Italian Greyhound
A miniature sighthound kept as a companion since antiquity and adored in Renaissance courts, the Italian Greyhound is elegant, affectionate and clean. Delicate and sensitive, it loves warmth and closeness. It suits gentle, indoor-leaning homes who'll guard its fine bones from injury, keep it cosy, and accept that house-training can take patience.
Italian Greyhound scorecard
Overview
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds — a miniature, elegant version of the larger Greyhound, standing only around 33 to 38 cm at the shoulder and typically weighing 3.5 to 5 kg. Fine-boned, deep-chested and built for speed, the breed combines the graceful outline of a racing hound with the size and devotion of a true companion dog. The UK Kennel Club places the Italian Greyhound in the Toy Group, reflecting its role as a lap dog rather than a working hunter, though the sighthound instincts beneath the delicate frame remain very much intact.
Affectionate, clean and remarkably quiet at home, the Italian Greyhound has become a popular choice for people wanting a low-shedding, lap-sized companion with a gentle nature. It is, however, a sensitive and physically delicate breed: the slender legs are prone to injury, the short single coat offers little protection from cold or wet British weather, and house-training can take patience. With a typical lifespan of around 14 to 15 years, an Italian Greyhound is a long-term commitment that suits an owner happy to indulge a dog that wants to be close at all times.
Good to know — a Italian Greyhound is flat-friendly and manageable for committed beginners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The Italian Greyhound is an ancient type, with small greyhound-like dogs depicted in art and artefacts from the Mediterranean and Middle East going back thousands of years. The breed as we recognise it today became firmly associated with Italy during the Renaissance, when miniature sighthounds were prized companions among the nobility and frequently appeared in portraits by Italian and northern European masters.
The dogs were popular at royal and aristocratic courts across Europe, and several British monarchs and notable figures kept them. The breed was developed almost entirely as a companion and ornamental dog rather than a hunter, which explains its toy size and devoted, people-focused temperament. The Kennel Club recognises the Italian Greyhound within its Toy Group, and the breed continues to be bred primarily for companionship in the UK today.
Temperament & family fit
Italian Greyhounds are affectionate, gentle and deeply attached to their people. They thrive on close company and often choose one favourite person, following them from room to room and seeking out warm laps and blankets. Indoors they are typically calm, clean and quiet, with a low tendency to bark, which makes them well suited to flats and smaller homes provided their exercise and warmth needs are met.
Beneath the soft, sensitive exterior is still a sighthound, and the breed retains a notable instinct to chase fast-moving things. Many Italian Greyhounds can be shy or reserved with strangers and easily startled by sudden noise or rough handling, so early, gentle socialisation matters. They can be excellent with considerate older children but are generally less suited to homes with very young or boisterous children, as their fine legs are easily injured during rough or unpredictable play.
- Families with older, respectful children
- Owners ready for consistent training
- Flats or houses with daily exercise
Training & intelligence
Italian Greyhounds are intelligent and willing to please, but they are also sensitive souls who respond very poorly to harsh corrections. Positive, reward-based training using food, praise and play gets far better results than any pressure, and short, upbeat sessions suit their attention span best. Building confidence through gentle exposure to new people, places and sounds during puppyhood helps prevent the timidity the breed can otherwise show.
House-training is widely regarded as one of the breed's challenges, partly because small dogs have small bladders and partly because they dislike going out in cold or wet conditions. Patience, a consistent routine and indoor toileting options in bad weather all help. Because of the strong chase instinct, reliable recall can be difficult, so a secure garden and caution around traffic and open spaces are sensible precautions.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Keep sessions short, calm and consistent
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Italian Greyhound typically needs around an hour a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Grooming an Italian Greyhound is refreshingly simple. The coat is short, fine and single-layered, sheds very little, and needs no more than an occasional wipe with a soft cloth or grooming mitt to keep it sleek. Bathing is rarely needed. The breed's main routine care is dental: small toy breeds are prone to dental disease, so regular tooth-brushing and veterinary dental checks are important. Nails should be kept trimmed, and because the coat offers so little insulation, owners should focus less on grooming and more on keeping the dog warm and protected in poor weather.
- Brush occasionally to remove loose hair
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Italian Greyhounds should be fed a complete, good-quality dog food appropriate to their age, size and activity level, divided into measured daily portions to suit a small, lean-framed dog. The breed is naturally slim and athletic, and a visible waist with easily felt ribs is the correct, healthy outline — owners should resist the urge to round them out. Because they are toy-sized, even small amounts of extra food or treats can have an outsized effect, so treats should be accounted for within the daily ration. Fresh water should always be available, and any sudden change of diet should be made gradually.
Italian Greyhound health & costs
Before bringing a Italian Greyhound home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£200–300 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£12–28 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£0–60 / year
Mostly DIY at home
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
The Italian Greyhound is generally a long-lived breed, with many dogs reaching their mid-teens, but its build brings some specific concerns. The most well-known is the risk of fractures: the slender legs, particularly the lower foreleg bones, can break during jumping, falls or rough play, especially in young dogs, so households should manage furniture heights and supervise play accordingly.
