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Italian GreyhoundThe Italian Greyhound is a small breed of dog, specifically a member of the sight hound family and member of the toy group. They are sometimes called an "I.G.", or "Italians" for short. The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sight hounds, typically weighing about 7 to 11 lbs and standing about 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder or withers (just behind the base of the neck). Though they are in the "toy" group based on their weight, they are larger than other dogs in the category due to their slender bodies, so owners must be careful when sizing clothing or accommodations.
The Italian Greyhound's chest is deep, with a tucked up abdomen, long slender legs and a long neck that tapers down to a small head. The face is long and pointed, like a full sized greyhound. Overall, they look like "miniature" Greyhounds, though many Italian Greyhound owners dispute the use of the term "miniature Greyhound," in reference to the breed itself. By definition of the American Kennel Club[3] - they are true genetic greyhounds, with a bloodline extending back over 2000 years. Their current small stature is a function of selective breeding. Their gait is distinctive and should be high stepping and free. They are able to run at top speed with a double suspension gallop, and can achieve a top speed of up to 25mph.
The color of the coat is a subject of much discussion. In the UK, the USA, and Australia, parti colored Italian Greyhounds are accepted, while the FCI standards adhered to in Europe allows white only on the chest and feet.
The modern Italian Greyhound's appearance is a result of breeders throughout Europe, particularly Austrian, German, Italian, Frenchand United Kingdom {english}breeders, making great contributions to the forming of this breed. The Italian Greyhound should resemble a small Greyhound, or rather a Sloughi, though they are in appearance more elegant and graceful.
The Italian Greyhound is affectionate and makes a good companion dog. The breed is excellent for families and enjoys the company of people. While they are excellent with children, the breed's slim build and short coat make them somewhat fragile, and injury can result from rough play.
Although the Italian Greyhound appears fragile, they have some characteristics of larger dogs. Their large, strong lungs enables a bark that is deeper than one might expect from a small dog.
The breed is equally at home in the city or the country and does not require as much exercise as larger breeds, although they are fast, agile and athletic. The young dog is often particularly active, and this high level of activity may lead them to attempt ill-advised feats of athleticism that can result in injury. They enjoy running as fast as they possibly can, typically faster than other larger dogs.
In general the Italian Greyhound is intelligent, but they often have a "what's in it for me" attitude and do not exactly throw themselves into training with great excitement, so patience, firmness, gentleness and reward in training seem to work best. The are also known for their mischievous ingenuity; despite a high center of gravity, they can easily walk upright on their hind legs to reach items up on tables. They may also use their 'hidden talent' of jumping to unusual heights to reach high-up items of interest or desire to them.
Italian Greyhounds make reasonably good watchdogs, as they bark at unfamiliar sounds. They may also bark at passers-by and other animals. However, they often get along well with other dogs and cats they are raised with. They are not good guard dogs as they are often aloof with strangers and easily spooked to run.
Due to their slim build and extremely short coat, Italian Greyhounds are at times reluctant to go outside in cold or wet weather, so some owners lay old newspaper on the floor near an exit so their pets can relieve themselves. Some respond well to dog-litter training as well. This breed tends to gravitate to warm places, curl up with other dogs or humans, or burrow into blankets and under cushions for warmth.
As gazehounds, Italian Greyhounds instinctively hunt by sight and have an extremely high predator drive. Owners of Italian Greyhounds typically keep their dogs leashed at all times when not in an enclosed area to avoid the risk of even a well-behaved pet breaking away at high speed after a small animal. Also, a short leash is highly suggested to owners due to reports of animals breaking their own necks when running a full lead mounted to the ground or a wall. Sometimes a dog harness is a good option; since the IG has a tapering neck and small head, they can often "slip" their collar and leash. This can also be used to avoid the above mentioned neck injury if your dog is prone to bolting. This also gives the dog the freedom of a long leash.
Owners of Italian Greyhounds should be extremely mindful of any unknown dogs, no matter what size, because Italian Greyhounds can be extremely territorial, and may even "have a go" at any larger unknown dogs on their property.
