History
The Italian Greyhounds is a wonderful watchdog and companion dog. This toy breed is the smallest of the Sighthounds. They have a petite waist, long legs, and massive bosoms. These dogs are always the primary attraction of all canine contests. Various cultures spoke about them, and they were immortalized in artworks, paintings, sketches, and statues. The European royals and kings kept them as pets. It is also said that these dogs were even made mummies by the pharaohs. They received the official recognition from the American Kennel Club ( AKC ) in 1886.
Interesting Facts
- An Italian Greyhound named Kermit ( also known as Cermet or Kermie Wormie or Silver Unicorn ) and a Chihuahua called Mr. Marbles performed together ( Google for Jenna Marbles’ video )
- These dogs are allergic to anesthetic from the barbiturate group and are sensitive to organophosphate insecticides
- Many dog lovers consider the phrase “Miniature Italian Greyhound” as offensive, which is used to emphasize its similarity to the bigger Greyhounds albeit with shorter or small phenotypical characteristics.
- Though these dogs are pretty much smart, they are unable to focus for long.
- They still bear their hunting instincts and chase anything moving under the sky, including vehicles.
Temperament & Personality
Though these mini greyhound are somewhat biased for calm ambiances, they could adjust well in both urban and rural households. They are an excellent choice for senior citizens as well as for DINK couples, i.e., double income no kids. They start to bark whenever they heard weird noises or when a stranger comes. These dogs are considered dangerous for young children. These energetic dogs have muscular and flexible body structures. The predator genes of these Gazehounds make them chase or even hunt smaller animals. It is necessary to keep them leashed or in a securely closed space.
Care
Exercise
Daily long walks and running and playing in a big yard keep the miniature Greyhounds active and fit. One should leash them with extreme care as the knot could slip out, for their heads and necks having equal diameters. A Martingale collar does the job better. The owner should make sure that his pet does not get injured or strangled if this acrobatic dog tries to escape.
Grooming
Brushing is necessary to keep the coats of these dogs clean and tidy. Wiping their body is much more preferable than frequent baths to get rid of dirt, seeds, and dust. Sweaters, jackets, collars, jammies, boots, harness vests, jewelry and other accessories specially manufactured for IGs are widely available in brick-and-mortar stores as well as online.
Health Problems
These dogs suffer from periodontal or dental disorders, and hence, frequent brushing of their teeth is essential. Their low bone density makes their bones brittle, and they could suffer from orthopedic issues like a leg break. Other commonly occurring diseases include skin allergies, epilepsy, ear problems, slipped stifle, fractures, progressive retinal atrophy ( PRA ), patellar luxation. One should go for occasional tests like MRI, eye examination, X-rays, skeletal and knee checkups.
Training
Even though AKC says that these dogs are good learners, training them in-house is not an easy task. Early socialization training for Iggy puppies is critical, or else, they will become independent and create embarrassing situations for their owners. Expose these puppies to other animals, kids, and people and teach them to respect their masters as well as their family members. The Italian Greyhounds are intelligent enough to comprehend the meaning of “go to the potty,” especially if they are rewarded well for their achievements and disciplined behaviors.
Feeding
These dogs take around fifteen to twenty minutes to finish their meal. Give them dry dog food twice daily and also plenty of water.
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