Italian Greyhound 2025 Guide: Elegant Temperament & Care 🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

The Italian Greyhound is a miniature sighthound known for its grace, speed, and love of snuggling. This dainty, affectionate breed has ancient roots and a loyal heart, thriving in quiet homes where they can bond deeply with their people. In this 2025 breed guide, you’ll learn how to care for, train, and live happily with an Italian Greyhound. 🐾

📜 Breed Origins

This breed dates back over 2,000 years to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was favored by nobility as a companion and small-game hunter. Despite their tiny size, they’re fast, agile, and elegant. 🇮🇹

🧠 Temperament & Personality

Italian Greyhounds are loving, sensitive, and quietly playful. Traits include:

• Affectionate: Deeply bonded lapdogs
• Shy: Reserved around strangers; thrives on gentle handling
• Playful: Loves short zoomies and indoor games
• Alert: May bark at noises or surprises

🏡 Ideal Home Environment

This breed prefers gentle, calm households and lots of lap time:

• Perfect for seniors, singles, or gentle families
• Homes with warm environments (they dislike the cold)
• Safe, padded flooring to avoid slips or injury

Not ideal for roughhousing children or large boisterous dogs. 🏡

✂️ Coat Type & Grooming

The Italian Greyhound has a short, smooth coat that’s easy to maintain:

• Brushing: Weekly with a soft glove or mitt
• Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks or when needed
• Ear/Nail Care: Clean ears weekly; trim nails every 2–3 weeks

🏃♂️ Exercise & Enrichment

This breed is a sprinter, not a marathoner. Provide:

• Daily short walks or zoomie sessions
• Playful games like fetch or agility indoors
• Puzzle toys for light enrichment

They are happiest with brief, engaging activities and warm naps. 🧠

🍗 Nutrition & Feeding

Feed a small-breed formula with high digestibility and joint support:

• Lean proteins (chicken, fish, turkey)
• Calcium and phosphorus for bone support
• Omega-3s for coat and inflammation reduction

Feed two meals daily. Get custom plans at Ask A Vet. 🍽️

🩺 Common Health Concerns

This breed is long-lived but may face the following:

• Fractures: Delicate bones—supervise active play
• Dental Disease: Requires daily brushing and dental care
• Epilepsy: Manageable with medication and vet care

Use Ask A Vet to screen and manage these conditions. 🩺

🎓 Training & Socialization

They are eager to please but sensitive to tone and stress:

• Use gentle praise and small treats for reinforcement
• Start socialization early to reduce nervous behaviors
• Be patient with housebreaking—it may take time

🧘♂️ Emotional Needs

This is a companion breed that thrives on closeness:

• Provide warm beds, blankets, and cuddles
• They dislike being left alone—consider a pet sitter or companion animal
• Predictable routines reduce anxiety

For separation issues, consult Ask A Vet. 🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts: Is the Italian Greyhound Right for You?

If you're looking for an affectionate, graceful, and low-maintenance companion who brings elegance and heart to your home, the Italian Greyhound may be your perfect match. With patience and love, they make exceptional lifelong friends. ❤️

Need expert help planning care? Start your consult now at Ask A Vet!