The Amazing Miniature Italian Greyhound Dog

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Mini Italian Greyhound Dog Breed

The Miniature Italian Greyhound also called mini greyhound or mini Italian greyhound is a remarkable dog of grace and refinement. He is similar to the Greyhound but in a smaller size. If he needs to exercise, he is also a dog who appreciates the cozy comfort of a house. The Mini Italian Greyhound is docile, affectionate, and very attached to its owners.it is one of the fastest dog breeds

Origins and History

The miniature Italian Greyhound is a very old breed and it is difficult to trace its origins. We know that the Egyptians already had small Greyhounds. It seems that these dogs, or at least their ancestors, have been around since 3000 BC.

miniature italian greyhound
miniature greyhound
mini italian greyhound — italian greyhound

Be careful not to confuse it with Greyhound Greyhounds! Although they may be from the same family, they are two separate breeds. During the Renaissance, greyhounds accompanied noble people to the castle and some Parties and banquets. It was used a little for small game hunting, but period paintings show that its main role was that of a companion.

the Miniature Italian Greyhound, who was found to be elegant and precious, was appreciated for his grace and his qualities as a companion dog. This little dog has seduced great characters through the ages, such as François 1er, Catherine de Médicis or Louis XV who made him their favorite companion.

Later, Alphonse De Lamartine who adored his mini Italian greyhound to which he had a great attachment, easily accepted to pose with his favorites for paintings and he devoted beautiful verses to them. When he mentioned his Miniature Italian Greyhound, Alphonse De Lamartine said: ” They are not dogs, but four-legged birds “.

Description and characteristics of the Miniature Italian Greyhound

The Miniature Italian Greyhound is a small greyhound dog breeds. He is also the smallest of the greyhound family. It has the same fine muscular body which gives it a very particular elegance and refinement. His appearance is very harmonious especially when he moves. the mini Italian greyhound has a very fast gallop.

the miniature greyhound head is narrow and elongated in shape with a long, pointed muzzle. Its skull is half the length of its head and it has a dark-colored nose, as well as wide-open nostrils. His round eyes are very expressive and his tiny ears are set high and folded back on themselves. The tail of the miniature greyhound, covered with short hair, is carried straight and curved in its upper half.

Miniature Greyhound dress is made of fine, silky short hairs all over his body, looking shiny like satin.

Physical appearance of the Italian miniature greyhound

Size: Between 32 to 38 cm
Weight: Between 7 and 15 lbs
Canine category: graioid (greyhound type)
Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years (and over)
Coat Type: Short, fine coat, silky to the touch and shiny like satin. His skin is thin and supple. The dress is black, gray (blue), sand (beige), or Isabelle (yellow-brown). There may be white on the chest and feet. Dogs that require very little maintenance; people with allergies tolerate it very well

Character and Behavior Of the Miniature Italian Greyhound

Do Italian greyhounds make good pets?

The miniature Italian Greyhound dog is well suited to sports masters. At first glance shy, as soon as he feels confident, the Mini Italian Greyhound is a very cheerful pet that brings life to the house. Moreover, he appreciates the presence of children with whom he can play.

Miniature Greyhound Character

the Mini Italian Greyhound is distinguished by an extremely docile character. He is also an intelligent dog who is very affectionate and attached to his owners. He especially appreciates the softness and comfort of his home and enjoys spending time sleeping. He does not support loneliness well and needs a very present owner.

But it is also, because of its origins as a hunting and racing dog, a dog that needs physical exercise and in particular to exert itself by running, galloping, and jumping, especially when it is young.

Miniature Greyhound Behavior

At first glance shy, as soon as he feels confident, the Mini Italian Greyhound is a very cheerful pet that brings life to the house. Moreover, he appreciates the presence of children with whom he can play. However, he has a marked character that requires a firm education from the time he is small.

He is a sensitive, alert, and very playful companion. Raised for centuries for rabbit hunting, mini greyhound dog loves chasing his prey and this instinct tends to erase all the teachings received from his master. Its “runaway-hunter” behavior cannot be controlled, so make sure your yard fence has no small holes if you leave it outside without a leash.

