They will bark to alert you that someone they dont know is approaching. Many owners rub them down with a towel or chamois. Stats from the AKC report that Italian Greyhounds will typically grow to between 13-15 inches tall and weigh between 8-11 pounds. Because of their low weight, small size, and low body fat, they should wear coats when going outside for walks in cold weather. Because of the Italian Greyhound body structure, you should not use a regular buckle collar to walk them. These dogs are companion pets, small game hunters and competitive show dogs. Take note that this breed is very sensitive to extreme temperatures and is not suited for outdoor living. Ive seen a 6 lb iggy that was ridiculously tiny though. Archaeologists have found IG bones throughout Southern Europe in the areas that are now Greece and Turkey, and researchers believe that the dogs were bred as companions to nobility. Caucasian OvcharkaBreed Information 12 Things You Should Know Ours is 5 years old and holding steady at 7.5 lbs. Italian Greyhounds weigh around 10 pounds and have an average life span of 15 years, although some have been known to live close to 20 years. They require no grooming and only an occasional brushing. The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Is This Crossbreed Right For You? Bellas owners have worked really hard at training her and keeping her agile, even as she gets older. Evidence of the Italian Greyhound has appeared in Egyptian tombs dating back 6,000 years. Then theyll stop barking and become slightly agitated and stay close to the people they know. Find out more about this toy dog in our breed profile. The AKC had only been registering breeds for ten years at that point, so this dog was leading the way. This Subreddit is about Italian Greyhounds and those of use that have no choice to but love them 24/7! Currently, Italian Greyhounds rank 72 in popularity on the AKCs list of 193 breeds. Seth Meyers has even carried his dog in a baby carrier. Bella wears both a coat and a hood in the colder temperatures to make sure that she retains her body heat and isnt overexposed to the elements. The Newfypoo Your Guide To The Newfoundland poodle Mix They will run if given the opportunity, and they are fast. Here is Bella as a puppy. By the Middle Ages, the breed had made its way through Europe. Some Iggys are even potty-trained since they avoid cold and water as much as possible. This dog breed does have a list of common health problems. Even an eight- or ten-week-old puppy that youve just brought home can start training, especially house-training which can be difficult. As previously noted, they like to jump sometimes up to places where they shouldnt and therefore are at risk for breaking bones as they are more fragile than they think they are. Press J to jump to the feed. They have a desire to please their owners but might be difficult to house-train. The Cane Corso Price What Is The True Cost Of Buying and Raising a Cane Corso Dog? Tortellini is average Iggy weight at 12lbs. Try Pets Advisers adoption center. Any breeder who decides to list with the CHIC is agreeing to meet breed-specific minimums and have all test results, both good and bad, published on its site. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates, .wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-13583 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-13583 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } Again, the Iggy is sensitive to temperatures and this includes water temperatures. If you stroll the streets of NYC long enough, you might catch a glance of a celebrity walking an IG through the streets. How big have your Italian greyhounds been? The American Bandogge Mastiff Your Ultimate Breed Information Guide A lot of people who own small dogs choose to dress them in clothes or coats. The dogs were sought after and adored so much by the Italians in the 16th century that they came to be known as the Italian Greyhound. There are a lot of adjectives to describe the Italian Greyhound: little, strong, agile, fast, smart, stubborn, loyal, and athletic top the list. This beautiful breed comes in a wide variety of colors. Sachie is a biggie iggy and is between 18-20lbs. As two World Wars raged through Europe, IGs were at risk of becoming extinct. Sometimes its done more to show off how cute their dog is rather than out of a need to protect the dog, but the Italian Greyhound genuinely needs the protection from the elements. That smaller stature makes these little dogs members of the Toy Group, but their personality is far bigger than their body, and theyre known for attempting to do things like jump on top of or off of furniture thats very high because they overestimate their size. If adopting from a shelter or rescue, these tests may not be available. Famous royal owners included Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, Queen Anne of Denmark and Queen Victoria, but it wasnt just European royalty that embraced the Italian Greyhound. Mine are all different sizes. 