Italian Hound

Italian Hound History

The Italian Greyhound is a strong, sleek, and graceful sighthound with a silky gray coat and a long, tapered tail. The adult Italian Greyhound stands 14–17 inches tall at the shoulder (the length from the base of the skull to the tip of the nose) and weighs 16–30 pounds. The history of the breed is not well documented, but the Italian Greyhound has been depicted in paintings since the Renaissance. In the 18th century, the greyhounds were popular among the French royal court. The century after the French Revolution saw a decline in the breed, which was largely confined to the region of Lombardy in Northern Italy. A group of Italian Greyhound enthusiasts, led by Mario Miozzi, worked to re-establish the pedigree of the dogs and restore the bloodlines in the 20th century.

Italian Hound Physical Characteristics

The Italian Greyhound is a small, toy-sized breed that typically stands between 11 and 15 1/2 inches at the shoulders and weighs between 6 and 12 1/2 pounds. They have a relatively short, sleek, muscular body with short legs and a long tail. They have pointed ears, large, wide-set, almond-shaped eyes, and an elongated skull with a short nose. The coat is smooth and fine and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. They are energetic, friendly, and affectionate dogs.

Italian Hound Health

Description of breed health.

Italian Hound Temperament and Behaviour

The Italian Hound is an energetic, playful and sensitive dog that is quick to bond with their owner. They are generally good with older children, but should be supervised around toddlers. They are smart and eager to learn, but can become stubborn if they are not properly trained. They are known to be highly protective of their owners.

Italian Hound Activity Requirements

The eye-catching Italian Greyhound is one of the world’s smallest sighthounds. They are typically sweet and shy, but can be stubborn. The Italian Greyhound does not need much space or exercise and makes a great companion for apartment dwellers. A daily walk or quick jog can be a great way to keep the Italian Greyhound happy and healthy. They do not need a lot of space and don’t need to go on long, strenuous walks. A short, brisk walk around the neighborhood can be enough to keep your Italian Greyhound content.

Kennel Club Recognition