When do italian greyhounds reach full size

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Italian greyhound. By Chad Taylor Updated September 03, Breed Group Group Breed Group herding hound hybrid non-sporting none sporting terrier toy working. Dog Size Size Dog Size extra large lbs. Other Traits Traits Other Traits apartment-friendly cold weather tolerant easy to groom easy to train good for first-time pet owners good hiking companion high potential for weight gain high prey drive highly territorial hot weather tolerant hypoallergenic loves water low prey drive prone to health issues requires lots of grooming strong loyalty tendencies tendency to chew tolerates being alone.

Temperament Temperament Temperament aggressive aloof anxious friendly gentle outgoing playful protective timid willful. Italian Greyhound. With their barrel chests, slender legs, and long head, Italian greyhounds look a lot like their greyhound cousin—just much smaller. Young Italian Greyhound resting on young girl's lap on boat. An Italian greyhound's favorite place? In your lap!

These dogs love being around their humans and don't do well when left alone for extended amounts of time. Italian greyhounds live well with canine siblings.

But, because of their history as hunters, they might be tempted to chase smaller family pets, including cats. Living Needs. Though super speedy, Italian greyhounds might get too distracted to shine during agility competitions. But they can be star students in lure competitions. Whenever your Italian greyhound is outside, she'll need to be inside a fenced yard or on a leash. Otherwise, she just might bolt after a passing squirrel—and she's so fast that you're not going to catch up with her.

Italian greyhounds , unlike some other dogs, don't have an undercoat so their shedding is minimal. That said, they still DO shed so to minimize that, you should brush them frequently with a rubber brush and use conditioner when you bathe them. A fit IG can even make a good jogging partner.

The Italian Greyhound has a gentle personality, loving and affectionate with family members, but often reserved or shy with strangers… Like many small breeds, the IG can be difficult to housetrain, and some dogs are never completely trustworthy in the house. These little dogs have lots of energy, especially as puppies and young adults, but in their golden years they'll often adapt to the activity level of their owners. A daily walk will help your Italian Greyhound get his ya-yas out, but make sure to keep him on a leash.

Italian Greyhounds are clingy with their owners and need a great deal of companionship. They do not like being left alone for more than a few hours and tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing.

Potential health problems. Injuries lead the list, from fractured legs and toes to torn ligaments. The Italian Greyhound is sensitive, alert, smart, and playful.

He's affectionate with his family, and loves to snuggle with you and stick close to your side all day. Strangers may see a more shy, reserved side of his personality.

Overweight Italian Greyhounds can suffer from both short and long-term health effects from being allowed to remain overweight, similar to what happens in people too. It is vital to keep an Italian Greyhound at a proper weight to contribute to a long healthy life.

While Italian Greyhounds will adjust to most climates they do not do well in cold wintery weather because of their short haired, single coat mane that will not retain heat. These lean running machines are svelt in every way, and the narrow, pointed mouths means little to no drool.

If there is drool, and it's not from lapping up water, then there may be a problem. A slight bit now and again is not a problem, but if there is a lot, or it's foamy, thick or discolored, there may be a problem. She may have eaten a toxic bug or plant, could have something stuck in her teeth, or may have a digestive issue that requires veterinary attention. As this breed does have a poor dental profile, however, it might not be unusual for an issue to develop here that might cause unusual drooling.

As for Italian Greyhound shedding, these very short-coated dogs are said to be one of the easiest breeds to deal with. A weekly bath is said to be the best thing, and as these are very small dogs whose coats are very easy to wash and dry, it might be as easy as brushing a longer-haired dog.

Even if they do shed, you most likely won't see it. IGs are not prone to allergy issues, and they have nearly no allergens or dander that should affect those with dog allergies too. Italian Greyhounds are small, sleek dogs that can easily get overweight if improperly fed, neglected, or incorrectly exercised. This breed must be kept on mother's milk until they are weaned. Otherwise, they could develop diet-based problems that are sure to cause health and developmental problems later in life, if not skeletal and other internal injuries too.

Just as one year for you or me equals 7 years for a dog, so too does a little food go a long way for a small breed like the Iggy. You might be tempted to feed her more, but you really must take care to learn about fat, protein, and carb values for these dogs. A cheap dog food or any diet high in fat is not good for IGs, as they are high-strung and extremely energetic and need a higher protein-based food.

Tiny amounts of food left out for brief periods several times a day is what many pro Iggy breeders and owners tend to claim is best for these puppies. If they need more, add a very small amount more in each feeding. If she seems to be gaining weight, however, you will want to cut back as well as exercise more, or perhaps carefully change the food.

A fat Italian Greyhound may not look fat at first but remember: these are small dogs who can quickly become obese. Both diet and exercise can quickly change this dog's physique one way or another. If she is getting plenty of proper exercise but is still too big, it may be time to swap dog foods. Iggys have fragile constitutions. It's recommended that a new Italian Greyhound food be transitioned in by tenths rather than quarters, and that the typical week to 10 day-period for that dog food transition is fine.

People who have too little time to devote, who have unruly children, who expect instant and unerring obedience, who expect their dog to stay in the back yard, or who are embarrassed to share love with an animal should not own this breed.

They require and demand lots of love and attention. Denied this, they can become shy or hyper or both. They must be properly socialized as puppies. Those that are kennel raised under impersonal conditions can have difficulty adjusting. If expected to spend much time outdoors they are not suitable for cold climates. Italian Greyhounds are very athletic, and their jumping and climbing abilities can get them into trouble.

Babygating does not work as they can jump so high. They also have no traffic sense, and an IG that gets into the street is almost destined to be hit. Since they are hounds, they can be quite stubborn. All dogs should learn to stay in a crate quietly for short periods of time, up to three or four hours; but a crate should not be used to confine an IG all day long every day while its owner is at work or play.

Dogs are not intended to be caged animals like laboratory rats. The Italian Greyhound goes back a long way in history as does the large Greyhound, probably originating as long as 2, years ago in the areas that are now the countries of Greece and Turkey. A small sighthound is depicted in the early art works of these nations, and bones indicating a dog of this type have been found in archeological sites.

The breed became popular in Southern Europe during the Middle Ages and by the 16th Century many were depicted in Italian paintings and sculpture. It is for this reason, not because of its origin, that the little hound became known as the Italian Greyhound.

Its larger cousin, the Whippet, originating in England in the 19th Century, is a relatively new breed that started as a mixture of large Greyhound and terrier and later incorporated some Italian Greyhound blood to add refinement. It is a well known fact that Frederick the Great was a great fan of this breed and was almost always seen with one or more of them.

There is some question whether the IG was originally intended to hunt small game or vermin or mainly to be a beloved companion.

Most likely both of these theories are true. Many IGs have a strong instinct to hunt and chase. Others have none, since, at least during the past century or so, they have not been bred for this characteristic.