Italian Greyhound
義大利靈緹
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Italian Greyhound is a true Greyhound in miniature — a slender, fine-boned toy sighthound that has been a lapdog of nobility for two thousand years. IGs are alert, playful and deeply affectionate, happiest in a lap or a warm bed, yet they remain coursing hounds that will bolt after anything small and fast. They are sensitive to harsh handling and to cold, and their long, fine legs make fractures a real risk — supervise jumps and rough play.
Facts
| Size | Toy |
|---|---|
| Height | 33–38cm |
| Weight | 3–6.4kg |
| Life expectancy | 14–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy FCI: 10 |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 1/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (a hip condition of small breeds) is reported in the breed. Ask your vet if a young dog shows hind-leg lameness.
Immune-mediated conditions
Immune-mediated conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if your dog has unexplained illness.
Behaviour
Lapdog with a sighthound's instincts
The CKC calls the IG gentle in nature and the epitome of lapdogs, yet says it retains all the sporting instincts of the Whippet in miniature, fitting the smallest accommodation while still enjoying an outdoor run; the AKC says the breed would much rather be in your lap or bed than on the floor, but as a true sighthound will bolt after quick-moving prey, so even an obedience-trained IG should never be off lead in an unfenced area.
Reward-based training, careful handling
The AKC says IGs respond best to reward-based methods — harsh handling simply does not work on these intelligent, sensitive dogs, stubborn though they can be — that playtime usually covers their exercise needs, especially with a second dog, that dog parks are a hazard without a separate small-dog area, and that care is needed to avoid situations that could break a leg. The Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 1 hour of exercise a day.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Italian Greyhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Italian Greyhound (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Italian Greyhound
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Italian Sighthound (standard no. 200, group 10)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page says IGs are a relatively healthy breed despite their delicate look, but lists the conditions owners should watch for — luxating patellas, PRA and primary closed-angle glaucoma, thyroid disease, seizures, autoimmune disorders, allergies, leg injuries and familial enamel hypoplasia of the teeth; it notes that IGs have little cold tolerance because of their short hair and minimal body fat, and recommends annual vet checks of patellas, thyroid and eyes into the dog's senior years.”
— Italian Greyhound Club of America — Health via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Italian Greyhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Italian Greyhound — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Italian Greyhound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Italian Sighthound — FCI standard no. 200 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health — Italian Greyhound Club of America — Italian Greyhound Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.