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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+5
Dogs
# The Italian Greyhound: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Italy
A small elegant, sensitive and lively sighthound, very attached to its family.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–14 yearsBudget ≈ €81/monthPuppy €600 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 20](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=italian-greyhound)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Good
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Limited
Strengths and weaknesses
- Affectionate: He forms a close bond with his family and readily seeks closeness.
- Low shedding: His very short coat generally sheds little and is easy to maintain.
- Compact size: His small size makes indoor life and everyday travel easier.
- Sensitive to cold: Its very fine coat and low body fat make it uncomfortable in low temperatures.
- Gentle reminder: Like many sighthounds, it can take off quickly at a movement and must be exercised in secure areas.
- High sensitivity: It does not tolerate roughness, tension, and overly hectic environments well.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active apartment living: He can live well in the city if his needs for outings and exercise are met.
- Gentle and available households: His sensitivity makes him particularly suited to calm and attentive owners.
- Fans of small sporty dogs: He is suitable for people who want a small size without giving up a lively and elegant dog.
Not recommended for
- Outdoor life: This dog is not made to stay in the cold or live mainly outdoors.
- Owners often absent: Its strong attachment to its loved ones can make long absences difficult to cope with.
- Rough or very active households: It thrives less in an unstable, noisy environment or when handled without gentleness.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
35 cmItalian Greyhound
- Height at the withers
- 32–38 cm
- Weight
- 3–5 kg
- Coat
- Short, fine and silky
- FCI group
- 10
- Origin
- Italy
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Italian Greyhound in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Italian Greyhound descends from very ancient small sighthounds whose traces go back to Ancient Egypt. Having passed through Greece before reaching the Italian peninsula, it particularly distinguished itself during the Renaissance, a period during which it was highly appreciated by the aristocracy and often depicted in painting. The breed was then established and definitively recognized by the FCI in 1956.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Italian Greyhound is a very small-sized dog with a fine, lean and harmonious body, almost fitting into a square. Its head is elongated and narrow, its eyes are dark and expressive, its fine ears are set high, and its tail is low and tapering. Its coat is very short, fine and silky, with coats in shades of black, grey or isabella, white being tolerated on the chest and feet.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Lively, affectionate and docile, the Italian Greyhound is a very sensitive dog that forms a close bond with its loved ones. It is generally reserved with strangers without being aggressive, and retains the fineness of expression and delicacy typical of sighthounds.
Affectionate Playful Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, he likes to alternate playtime, walks and phases of rest in the warmth near his family. Despite his small size, he needs regular exercise to stay balanced and appreciates being able to run in perfectly secure places. His emotional sensitivity leads him to cope poorly with harsh methods and noisy environments.
Training
## Training and socialization
Its training must be early, consistent and exclusively based on gentleness. Encouragement and rewards give much better results than constraint, especially for working on recall and socialization. A calm and regular environment helps this sensitive dog gain confidence and behave well in the city as well as at home.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Italian Greyhound
The purchase price varies depending on the quality of the lineage, the seriousness of the breeding, the screenings carried out and compliance with the standard. You must also anticipate the ongoing costs related to food, veterinary prevention and equipment, notably for comfort in cold weather.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/italian-greyhound/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
Despite its very slender appearance, the Italian Greyhound is not a particularly fragile dog, but it has certain predispositions that justify serious veterinary monitoring and rigorous breeding selection.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/italian-greyhound/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Italian Greyhound needs a quality diet, digestible and suited to its small size, its age and its activity level. Well-measured meals help support its fine musculature without promoting excess weight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/italian-greyhound/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Petit Italian Greyhound is also known as the Italian Greyhound. Its refined silhouette made it a favorite of European courts, notably during the Renaissance, and many ancient works show this small greyhound alongside noble figures.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Italian Greyhound
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Italian Greyhound live in an apartment?
Yes, provided it gets daily outings, play, and a calm environment. Its small size makes indoor living easier, but it must not be deprived of exercise.
### Is the Italian Greyhound suitable as a first dog?
It can suit a first-time adopter if they are gentle, available, and ready to train a sensitive dog with patience and consistency.
### Does the Italian Greyhound shed a lot?
No, its shedding is generally light and its very short coat requires little maintenance, although regular gentle brushing is still recommended.
## Find a Italian Greyhound breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Italian Greyhound breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Italian Greyhound breeders in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/provence-alpes-cote-dazur) [Italian Greyhound breeders in Pays de la Loire3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/pays-de-la-loire) [Italian Greyhound breeders in Grand Est3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/grand-est) [Italian Greyhound breeders in Occitanie3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/occitanie)
### Italian Greyhound breeders by country
[25 breeders of Italian Greyhound in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/italy) [21 breeders of Italian Greyhound in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/germany) [20 breeders of Italian Greyhound in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound) [14 breeders of Italian Greyhound in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/united-kingdom) [11 breeders of Italian Greyhound in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/spain) [5 breeders of Italian Greyhound in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/austria) [4 breeders of Italian Greyhound in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/denmark) [1 breeder of Italian Greyhound in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/croatia) [1 breeder of Italian Greyhound in Poland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound/poland)
[All breeders of Italian Greyhound in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound)
## Ready to welcome a Italian Greyhound?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-italian-greyhound)
## Discover other breeds
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