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 ◊ Italian ◊
Even though Italian Greyhounds are members of the Toy Group, they are ALL HOUND!!
They are true little sighthounds – they can just fly!
Many participate in agility and the racing sport of lure coursing. Quick, athletic and with a true hound instinct Italian Greyhounds will chase.
This means IGs require leashes and high, sturdy fences to prevent the, from darting across the road after a rabbit or dashing off to say hello to a friend.
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.
Introducing my Italian Greyhounds Down Under Poppet and Tara
- Poppet is the darker, older and wiser gal who speaks to you from her heart with her beautiful big eyes
- Tara is the ‘golden child’ (well she likes to think is she is). Tara is younger, more vocal and full of jelly beans
Poppet and Tara my Italian Greyhounds Down Under
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In 48 BC Queen Cleopatra presented Julius Caesar with Italian Greyhound puppies after he conquered Egypt
- Temperament: Affectionate, dependent
- Lifespan: 14-15 years
- Recommended for: Adults, older children
Appearance: The Italian Greyhound is a Greyhound in miniature: slender, long-limbed and fine-boned with a long thin tail and sleek coat.
There is a weight limit of 4.5kg for show dogs but pets can be larger. The most popular colour is fawn but shades from black to white are available.
They have a thin, sensitive face with large dark eyes that speak directly to your heart!
Temperament: The trembling shown by some Italian Greyhounds can signify excitement, nervousness or simply the cold. They are extremely affectionate with their owners but may be ’standoffish’ or timid with strangers. Some retain an instinct to chase and they can catch slower birds or small animals.
Health: Can feel the cold especially in winter
Housepet potential: Italian Greyhounds are ideal housedogs being small, neat and shedding little hair. They are not a breed to live outdoors for any length of time.
Space & exercise: Walks (always on a lead) are recommended although they don’t have to be very long. A secure, fenced area is absolutely needed as they have no road sense and being sighthounds may chase birds and the neighbours cat and before they realise it have ‘raced’ far from home.
Ideal owner: Italian Greyhounds are suited to adults singles or couples or whose families have grown up and/or left home. They are probably not suited to families with small children because they may be injured by boisterous play or being carried around. Children over the age of seven or eight years should be old enough to know how to care for a small dog. They are small and light enough to be the perfect lapdog and cope with living indoors in a townhouse or flat.
Grooming: Minimal grooming is required. Teeth and toenails should be checked frequently. Nails can grow long if kept indoors and will need clipping.
Training: Italian Greyhounds, like other sighthounds, are not renowned for their trainability. They run for the sheer joy of running or chasing and this can be a problem if they won’t respond to their owners commands. Firm but gentle handling is recommended.
Uses: The Italian Greyhound is primarily a companion dog and is good at being carried around and cuddled.
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.