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The Italian Greyhound is a small, affectionate and fast dog that loves to stick close to its owner. Although Iggys can be shy of strangers, they are affectionate and aim to please their owners. Make sure to dry the dog completely so it is not subjected to chills. This is a breed that you need to start training from a very young age. They still need a daily walk and enjoy free play and running. This small dog looks like a miniature greyhound and is very similar to the larger breed. The AKC recognized the breed in 1886, and the Italian Greyhound Club of America was formed in 1954. The Italian Greyhound should be screened for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, color mutant alopecia, as well as hip, eye, patella, and thyroid issues. Free running and play is always enjoyed, so a trip to the dog park or a large yard would be a bonus. Check this canine health site before adopting an Italian Greyhound. If you do choose to go to a breeder, make sure the breeder is reputable and doesnt exhibit any of the puppy mill warnings. But American Italian Greyhound lovers kept the dog going during the first half of the 1900s, and later helped to repopulate the dog in Europe. These dogs are small dogs but dont tell them that. She has been home with her owners since she was eight weeks old. 12 Things You Should Know About The Rottweiler Pitbull Mix, The Tosa Inu Your Ultimate Breed Information Guide, The American Bandogge Mastiff Your Ultimate Breed Information Guide, The Newfypoo Your Guide To The Newfoundland poodle Mix. Grooming an Iggy requires minimal effort. Weekly brushing is recommended (and daily brushing, if possible), as well as regular nail clippings and cleaning of the ears. In this picture, you can see her stretching and jumping to get a treat. Read on for 13 specific things to know about Italian Greyhounds. Italian Greyhounds have fragile bones and are not recommended for very boisterous homes or large animals as they may pose a threat. CHIC works with the Italian Greyhound parent breed clubs to maintain records and lists of breed-specific health issues. There can be some serious health concerns for the Italian Greyhound. They can also be submissive and very timid; additionally, their fragile bones do not make them ideal for boisterous kids or large active dogs as house companions. The Italian Greyhound goes by at least two nicknames: Iggy and IG. The Italian Greyhound has been treasured by royalty through two centuries. Owning one became a status symbol in Italy during the Renaissance, and many paintings from that time period depict dogs that look exactly like the breed we know today. The Italian Greyhound has a unique body structure, and the length of the dogs neck in addition to how its tapered makes fitting it for a collar a tough task. Theyve been associated with royalty practically from the time that they were first bred, and, just like their relative the Greyhound, are known for their speed. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the breed almost went extinct in Great Britain after World War I. Italian Greyhounds of superior breeding were imported from the United States to continue the breed. But dont underestimate the loyalty of the IG to stay with its owner. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The International Greyhound Club of America (IGCA) participates in the Canine Health Information Center. Some of these links are affiliate links where we may earn commissions on purchases. They dont respond well to punishment, so its best to work with a rewards-based system. King Lobengula from Africa once traded 200 cattle for just one Italian Greyhound. Italian Greyhounds love their people and want to protect them. If finding an Iggy through adoption resources is difficult, you can also check with rescue groups and breeders. There are several more colors that IGs can come in that are not formally recognized. Use a gentle conditioning shampoo made only for dogs and rinse thoroughly. These dogs are small but mighty, and weve just scratched the surface in terms of what you should consider about this breed if youre looking to make one part of your family. Because theyre not incessant barkers like other dogs, there are definitely better breeds to consider if youre looking for a watchdog. The Italian Greyhound is easy to care for and requires moderate exercise. I just read on Wikipedia that Italian greyhounds usually weigh between 8 and 15 pounds, but my normal looking boys are 13 and 19 pounds. For wear around the house only, the Italian Greyhound Club of America recommends a breakaway collar that can quickly and easily be removed if it gets caught on something. They can also be stubborn, and one expert noted about the breed, Just as with your spouse, it usually works best to persuade the Italian Greyhound that doing a particular thing is his own idea. The breeds shorter attention span is something you should consider and work with when training. Some conditions do not appear for several years. This dog breed is a classic case of a big personality in a small body. This small breed is intelligent, playful, fast and active. Def the runt of the litter. Italian Greyhounds prefer to stick close to their owners and can be shy with strangers. Complete Guide to the American Mastiff They do need regular teeth brushing and since they are prone to periodontal disease, this task should not be skipped. Even at almost 14 years old, its easy to see that Bella is still very fast, and still capable of outrunning her owners should she ever get loose outside of her yard. Do your research and make sure an Italian Greyhound will fit in your family. