Italian Greyhounds - A Companion Like No Other
The Sleek, Affectionate IG is a Personable Canine Companion
Apr 15, 2009
Italian Greyhounds - or IGs (pronounced EYE-GEEZ) - are exquisite companions happiest with their person or family. They are often aloof with strangers but eager to make lasting friendships once confidence is gained.
Italian Greyhounds Need Love
Their need for physical contact such as extensive petting sessions and lap time can seem demanding to anyone too busy for such affection. Also, IGs are born with the desire to sleep in bed with their owners, able to get under the covers without any assistance. This is an IG trademark.
By nature, IGs are not yappers like other small breeds and are well-suited to both a large outdoor area and an apartment. Their size lets them receive plenty of exercise following their people around. While they appreciate a fenced yard, they are house dogs and not candidates for cold, outside kennels.
The Active Italian Greyhound
Although they are fast dogs, IGs lack the fanatical will to run of their larger cousins. However, most are born with the instinct to chase anything that moves, including cars. Be careful around traffic as they will dart out into the road to chase a squirrel across the street, trailing their leash behind them. IGs, especially younger dogs, think they can fly. They leap into space, spreading out their fine-boned legs. The highest bed or table holds no terrors for them. But, even a jump down from furniture can bring a broken leg if they land wrong.
Physical Characteristics of the Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound has an easy-care short, sleek coat with minimal shedding. One of the easiest dogs to groom, they require a simple rubdown with a towel – as healthy IGs have no doggy odor. The standard IG is 13 to 15 inches high and weighs between nine and 12 pounds. Regular teeth brushing is important as they are prone to periodontal disease. Nails also grow longer and faster than other breeds. Life expectancy is 13 to 15 years, although 16 to 18 is not unusual.
Training an Italian Greyhound
IGs are intelligent and easily trained as long as training is gentle, interesting, and consistent. They have a strong will and can be stubborn. If training is enjoyable, they are an eager participant. But, even once they have been thoroughly trained, they are often naughty, and are very aware of it. The stubborn nature makes housebreaking an issue. Cold, wet weather makes it even more difficult to persuade an IG to go outside. Owners who install doggy doors, or who paper, pad, or litter box train have the least difficulty, since these ways are agreeable to their strong will. IGs are excellent jumpers, easily clearing 24 inches. When setting up a confinement area, be sure the gate is at least 5 feet, use a door, or expect to come home to something chewed up.
Italian Greyhound History
Although remains of greyhound-like gazehounds have been found in Egyptian tombs and among archeological discoveries from thousands of years ago, there is some question as to whether any of these are actually the Italian Greyhound of today. There is little doubt that sight hounds all have common ancestry in a dog that was probably larger than the current Italian Greyhound and smaller than some of the modern sight hounds. During the sixteenth century, the dog became popular with European nobility, and is portrayed in many paintings of that time. The Italian Greyhound, like many toy varieties, was not bred to serve a master in any way but as a lap dog. In fact, the miniature Greyhound may well be the first breed bred exclusively as a pet.
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