Breeds in the Toy Group of Dogs

Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is probably the first breed to have been bred as a lapdog; there is evidence of the breed from the time of the Pharaohs where mummified remains have been found  in tombs, and it is believed that the Romans brought the Italian Greyhound to Rome in the 6th century BC where he became a pampered favourite of the wealthy.  The Italian Greyhound arrived in the UK in the 17th century; amongst their illustrious owners were Mary, Queen of Scots, Charles I, Frederick the Great of Russia and Queen Victoria. He has been included in paintings by the Renaissance artists Carpaccio and van Eyck.

The Italian Greyhound is a gentle dog with an affectionate nature but as a sighthound he is a little unreliable if something catches his eye and needs a secure environment to exercise in as he does enjoy a gallop.  As youngsters their limbs are quite fragile so good early rearing is important to protect him from hurting himself.

His extremely fine, glossy coat is in a range of colours, both solid and broken with white though black or blue with tan markings and brindle are not allowed. Height is up to 15" and he is very lightly built, maximum weight being 4.5kg.  The Italian Greyhound is very much a scaled-down Greyhound with many of his attributes of gentleness and grace and the hounds tendency to aloofness with those he does not know. Certainly not a dog for a household with  noisy, energetic children.

Click here to read the Italian Greyhound Breed Standard. 

Italian Greyhound Breed Clubs

ITALIAN GREYHOUND CLUB

Italian Greyhound Rescue and Rehoming

Italian Greyhound Rescue If you need to re-home your own Italian Greyhound or wish to give a loving and caring home to a rescue please contact Mrs Shirley Penrose-Hansell, (Rescue Coordinator) Cheshire. Tel: 0161 428 0142 or email

Italian Greyhound Breeders

Tamilay

If you are looking for a puppy contact the Breed Clubs and the Breeders listed and visit the puppyfinder website where there is a great deal of information on hereditary conditions.  If you are a Breeder and wish to advertise your puppies puppyfinder is an excellent showcase.