Like most small breeds, Italian Greyhounds have small bladders. Housebreaking progresses with training and patience, but still at a slower pace than with larger breeds. Italian Greyhounds are known for their lack of bladder control in comparison to other dogs. This is thought to be due to the bladder muscle in the dog being far too weak and due to many generations of breeding without removing the undesirable genetic traits.
Italian Greyhounds eating habits are different than that of most dogs. The quantity of food and timing of when they eat is sporadic. They generally eat when they want to as opposed to at a fixed feeding time and they only consume needed portions. Unlike many other dogs and except in rare cases, overfilling an Italian Greyhound's food bowl will not result in overeating.
Dogs of this breed have an extremely short and almost odorless coat that requires little more than an occasional bath, but a wipe-down with a damp cloth is recommended after walks as seeds, burrs and floating dust in the air can get into the coat and irritate the skin. Shedding is typical as of other breeds, but the hair that is shed is extremely short and fine and is easily vacuumed.
The teeth of an Italian Greyhound should be brushed regularly. Their scissor-bite and thin jaw bones make them susceptible to periodontal disease, which can be avoided with good dental care.
Health: Health problems that can be found in the
breed:
Epilepsy
Legg-Perthes disease (degeneration of the hip)
Patellar Luxation (slipped stifles)
von Willebrand disease (vWD) (Bleeding disorder)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Color Dilution Alopecia (hair loss in dilute pigmented
dogs, ie: blues, blue fawns, etc)
Leg Breaks
Cataracts
Vitreous Degeneration
Liver shunts
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Periodontal disease, gum recession, early tooth loss,
bad tooth enamel
Responsible breeders will routinely check their dogs for
the onset of various inherited disorders, these commonly
include (but are not limited to): CERF examinations on eyes,
OFA patellar examinations, OFA thyroid function panels, von
Willebrand's factor, OFA hip and Legg-Perthes disease x-rays,
and others.
History: The name of the breed is a reference to the
breed's popularity in renaissance Italy. Mummified dogs very
similar to the Italian Greyhound (or small Greyhounds) have
been found in Egypt, and pictorials of small Greyhounds have
been found in Pompeii, and they were probably the only
accepted companion-dog there. As an amusing aside the
expression 'Cave Canem' (Beware of the dog) was a warning to
visitors, not that the dogs would attack but to beware of
damaging the small dogs.
Although the small dogs are mainly companionship dogs they
have in fact been used for hunting purposes, often in
combination with hunting falcons.
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the family of
gazehounds (dogs that hunt by sight). The breed is an old one
and is believed to have originated more than 2,000 years ago
in the countries now known as Greece and Turkey. This belief
is based on the depiction of miniature greyhounds in the early
decorative arts of these countries and on the archaeological
discovery of small greyhound skeletons.
By the Middle Ages, the breed had become distributed
throughout Southern Europe and was later a favorite of the
Italians of the sixteenth century, among whom miniature dogs
were in great demand. It is, in fact, due to its popularity in
Italy at this time that the breed became known as the
"Italian Greyhound." From this period onward the
history of the breed can be fairly well traced as it spread
through Europe, arriving in England in the seventeenth
century.
Italian Greyhounds in the arts: The grace of the
breed has prompted several artists to include the dogs in
paintings, among others Velasquez, Pisanello and Giotto. The
breed has been popular with royalty throughout, among the best
known royal aficionados were Mary Stuart, Queen Anne, Queen
Victoria, Catherine The Great, Frederick the Great and the
Norwegian Queen Maud.
Activities: Some Italian Greyhounds enjoy dog
agility. The breed's lithe body and its love of action enable
it to potentially do well at this sport, although not many IGs
participate and their natural inclination is for straight-out
racing rather than for working tightly as a team with a
handler on a technical course.
Lure coursing is another activity well-fitted to the
Italian Greyhound, and they seem to enjoy it tremendously.
Although the Italian Greyhound is a very fast dog, it is not
as well suited to racing as its larger cousin.
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