As a toy breed, dental disease is common and benefits from a preventive routine of tooth-brushing and professional dental care. Prospective owners should buy only from breeders who health-test their stock and follow Kennel Club guidance, and should register with a vet for regular preventive check-ups. The short single coat also means these dogs feel the cold acutely, so protection from harsh weather is part of responsible ownership rather than a health condition in itself.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Leg fractures — the fine lower leg bones are prone to breaking from jumps, falls or rough play, particularly in young, growing dogs
- Dental disease — common in toy breeds; regular tooth-brushing and veterinary dental care help prevent it
- Patellar luxation — slipping kneecaps can occur in small breeds and may cause intermittent lameness
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — an inherited eye condition that can lead to vision loss; responsible breeders screen for it
- Sensitivity to cold — the thin single coat offers little insulation, so the breed can become chilled in cold, wet weather
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Italian Greyhound; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Italian Greyhound puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Italian Greyhound
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Affectionate, clean and very low-shedding
- Elegant, lap-sized and quiet at home
Things to consider
- Delicate, fine-boned and prone to injury
- Feels the cold and can be tricky to house-train
Italian Greyhound health & care guides
In-depth, vet-sensible guides written for Italian Greyhound owners:
Compare the Italian Greyhound
See how the Italian Greyhound measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Frequently asked questions
How long do Italian Greyhounds live?
Italian Greyhounds are long-lived for a dog, typically reaching around 12–15 years. As a small, lean breed they often enjoy a good span, but keeping yours at a healthy weight, protecting those delicate legs, staying on top of dental care and seeking prompt vet attention for any problems all help yours reach the upper end of that range.
Why do Italian Greyhounds break their legs so easily?
Italian Greyhounds have very fine, delicate leg bones, so fractures are a genuine breed risk — especially in young dogs leaping on and off furniture or landing awkwardly. Supervise carefully around stairs and sofas, discourage big jumps, and consider ramps or steps. Any sudden lameness, holding up a leg or yelping needs same-day veterinary attention.
Do Italian Greyhounds have dental problems?
Yes — dental disease is one of the breed's most significant health issues. Their small mouths and fine teeth are prone to plaque, tartar, gum disease and early tooth loss. Proactive dental care matters: daily tooth-brushing with dog toothpaste from an early age, vet-recommended dental products and regular check-ups all help protect your dog's teeth and overall health.
Do Italian Greyhounds feel the cold?
Very much so. With a thin coat, fine skin and very little body fat, Italian Greyhounds chill quickly and genuinely need help staying warm. A well-fitted coat or jumper for walks in cold, wet weather, cosy bedding indoors and a warm spot to curl up are essentials rather than luxuries for this delicate breed.
Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs?
Italian Greyhounds are affectionate, devoted companions who bond closely with their people and love comfort and company. They can be sensitive and timid, and their fragile legs make them better suited to calm homes than to households with boisterous, very young children. With gentle, careful handling and sensible supervision they make loving, loyal family pets.
Are Italian Greyhounds easy to house-train?
House-training can take real patience with Italian Greyhounds — they're sensitive, dislike going out in cold or wet weather, and have small bladders. Consistency, a calm routine, frequent opportunities and plenty of gentle praise are key. Many owners use indoor toileting options for bad-weather days. Avoid telling-off, which tends to make a sensitive dog more anxious and slower to learn.
How big do Italian Greyhounds get?
Italian Greyhounds are a true toy-sized sighthound. They typically stand around 32–38cm at the shoulder and weigh roughly 3.5–5kg — fine-boned, slender and elegant. Their small size and delicate build mean gentle handling, careful supervision around furniture and stairs, and protection from knocks and rough play all matter for keeping them safe.
Are Italian Greyhounds sensitive to anaesthetics?
As a sighthound with very low body fat, Italian Greyhounds can be more sensitive to anaesthetics and some medicines than many breeds. This isn't a reason to avoid necessary procedures — including dental treatment — but it's worth discussing with your vet, who will tailor anaesthetic protocols and monitoring appropriately for a lean, fine-boned sighthound.
What eye problems do Italian Greyhounds get?
Italian Greyhounds are predisposed to certain eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which gradually affects sight, and vitreous degeneration. Responsible breeders eye-test their dogs. Any cloudiness, redness, bumping into things or change in vision should be checked by your vet promptly so problems are caught and managed as early as possible.
How can I help my Italian Greyhound live a long, healthy life?
Protect those fragile legs by supervising around furniture and stairs, keep on top of dental care with daily brushing, keep your dog warm with coats and cosy bedding, and stay alert to lameness, eye changes and dental trouble. Add a healthy weight, gentle exercise, routine vet checks and a puppy from health-tested parents for the best foundation.
Are Italian Greyhounds good with children?
Best with older, calm children. As a general guide, Italian Greyhounds tend to be better suited to homes with older children or no young children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does an Italian Greyhound need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Italian Greyhound needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Italian Greyhounds shed a lot?
Minimal shedding. Coat upkeep is wash-and-go — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Italian Greyhounds easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Italian Greyhounds are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Italian Greyhounds bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Italian Greyhounds good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Italian Greyhounds suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Italian Greyhound can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.
Sources
- The Kennel Club — Italian Greyhound breed information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breeds/italian-greyhound/
- PDSA — Dog breeds and choosing a dog: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/getting-a-dog
- Blue Cross — Dog advice and breed guidance: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog
- Royal Veterinary College (RVC) VetCompass — companion animal health research: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) — Italian Greyhound (Piccolo Levriero Italiano) breed standard: https://www.fci.de/en/nomenclature/ITALIAN-SIGHTHOUND-200.html
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.