The Italian Greyhound, otherwise known I.G., is a breed of dogs used to hunt rats, mice or even falcons. This sighthound is the smallest of all Greyhounds. This breed is actually an ancient one, but it became popular during the Renaissance.
This little dog looks very fragile and delicate, but in fact, its body can be quite resistant and powerful. The hound may give the impression that it is a helpless lap dog, but the muscular body and outstanding energy will prove you were wrong. Its head is small with rounded skull. The forehead is wide and slightly protuberant. The eyebrows are prominent and the eyes are large and round. The colour of the eyes is dark and the eyes display a compassionate expression.
The muzzle is finely elongated and narrow. The nose is dark and normal in size. The ears are small and folded back along the head. The neck is thick, long and very muscular. The slender body is beautifully curved, with an arched back and a deep chest. The waist is small and the loin is muscular. The legs are long and slim. The front legs are straight. The tail is carried low and thin.
The coat is smooth and glossy. The colours of the coat may vary. The most common are: gray, red, white, cream, blue and fawn. This delicate dog is 12 to 15 inches (30-38 cm) tall and weighs 6 to 10 pounds (3-5 kg).
The little hound is a well-mannered companion. It is not only loving and caring, but it becomes really useful when it comes to finding rats and mice. It does great as a pet and it would do anything to please its owner. Even if it is a hound, it will not respond at all to a harsh tone or aggressive attitude. Its sensitive character requires a docile, but a firm owner. Whenever you find yourselves in a stressful situation, try not to restrain or cuddle the dog, but to keep it calm. Also, do not suffocate it with affection and protection. Even if it looks fragile, it can manage to handle any situation.
Train it from an early stage to avoid disobedience. Socialize it as a pup to tolerate other animals. It is good with children, but it does not really accommodate with the small, energetic ones. It can easily adapt to city life and it is suitable for apartment life. It is not so active indoors, so you do not need a large yard. It needs long, daily walks and rigorous exercises.
This fellow does not tolerate cold or hot weather. You will need to put some clothes on it when it is cold. The grooming is a pleasure: they need only to be brushed from time to time. Keep its ears clean and bathe it when it is necessary. They can live up to 14 years.
The Italian Greyhound is a fast dog with a sensitive soul who is eager to find a loving owner.
