ToyItaly

Italian Greyhound

The tiny, elegant Velcro greyhound.

Weight: 7–14 lbs
Height: 13–15 in
Lifespan: 13–15 yrs

In short

The Italian Greyhound is a Toy sighthound from Italy, kept as a companion for centuries, weighing 7–14 lbs and living 13–15 years. Its slender legs break easily, especially in young dogs, so jumping from heights and rough play are real risks.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a quiet, cuddly lap dog that can sprint
live in an apartment with access to a fenced area
have older kids or an adult-only home

Think twice if you…

have toddlers or rough-playing kids
want off-leash walks or hikes
expect quick housetraining

The daily plan

Exercise: 45–60 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 30–45 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10

EnergyActive6.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10

SheddingLight shedder1.5/10

What sets it apart

01
Fine, fragile legs
Leg fractures from jumps are common in young dogs, so use ramps and supervise play.
02
Thin, short coat
Very little insulation, so they need a sweater in cold weather.
03
Sighthound eyes
Bred to chase what moves, so recall fails when something runs.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	8–14 lbs	7–12 lbs
Height	13–15 in	13–15 in
Lifespan	13–15 yrs
Coat	Short, fine, glossy single coat

Side profile 13–15 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Italian Greyhounds are affectionate, sensitive and happiest pressed against you under a blanket. They are playful in bursts and lazy the rest of the day.

With kids

Better with older, gentle kids. Their legs can break if dropped or stepped on.

With other pets

Usually great with other dogs, especially other IGs. Small pets may trigger the chase instinct.

With strangers

Reserved or shy with strangers; never force interaction.

Alone time

Prone to separation anxiety. Many do better with a second dog and gradual alone-time training.

Training

Italian Greyhounds learn fast but are sensitive and independent, and they shut down with harsh handling. Housetraining is notoriously slow, especially in cold or wet weather.

How often

2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending while the dog still wants more.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, prioritize gentle handling, new people at a distance and small animals under control, plus short alone times.
Self-control

Recall and calm containment matter most. Practice recall only in fenced areas, and teach crate or pen rest so they don't leap from furniture when excited.
What it works for

Food and warmth are the big motivators. Use tiny, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories, since a few extra treats add up fast at their size.

Exercise

IGs need daily walks plus a chance to sprint safely. Short, fast bursts in a fenced area beat long jogs.

Exercise a day 45–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Sprinting in a securely fenced area
Lure coursing or Fast CAT
Daily leashed walks

Brain work

Trick training
Food puzzles
Scent games indoors

Best home

Good apartment dog; needs a coat in cold weather and must stay leashed outside fenced areas.

Watch for Leg fractures from jumping are common and recall fails when something runs, so keep them leashed or fenced.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Italian Greyhound (7–14 lbs) lands around 275–450 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 325–550 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 35–55 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 275–450 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 30–45 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 1–2 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 375–625 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 40–65 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 225–400 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 25–40 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 1–2 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	325–550 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	35–55 kcal	2–3 pieces
Adult Maintenance	275–450 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	30–45 kcal	1–2 pieces
Active / Working	375–625 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	40–65 kcal	2–3 pieces
Senior	225–400 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	25–40 kcal	1–2 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Broken legs, dental disease and inherited eye disease are the main themes. Daily tooth brushing and preventing jumps from heights help most.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Progressive retinal atrophy and other eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs
Patellar luxation	OFA patella exam	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Hypothyroidism	OFA thyroid panel	In breeding dogs; ask your vet if symptoms appear
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease	OFA hip or Legg-Calvé-Perthes evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)
Familial Enamel Hypoplasia	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Italian Greyhound breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Kneecap (patella) check
Thyroid panel
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma
Familial Enamel Hypoplasia

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Low, year-round

Wipe down weekly with a soft mitt; bathe occasionally. Trim nails every 1–2 weeks, check ears weekly, and brush teeth daily, since IGs are prone to early dental disease.

History

Ancient

Ancient Mediterranean

Small greyhound-type dogs appear in art from the ancient Mediterranean world.
1500s–1700s

Renaissance companion

Italian nobles kept them as companions, and they appear in many Renaissance paintings.
1886

AKC recognition

The AKC recognized the Italian Greyhound in 1886, placing it in the Toy Group.

Questions owners ask

Are Italian Greyhounds easy to train?

Partly. They learn tricks quickly with gentle, reward-based training, but housetraining is often slow and recall is unreliable. Be patient and keep sessions short.

Are Italian Greyhounds good with kids and other pets?

With older, gentle kids and other dogs, yes. Their legs break easily, so they're risky with toddlers, and small pets may trigger chasing.

How much exercise does an Italian Greyhound need?

About 45–60 minutes a day, including walks and a chance to sprint in a fenced area. They spend the rest of the day napping.

Do Italian Greyhounds shed?

Very little. The short coat needs only a weekly wipe-down, but they need a sweater in cold weather and daily tooth brushing.

What health problems do Italian Greyhounds have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 13–15 years. Watch for leg fractures, dental disease, eye disease, patellar luxation and hypothyroidism, and ask for eye and knee results on the parents.

Is an Italian Greyhound good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes, often. They are quiet, small and adaptable, but first-timers must handle slow housetraining, fragile legs and separation anxiety.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Italian Greyhound needs only 1–2 pieces a day, well inside the 30–45 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Italian Greyhound ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.