Italian greyhounds?

Question

I am thinking about rescuing an italian greyhound but I need some information.

What is their temperment?
Do they do will with other animals (small dog and cat)?
What kind of medical problems do they face?
Will it be okay in an apartment?

Also any other information you have would be wonderful - thanks so much!!

My cat is 10 yrs old and not very active and I have a pom puppy almost 7 months old

Answer 1

The Italian Greyhound is a gentle, submissive and affectionate dog. They become very attached to their masters and can be reserved with strangers. Playful and intelligent, generally these dogs are not difficult to train provided their handler is consistent with them. They are often naughty and are aware of it. It is important that you can see the funny side when things go wrong but this does not mean allowing them to take advantage of you. This dog can be high strung and timid and must be handled very gently. This is a pet for a quiet household where there are no lively children, although they do get along well with behaved children and other dogs and cats. In a stressful situation it needs constant reassurance by stroking. They are very dependent and peaceful. It can be snappish if it is frightened. This breed can be difficult to housebreak. They are generally easy to get along with and take care of. This dog is extremely fast! Young Italian Greyhounds are very active. They can climb wire fencing and are very inquisitive - jumping from chair to table tops to nearby furniture. They are not good companions for large dogs. They do get along well with other Italian Greyhounds and some recommend that you have more than one of this fine breed.

My major concerns would be:


Fragility. Too many people acquire an Italian Greyhound puppy without understanding how incredibly spindly and fragile it is. You can seriously injure or kill an Italian Greyhound puppy by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. Leg fractures are extremely common in young Italian Greyhounds, who believe they can fly and will launch themselves out of your arms or off the back of your sofa.

Italian Greyhound puppies are NOT suited to small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to an Italian Greyhound puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Italian Greyhound adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result.


Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Italian Greyhounds need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.

Providing room to exercise. Italian Greyhounds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy through all-out galloping. They prefer to exercise in short bursts, suddenly tearing pell-mell around the yard. Without some space to move, they will practically run up the walls of your house.

Italian Greyhounds cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that catches their attention.


Timidity. Standoffish by nature, Italian Greyhounds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspicion, which are difficult to live with.

The independent temperament. Italian Greyhounds are not Golden Retrievers. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. Most Italian Greyhounds are stubborn and can be manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

To teach your Italian Greyhound to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Italian Greyhound Training Page discusses the program you need.


Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Italian Greyhounds are extremely sensitive to stress and can end up literally sick to their stomachs, with severe digestive upsets and neurotic behaviors, if the people in their home are having family problems. Sighthounds are peaceful, sensitive dogs who need a peaceful, harmonious home.

Housebreaking problems. As a behavioral consultant, I would put the Italian Greyhound on my Top 20 List of "Hard to Housebreak." Consistent crate training is mandatory. Sometimes a doggy door is necessary. And some owners never do get their Italian Greyhounds fully housebroken.

Answer 2

For me, definitely a Whippet. I've been looking into the breed for almost 4 years, and I think a Whippet will be my next dog (although I don't plan to get a third dog for at least few years at the earliest). A Greyhound would be wonderful, but I don't want a dog quite that large. Not saying I never will, just not at this point in my life. An Italian Greyhound would also fit into my life well, but I have two small dogs now, and I'm ready to go back to a more medium sized breed for my next dog. I considered dozens of breeds, but I always came back to the Whippet. While there is no "perfect" dog, a Whippet is just about everything I want in a dog, and fits me and my lifestyle perfectly.

Answer 3

I think rescuing pets is great.

1. Good temperment, but like people each dog is different.

2. Mostly good with other pets, but if you have a cat then you might want to test them together. They have a pretty high prey drive and like to chase (and sometimes bite) fast furry things.

3. Some thin skin issues but all breeds have some kind of med issues. A mix will have less.

4. Would do great in an apartment but still needs walks everyday.

Answer 4

Italian greyhounds are sweet loving lap dogs. They are very fragile and very nervous of other dogs and people they do not know. Rescues can be very traumatized and may have anxiety issues. They usually do well with other dogs, but may not do well with cats if they were not raised with them because they are sighthounds and were bred to chase animals and prey. That instinct could be a problem. Ask lots of questions about the dog you want to adopt they will let you know about the dogs personality and wether it will be good with other dogs or cats.

