by Kristen Moore

Created on: June 15, 2010

The Italian Greyhound, with its tiny toy-like appearance, often comes off as a fragile and demure breed of dog. Just remember that outward appearances can be deceiving. The Italian Greyhound is actually a durable breed of dog maintaining many different uses. Unfortunately, many know nothing of this breed’s origin and history. Following is a detailed description of the Italian Greyhound.

Origin

The exact age of the Italian Greyhound breed remains unknown, however, breeders do know that this is a very ancient dog. In fact, the tomb of a dog quite similar to the Italian Greyhound was discovered in a 6,000 year old Egyptian tomb. The Phoenicians originally brought this breed to Europe. This dog was developed in Italy, hence the name.

Description

This is an extremely small breed, weighing in around ten 10 pounds. The Italian Greyhound only reaches a mere 13 to 15 inches in height. The breed sports a pointed muzzle and a scissors bite. The Italian Greyhound also maintains small, slender ears and a long, thin neck. A slightly curved tail is another feature of this dog. The Italian Greyhound has very smooth, fine fur that comes in a variety of colors. This breed comes in shades of grey, black and fawn. Some Italian Greyhounds have white markings on their paws and chest.

Personality

This is thought of as a meek and timid breed. This dog is quite demure and submissive. Most Italian Greyhounds are extremely attached to their masters.

Uses

Although this breed was originally used as a racing dog, most Italian Greyhounds today are companion dogs. This breed is so peaceful that they make wonderful companions to most homes. However, it typically does not do well with small children. Children have a tendency to play too rough for this small breed. The Italian Greyhound must be treated gently.

Overall, the Italian Greyhound makes a wonderful companion if you are a serene person without small children in the house. This breed has such a thin coat, that it is extraordinarily sensitive to cold. This dog is really adapted for indoor living and needs a warm area to sleep. It must also wear a coat outdoors in the winter time. Despite the Italian Greyhound being small and demure, it does like to run. Make sure that this dog gets some outdoor exercise everyday so it does not grow bored. This wonderfully serene dog is probably one of the best companion breeds in existence.

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