COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - Italy
MOST SUITED AS - Hunter by sight of rabbits and other game; also a family pet.
SIZE
The shoulder height is 32 - 38cm (12 1/2- 15in).
COAT
The coat is fine and short. The colour of this breed is frequently a greyish yellow, black, or slate, perhaps with white on the chest and feet. Flecked versions also exist but are not accepted in all countries.
CARE REQUIRED
These dogs need little grooming. It is usually sufficient to wipe the dog with a cloth to make the coat shine. It is necessary though to check the teeth regularly because tartar is prevalent with this breed. The adult dog is certainly not delicate but until they are about eighteen-months old, they can break a leg rather easily.
CHARACTER
These are gentle, affectionate, and cheerful dogs that are quick and active, intelligent, and compliant.
TRAINING
Generally these are not difficult dogs to train provided their handler is consistent with them. They are often naughty and are aware that they are. It is important that you can see the funny side when things go wrong but this does not mean allowing them to take liberties.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
These dogs get on well with other dogs and cats and they normally also get on well with children, but do not let children treat the dog as a toy. It is obvious that they do not make good playmates for large mastiff style dogs that will easily hurt them with the far larger body mass.. Italian Greyhounds usually get on well with each other and as with most hounds it is recommended that you have more than one of them.
EXERCISE
This active breed likes to run. If possible, let them run freely on an enclosed patch of land.
