Breed Characteristics

Italian Greyhounds are elegant, expressive dogs with distinct traits that future owners should understand. This breed does best in homes where they are not left alone for very long periods. They thrive on companionship and may become anxious if isolated too often because they love their humans. Teaching them to not be worried if you’re gone frequently can be a challenge, so crate training is important in case they need to be left alone for longer periods—to protect them from themselves and their belief they can fly, climb or jump on or over just about anything.

• Loving and people-oriented
• Gentle and sensitive
• Playful but not hyperactive
• No one is a stranger; everyone is a friend
• Occasionally anxious

IGs do like to run like their larger Greyhound and Whippet cousins, but often in short bursts followed by lots of laziness. They get enough exercise running around inside your home, but taking them outside for playtimes, walks and runs is good to get the "zoomies" out of their system. Generally, they are happy being your snuggle buddy or sleeping quietly.

• Loving and people-oriented
• Gentle and sensitive
• Playful but not hyperactive
• No one is a stranger; everyone is a friend
• Occasionally anxious

Italian Greyhounds are sensitive to cold due to their thin coat and low body fat. Sweaters and warm bedding are very much needed in cooler climates.