Quirky and sometimes aloof and shy, some neurotic and fearful, many are outgoing and lively. Italian Greyhounds are a mixed bag and much depends on temperament in the breeding behind the dog (nature) as well as appropriate socialisation (nurture). One thing is for sure, most Italian Greyhound owners would agree that these little dogs can be very high maintenance!

Bred as companion dogs for hundreds of years, their desire for companionship is literally inbred, it’s part of their DNA. Italian Greyhounds need company and regular interaction with their human family throughout the day. Italian Greyhounds do not thrive if left alone for long periods of time each day but equally, they need appropriate training to avoid behavioural issues such as separation anxiety.

An intelligent breed which means they need to have mental stimulation to ensure their emotional well-being. Italian Greyhounds are cute but they are dogs and they have canine psychological needs that need to be met to prevent them from becoming bored or frustrated which can also result in behavioural problems. Italian Greyhounds are a busy breed and need interaction. There are a huge range of canine activities that tap into a dog’s natural behaviours that dogs and their owners can enjoy together from canine hoopers, agility, canicross and scent work to name just a few.

Italian Greyhounds are intelligent and quick to learn but not the most ‘biddable’ i.e. they learn quickly what you want them to do but are not always inclined to do it! Always enrol your Italian Greyhound into a puppy class and make sure the training methods are based on positive rewards only. Italian Greyhounds can be quite sensitive and one should avoid punitive training methods.

It is possible to house train an Italian Greyhound but not everyone manages to do so. Social media groups all over the world are full of IG owners lamenting the fact that their IGs keep having “accidents” in the home. They are not accidents – the dogs have decided they prefer to pee / poop indoors. The struggle is real and can be very testing. Anyone bringing an IG into their home must be prepared for a lifetime of dealing with a dog that is not willing to pee and poop outside reliably.

Italian Greyhounds need at least a one hour walk every day, and that should include free-running, off lead where it is safe to do so, to build and maintain their physical strength from a young age. While Italian Greyhounds are small, they are a sighthound with plenty of energy – much more so that their larger Whippet and Greyhound cousins – and they need the physical exercise as well as the mental stimulation that a walk provides. Italian Greyhounds should not be run with large breed dogs to avoid serious accidents that could lead to leg breaks and other fractures.

Italian Greyhounds have a high-prey drive and their recall can be patchy if they’ve spotted a rabbit or a squirrel to chase. Start recall training as early as possible so that your IG can enjoy lead-free walks where it is safe for them to do so. The high prey drive means recall training can take time and require more effort than with many breeds but the persistence does pay off. If your dog does not have reliable recall then search online for your nearest freedom field so that they can run safely in an environment other than your garden.

Many dog owners today take advantage of doggy day care centres and dog walkers to provide care for their IGs when they are at work on a reglar basis, or on one-off occasions as needed. We don’t recommend this for most Italian Greyhounds, and especially not Rescue dogs. There are dogs that enjoy being at day care but it can be a stressful environment and does not suit all dogs. Where a dog walker is used we recommend one-to-one walking with a walker who knows the breed and understands the temperament.

Italian Greyhounds are not hardy and they like their creature comforts. They should always live indoors in your home as part of the family, and be provided with comfortable and warm bedding. If you are considering bringing an Italian Greyhound into your home and require a dog to stay off the furniture, an Italian Greyhound is not the breed for you.

In summary
This is a delightful, entertaining breed that loves to be involved in every aspect of your day. For a small dog they can be very demanding. They are very rewarding as long as your lifestyle suits them otherwise it can go horribly wrong and that’s the case with many of the dogs that are signed over to Rescue – the owners just didn’t know what they were taking on. Make sure you do your research before committing to an Italian Greyhound – they are not right for everyone!