Answer 5

They are the sweetest dogs. Very loyal to their master, excellent lapdogs that love to be under the covers to sleep. My son has one that's 2 years old and he has the best temperment I ever saw. He never growled or bit anyone, he loves to play with other dogs. And very seldom barks. They are an excellent dog for an apartment and can even be trained to go in a litterbox for dogs if you are away alot and can't get home. He never had any medical problems yet . Although some say they can break their legs easy as they are so little. They are very lovable and affectionate. I wouldn't hesitate to get one.

Answer 6

We adopted two Italian Greyhounds that had been passed through five households in two years without housetraining. Our female adopted Great Dane was very old at the time and we also have huge yellow indoor Tom Cat. The Greyhounds were very difficult and willful at first. Paper training works pretty well. As smart as they are I wish I could teach them to use the toilet. The crate helped but they had been so ignored they just peed through the side. They were wonderful with our old girl. Their playfulness and sweetness to her gave her many months that I am sure she would not have had without them. The cat is another story. He still doesn't like them and they do not like him. So they each occupy a sacrosanct floor of the house. I can not imagine having these dogs without a yard. The Great Dane would have been a wonderful apartment dog but these boys launch themselves off of the porch at full speed squeaking with joy when they go out. They then proceed to circumnavigate the small yard at dizzying speed all the while arguing with each other (not watching where they run). It is a sight. I understand they are delicate but during one of these forays one of them ran into a 200 pound concrete planter. I thought for sure the dog would be dead or at the vary least broken into multiple pieces but it staggered a bit and took off again. This is also a smart breed. With little or no training, I have taught them to retrieve. Protecting the house from the mail person is a task they take seriously. At first they would rip it out of the mailperson's hand when it was pushed through the door. If they were not in time to enforce their terror and the mail made it inside they would mark it. Two years into this relationship, they are "mostly" trained having responded not at all to anger but really well to treats. They are amazingly affectionate. But there is a down side. While our Great Dane could be trusted for hours alone these boys go to the bathroom every few hours. Which means to us that we have to get up early and let them out. Rain and cold have a huge impact on these almost hairless thin deer-like creatures. They are sweet to everyone, old and young but move too quickly for really small children. And their really quick movement can frighten a little one. We have also had a difficult time breaking them of putting their paws on anyone who comes in the door. They adjust quickly from protecting to wanting attention but what I call "jumping" is not polite and frightening to children. I have adopted many breeds but most have been large. And while this breed has its challenges mostly that it requires so much attention, it is the sweetest of all the dogs I have known. They start and end the day in a warm pile next to me with their heads buried under my arm pit. This is a great dog for an adult who is really consistent, is looking for a sweet companion, and likes a dog that doesn't shed much. But this is not a good dog for an apartment. They need to run multiple times every day.

Answer 7

My friend has been adopting Greyhounds for over 15 years. They make the sweetest pets and almost always get along with other pets after a few days of getting used to each other.

Answer 8

Italian Greyhounds are notoriously high strung (worse so than their standard versions) nervous around strangers, children, and strange animals, and extremely difficult to train due to their apparent ADD.

However, they are very loyal, affectionate, and entertaining, as you can imagine. If you're prepared to need sedation any time your vet needs to look at anything closely for whatever reason then rescue away :)

Answer 9

They love to run but are lap dogs. They do well with any dogs and cats. They face genetic problems and broken legs, they arent as fragile as they seem its only the legs. They are great for apartment life. They don't need a big area and need normal walking time. They are scared of the cold and you might need to by them a sweater if you do live somewhere cold. ALWAYS keep them leashed they will chase everything in their sight. They are extremely friendly. They do seem to be a little stubborn maybe its mine , remember to always give positive reinforcement, they dont do well to a yell. Be gentle with them, they love to hide under blankets, they are also alert .

Thanks for saving a life

Answer 10

Italian greyhounds are sometimes a little skittish, but I know they're very sweet and kind.