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. As with all breeds, youll find some very passionate Iggy fans in the world, but even they would tell you that this is not a breed for everyone. The Iggy is the smallest dog of the sighthound family with a height of around one foot tall. 12 Things You Should Know About The Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Caucasian OvcharkaBreed Information 12 Things You Should Know, The Canis Panther An Incredible Mix Worth Learning About, Italian Greyhound Height: 13 to 15 inches, Italian Greyhound Coat: Short Coat in Red, Blue, Cream or Black with white markings, Enjoys chasing small game, Good with Children, Health problems / Health Conditions: Epilepsy, Obesity. Having this information is really important to significantly decrease the presence of some genetic issues through screening, resulting in responsible breeding practices. If you can handle regular teeth brushing and want a devoted companion, the Italian Greyhound might be a great fit for you. Cataracts and eye problems (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), Drug sensitivities (usually anesthetics and insecticides), Immune system diseases (typically where the immune system cannot differentiate infectious cells from the Iggys cells and attacks the body), Von Willebrands disease (VWD, a blood clotting disease). Ours is a big biggie and he weighs about 25lbs right now. Bella has a large, fenced-in backyard that allows her to run to her hearts content, giving her the exercise that she needs to keep her healthy and keep her from being too rambunctious inside the house. 17 different officially recognized color combinations, Golden Retriever Dog Breed Information 14 Things to Know, The Boxer Mastiff Mix Dog Breed Information. The vet told us the bigger one named Max is the biggest Iggy he has ever seen, but I thought my smaller Iggy was tiny! Thats another reason why collar choice is so important. The Canis Panther An Incredible Mix Worth Learning About. Cannoli is the smallest, she fluctuates between 8-10lbs. And since you can pay anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000 for an IG puppy, youll want to do everything you can to ensure that its healthy. The Tosa Inu Your Ultimate Breed Information Guide It also increases your chances of getting a healthy puppy if you choose a breeder from their list who has good test results. If you do need or decide to bathe your dog, make sure the temperature is warm not cold or hot. She has the typical IG form with the long tail, sloped back, and long pointed snout. Bella is almost 14 years old. The Italian Greyhound has been around since more than 2,000 years ago. Any remaining shampoo residue can greatly irritate the skin. Mine is 12.5 and shes pretty average sized. They're the perfect weight for their age and sizes. If it does, youll be one lucky owner to have this loyal dog by your side for years to come. The Boxer Mastiff Mix Dog Breed Information This smaller, slender version of the Greyhound has medium-sized, dark eyes, a long tapered tail and comes in all colors (the AKC does not allow brindle or black and tan for showing purposes). While all of these may not plague your pet in particular, its important to observe and recognize signs of these conditions that have been seen in Iggys: Ask to see any health tests performed before obtaining an Italian Greyhound from a breeder. If youre looking for a low maintenance dog in terms of care, this might be the dog for you. As opposed to other dogs like the Rottweiler that have only one color thats acceptable for the breed, the Italian Greyhound has 17 different officially recognized color combinations that meet the breed standard. Italian Greyhounds are sensitive to temperature. Seth Meyers, Uma Thurman, and Sigourney Weaver are all Italian Greyhound owners and have been spotted taking their dogs out for walks. Never let an Italian Greyhound off of its leash. If you consider getting an Italian Greyhound for your next pet, check adoption resources first. However, they also say that you should not walk the dog with that collar, but instead use a martingale collar that wont slip off as its designed to tighten around the dogs neck if it pulls. The Cane Corso Price What Is The True Cost Of Buying and Raising a Cane Corso Dog? This breed is fast and they dont have a sense of danger, and that is a bad combination for a dog. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The dog was first registered with the AKC in 1886. You are very unlikely to be able to catch an IG if one gets away from you. All that being said, IGs are smart dogs, and if youre willing to put the time in, you can train them to do all sorts of things. This small dogs coat is a breeze to groom, but you should be prepared to commit to regular teeth cleaning to combat the high incidence of periodontal disease. They love to run, but only require a moderate amount of exercise every day to keep them healthy and fit. Iggys made their way to England in the 17th century and later to the United States. This breed does not shed much at all and only needs to be bathed when necessary. She weighs 14 pounds and is very healthy for her age. Because of their small size, they dont tend to eat very much, keeping your dog food bill low. Later history shows evidence of the breed 2,000 years ago in areas that are known today as Greece and Turkey. Where relevant and helpful to the reader, we may link to products. We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Is This Crossbreed Right For You? Italian Greyhounds can be pretty active indoors, so they do well in apartments. Even purebred animals can end up in shelters.