trims.

Health

Italian Greyhounds can be prone to dental problems, patellar luxation, and fractures from their slender build. Ask your vet about screening and about keeping their teeth clean.