This very old breed is Italian in name only, since there is evidence that it existed in Egypt some 2000 years ago. It was for several centuries the favourite of Italian nobility and this is no doubt the origin of its present-day name. Very much a true miniature version of the Greyhound, this tiny toy breed still carries the instincts of the hunting sighthound, although its size restricts its possibilities somewhat! A very slender, graceful dog with fine bones, the Italian Greyhound is not as delicate as it looks, at least physically. It should not, however, be allowed to run with bigger dogs and children need to be conscious of its size when playing. The Iggy, or IG, as its breeders call it, has a quiet, reserved, gentle, affectionate nature and may have a tendency to timidity.
Archive for the Category ◊ History ◊
- A dog similar to today’s Italian Greyhound was found in a 6000 year old Egyptian tomb.
- Like the standard Greyhound, the Italian Greyhound was taken to Europe by the Phoenicians. The breed was later developed by the Romans. This is how this breed got its name.
- A small Greyhound was found in an ancient lava flow in Pompeii.
- During the sixteenth century, the Italian Greyhound became popular with European nobility, and is portrayed in many paintings of that time.
- The breed was loved by Catherine the Great of Russia, James I of England, Anne of Denmark and Queen Victoria, among others.
- Frederick the Great of Prussia liked his little Italian Greyhound so much, he even took one to war with him. When his Italian Greyhound died, he buried him with his own hands on the grounds of his Sands Souci Palace. In 1991, Frederick’s family granted his dying wishes and transferred his remains to Sans Souci, and placed them beside his little Italian Greyhound.
- A nineteenth century African chieftain was so taken with these delightful dogs that he offered 200 cattle in exchange for a single dog.
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A famous painting of Catherine the Great of Russia pictured with one of her favourite Italian Greyhounds
Italian Greyhounds often appeared with European Royalty including:
- Mary Queen of Scots 1542-87
- Princess Anne of Denmark 1574-1619
- Charles 1 1600-49
- Queen Victoria 1819-1901 and
- Frederick the Great of Prussia 1712-86 whose Italian Greyhound apparently accompanied him on his military campaigns plus
- Catherine the Great of Russia (pictured here) 1729-96 had her favourite Italian Greyhound “Zemira” buried in Peterhof Park and a porcelain figurine of the hound kept in the Grand Hall of the Peterhof Palace.
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In 48 BC Queen Cleopatra presented Julius Caesar with Italian Greyhound puppies after he conquered Egypt
Italian Greyhounds are NOT Italian at all …..
Italian Greyhounds in History
Italian Greyhounds are believed to be the first dog bred soley as pets. They can reach speeds of 60kph, making them useful small game hunters and coursing racers but generally these doggies are much happier laying in front of the fire or heater, curled up on the couch or even better still tucked up under blankets in your bed!
Mummified dogs very similar to the Italian Greyhound have been found in Egypt, and pictorials of small Greyhounds have been found in Pompeii, and they were probably the only accepted companion-dog there.
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the family of sighthounds (dogs that hunt by sight). The breed is an old one and is believed to have originated more than 4,000 years ago in the countries now known as Greece and Turkey. This belief is based on the depiction of miniature greyhounds in the early decorative arts of these countries and on the archaeological discovery of small greyhound skeletons. By the Middle Ages, the breed had become distributed throughout Southern Europe and was later a favourite of the Italians of the sixteenth century, among whom miniature dogs were in great demand.
Sadly, though, ‘designer’ breeders tried, and failed, to make the breed even smaller by crossbreeding it with other breeds of dogs. This only lead to mutations with deformed skulls, bulging eyes and dental problems.
The original Italian Greyhound had almost disappeared when groups of breeders got together and managed to return the breed to normal. From this period onward the history of the breed can be fairly well traced as it spread through Europe, arriving in England in the seventeenth century.