Dog breed · Toy / Sighthound
Italian Greyhound
A miniature sighthound bred purely as a companion for centuries, combining a racy, athletic build with a gentle, clingy nature. They are fast and playful in short bursts, but fragile and cold-sensitive.
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Breed characteristics
- Group
- Toy / Sighthound
- Origin
- Italy
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 3.5–5.5 kg (8–12 lb)
- Height
- 32–38 cm
- Lifespan
- 13–15 years
- Coat
- Very short, fine, single coat
- Temperament
- AffectionateSensitiveAlertElegant
History
Depicted in Mediterranean art for over 2,000 years and refined as an aristocratic lapdog in Italy during the Renaissance.
Appearance
A finely built miniature greyhound shape with a deep chest, arched back and thin, fine-boned legs.
Exercise and activity
20–30 minutes daily including some off-lead sprinting in a secure area, balanced by long periods of napping under blankets.
Care and grooming
Coats need almost no grooming, but a jumper or coat is genuinely necessary in cold weather, and dental care matters since toy sighthounds are prone to dental disease.
Health considerations
- Leg fractures (fine bones are easily broken by jumps or falls)
- Patellar luxation
- Dental disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Honest challenges
Before choosing a Italian Greyhound
- Treat the breed profile as a starting point, not a guarantee of temperament. Meet the individual and discuss its history, needs and behaviour with the rescue or responsible breeder.
- Check your routine can support the activity described here: 20–30 minutes daily including some off-lead sprinting in a secure area, balanced by long periods of napping under blankets. Allow for age, weather, health and recovery rather than imposing a fixed target.
- Ask the breeder or rescue and your vet about problems reported in this breed (such as Patellar luxation, Dental disease, Progressive retinal atrophy, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease), which of them have recognised screening tests, and the parents' results where relevant. Screening reduces some uncertainty but cannot promise a healthy lifetime.
- Plan grooming, veterinary costs and care during holidays. Children and other pets still need careful introductions and supervision whatever a breed's typical rating.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- Dogs Trust — dog care, behaviour and welfare advice