Italian Greyhound
it-AL-yuhn GRAY-hownd
Italy· Italy, historically tied to Mediterranean courts
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds, a delicate, elegant toy breed developed to be a companion rather than a working hunter.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Toy
Exercise needs
30-40 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Flat or any size home
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
14-15 years
Town or country
Either, happy in town
Garden size needed
None needed
Where it comes from
Origins of the Italian Greyhound
Refined over centuries in Italian and wider European courts, the breed's fine bones and short coat reflect a life spent as an indoor companion rather than an outdoor working dog.
- Region
- Italy, historically tied to Mediterranean courts
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate Mediterranean
- Original job
- Companion dog for nobility
The long read
About the breed
Miniature greyhound-type dogs appear in Mediterranean art and archaeology going back over two thousand years, and by the sixteenth century the breed had become fashionable among Italian nobility, giving it its modern name. It was a favourite of European royal courts for centuries, kept by figures including Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great, valued purely for elegance and companionship rather than any working role.
Living with an Italian Greyhound means accommodating a genuinely fragile dog; its fine bones, particularly in the legs, fracture easily from jumps off furniture or rough play, and many owners furnish ramps or steps to protect their dog from injury. It is affectionate and often quite clingy with its own family, frequently seeking out warm laps and blankets, and dislikes cold weather intensely, needing a coat for winter walks. Despite its small size it has a genuine sighthound streak and enjoys short bursts of fast running, though it is not a breed that needs long endurance exercise.
Today the Italian Greyhound is popular as an apartment-friendly companion, suited to owners who can manage its fragility and its tendency toward separation anxiety if left alone often. It is not generally recommended for households with boisterous young children, given how easily it can be hurt in a fall or a rough hug.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
4/5
How openly the Italian Greyhound greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
Sensitive and responds best to gentle, reward-based methods.
Energy
3/5
Enjoys short bursts of speed but does not need long exercise.
Barking
3/5
Can be vocal, especially when anxious.
Grooming
1/5
Short coat needs minimal grooming but little insulation.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Italian Greyhound is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
4/5
Affectionate and often quite clingy with its family.
Independence
2/5
Dislikes being left alone for long periods.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Italian Greyhound's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Black
Standard colour
A solid, glossy standard colour.
Blue
Standard colour
A soft grey-blue shade within standard.
Red
Standard colour
A warm solid red, commonly seen.
Fawn
Standard colour
A pale tan shade, one of the most common colours.
Cream
Standard colour
A pale, soft variant within standard.
Timeline
History & development
antiquity
Mediterranean miniature sighthounds
Small greyhound-type dogs appear in art and burial sites across the Mediterranean world.
1500s
Rise among Italian nobility
The breed became fashionable in Italian courts, giving rise to its modern name.
1700s-1800s
European royal favourite
Monarchs including Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great kept the breed as companions.
1886
AKC recognition
The Italian Greyhound was recognised by the American Kennel Club.
1950s onward
The breed today
Kennel club registrations settled into a steady pattern and the Italian Greyhound moved from a working specialist to a family companion, with breed clubs in the UK and abroad now focused on health testing and keeping true type alive.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Deep chest, arched back.
- coat
- Short, glossy, fine.
- ears
- Rose-shaped, small.
- eyes
- Dark, bright, alert.
- gait
- High-stepping, free, effortless.
- head
- Long, narrow, flat skull.
- size
- Toy
- tail
- Long, low-set, carried low.
- colour
- Black, Blue, Red, Fawn, Cream. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in sociability, energy, trainability. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Miniature greyhound, refined and graceful.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Leg fractures
Watch closely
Fine bones fracture easily; use ramps or steps rather than letting the dog jump.
Periodontal disease
Screen for it
Toy breeds are prone to dental issues; regular brushing and check-ups help.
Patellar luxation
Screen for it
Ask breeders whether parents have been checked for kneecap stability.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Screen for it
DNA testing is available and worth asking about.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Italian Greyhounds added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
Loading the wall…
Made for the Italian Greyhound
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Italian Greyhound illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Italian Greyhound Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Italian Greyhound illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Italian Greyhound Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Italian Greyhound illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Italian Greyhound Mug
Ceramic mug with the Italian Greyhound illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Drying Towel Robe
Microfibre robe that soaks up a wet-walk shake.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Italian Greyhound video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
Watch now