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.
Tag-Archive for ◊ Greyhound ◊
Lickers, Lovers and pursuers of warmth, Italian Greyhounds have a well-deserved reputation for sticking quite literally to their owners sides and lavishing them with all the affection a Toy breed can muster.
The Italian Greyhounds beautiful soft eyes, pleading expression and sensitive nature suit them to companionship. Not exactly a lap dog – those long legs just don’t fit – Iggies instead seek constant physical contact with their folk..
Notorious for wheedling their way under the covers and draping themselves over their owners, the Iggies physicality is part of the breed’s charm.
Poppet and Tara always find the warmest spot….. maneuvering themselves so as much of their bodies as possible touching mine at all times.
A fellow Iggie owner asked me recently ‘does yours do that thing too, wedging themselves between you and then furniture ‘- we had a good giggle.
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.
Great Greyhound Print
The Greyhound (Italian or mini or Iggie and the standard larger Greyhound) is a strong, muscular dog, built for sprinting over short distances. The Italian Greyhound is the true miniature Greyhound.
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Did you know? With the exception of the cheetah, the Greyhound is the fastest creature on earth.
The Italian Greyhound belongs to the sighthound (or gazehound) group which includes Afghans, Borzoi, Salukis, Deerhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, and Whippets. These are breeds which hunt their quarry primarily by sight rather than scent.
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.