Loneliness does not suit him at all: he is a very affectionate companion dog who desperately needs to receive the attention and affection from his family. Otherwise, a Miniature Italian Greyhound dog will develop separation anxiety and destructive behaviors, such as gnawing at objects or barking inadvertently. If you are present, on the other hand, he will return it to you a hundredfold.

A perfect dog for family life

The Miniature Italian Greyhound are in the vast majority of very gentle dogs who love to be affectionate. However, be careful with the face of young children, as they can sometimes be clumsy with their large paws.

The physical activity of Miniature Italian Greyhound

Contrary to what their athletic build suggests, they are dogs that require little exercise. Of course, like any puppy, play periods are necessary, but must always be supervised. They are good sprinters but have little endurance. So after intense playtime or walking, they can snuggle up to sleep for several hours. Mini Italian Greyhound can be very good dogs for an activity such as agility, as they are very fast and are able to do impressive jumps.

The Italian miniature greyhound puppy is not a very good swimmer, but he may like to swim. It is recommended to use a life jacket to limit the risk of accidents.

Miniature Italian Greyhound Care

Much of what you can do to keep your mini Italian greyhound dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch his diet, make sure she gets plenty of exercises, regularly brush his teeth and coat, and call a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual (see “What to Watch For” below). Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for the miniature greyhound dog. This is when we’ll give him the necessary “check-ups” and test for diseases and conditions that are common in Miniature Italian Greyhound dogs. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs.

How to take care of your Mini Italian Greyhound: his needs

The Mini Italian Greyhound adapts very well to living in an apartment, provided that its owner can take it out regularly for walks where it can exercise as it pleases.

the Mini greyhound dog doesn’t shed much hair. Regular brushing is enough to maintain his dress.

Miniature Italian Greyhound Diet

The miniature greyhound must benefit from a very good quality diet, adapted to his age, his state of health, and his physical exercise. It must be rich in calcium and proteins, especially during its growth. It is also advisable to offer him dry food instead because his teeth are fragile.

Routine Care and Exercise

Build his routine care into your schedule to help your mini greyhound live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during his lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine.

mini Italian greyhound generally has good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
Clean his ears weekly, even as a puppy.
miniature greyhound is well suited for apartment living; he will need a daily walk and regular inside play.
Due to his assertive nature and small size, the mini Italian greyhound is not recommended for homes with small children.
Keep your dog’s diet consistent and don’t give him people food.
Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for his age.
Exercise your mini greyhound regularly, but don’t overdo it at first.

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Mini Italian Greyhound Training

One of the most important things you can teach your Miniature Greyhound Puppy right away is where and when to “go potty”, “do its business”, “make”, “you know”. Whatever we choose to call it a great deal of trouble, heartache, anger, and frustration is wasted on doggy house soiling problems. You have a clean slate, a brand new puppy. Here are some pointers to help you teach your new family member proper house manners. Do not give miniature greyhound Puppy full run of the house. One room at a time is enough to start with. Remember a puppy does not view carpet as an expensive home furnishing. It is either a wonderful chew toy or a convenient toilet. Money has no importance to dogs except as a nice snack. Keep this thought in your mind at all times;

the Mini Italian Greyhound dogs also need to be tethered to a responsible person. If no one is watching, the puppy should be safely in a crate or attached to someone. the mini Italian greyhound is inquisitive little bundles of incredible energy and speed. If you bend over to “catch it in the act” and take the puppy outside, your Italian Greyhound puppy is more than likely going to take off running. By the time you catch your little monster, there will be no connection between potty, carpet, and outside. If you have a leash attached you can gently lead your puppy to the appropriate place and reward when it goes in the right place.

The health of the Mini Italian Greyhound

Do Italian Greyhounds have health problems?

Although it can live for many years, the Italian Greyhound has slightly more fragile health than its congeners. Choosing a puppy with strong genetics is important in limiting the risk of inherited diseases and other health conditions. The skin, eyes, and teeth are especially important to watch out for. Here are the most common diseases:

Allergies
Progressive retinal atrophy
Skin cancer (caused by sun exposure)
Cataract
Cryptorchidism
Vitreous humor degeneration (eye disorder)
Hip dysplasia
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism
Patella dislocation
Legg-Perthes-Calvé disease
Von Willebrand disease
Oral diseases
Portosystemic shunt

It is essential to deal with a responsible breeder who tests his breeding dogs against the main hereditary diseases. They should show you the results of these tests and offer you a 2-year health guarantee. Take your precautions if you are buying through a classified ad site.

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Notes and advice

He was the favorite dog of many crowned heads (for example Charles I of England and Frederick the Great, who harbored an almost morbid passion for this breed). Although Italian, this miniature greyhound is not very common in this country and it is difficult to find a puppy.

Miniature Italian Greyhound Facts

The miniature greyhound dog is a true hound and enjoys outdoor activity as well as the luxuries of home.
The Italian Greyhound can be difficult to housetrain, which means he is not always a perfect candidate for apartment living unless you can stay on top of his need to go out or teach him to use a litter box or papers.
The Italian Greyhound has a fine, short coat that is simple to groom and comes in most colors and patterns. The coat sheds very little.
The IG is highly athletic and is capable of jumping onto tables and countertops.
Italian Greyhounds enjoy dog sports such as lure coursing, agility, rally, and even weight pulling.
The Mini Italian Greyhound can live happily in an apartment, and while he needs to be given enough exercise to keep him tired out when he’s young, he’ll settle into a comfortable routine once the puppy years are behind him.
The Italian Greyhound is not a very good swimmer
The miniature Italian Greyhound dog is also very sensitive to dogs. Being originally hunters and having a strong tendency to flee when in fear, recall can be difficult. A dressage course would be appropriate.

Names for the Miniature Italian Greyhound

For a female Piccolo Levriero Italiano, the names Neptune, Daisy, Poppy will be preferred. The names Oscar, Hagrid, Milo go well with the male.

Purchasing and Adopting an Italian Greyhound

How Much Does an Miniature Italian Greyhound Cost?

Miniature Italian Greyhound price is not so expensive but You can adopt an Italian Greyhound at a much lower cost than buying one from a breeder. The cost to adopt a Miniature Italian Greyhound is around $300 in order to cover the expenses of caring for the dog before adoption. In contrast, buying Mini Italian Greyhound from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. Depending on their breeding, they usually cost anywhere from $600-$1,200.

Where Can I Adopt an Miniature Greyhound Puppy?

The easiest way to adopt a Mini Italian Greyhound puppy would be through a rescue that specializes in Italian Greyhounds. A great place to start would be by starting a breed search on Adopt-a-Pet.com. The search will show you all the available Italian Greyhounds in your area.
Italian Greyhound Shelters and Rescues
There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for Miniature Italian Greyhound puppies. Browse the list of Italian Greyhound rescues and shelters near you, below.

Where Can I Find a Mini Italian Greyhound Breeder?

We recommend you rescue a miniature Italian Greyhound (or any dog) before you buy a puppy from a breeder. There are millions of homeless dogs across the country, many of which are purebred and who need homes. Adopting an Italian Greyhound can be life-changing — not only for the dog but also for the adopter.

If you’re not convinced and your intention is to buy an Italian Greyhound from a breeder, it is safest to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder. When working with a breeder verify that the breeder you’re purchasing from does genetic testing of their animals and be sure to verify the puppy’s health information. Also, make sure that the breeder will take back any pets they sell if for any reason the pet cannot stay in their home and that the breeder will commit to finding those pets a new home if needed.

Please understand that you may have to drive several hundred miles in order to find a reputable, safe, and dependable breeder to purchase Italian Greyhound and you’ll be paying $600 more on average. Imagine all the chew toys and dog sweaters you could get if you adopted an Italian Greyhound instead!