The name of the breed is a reference to the breed's popularity in Renaissance Italy. Mummified dogs very similar to the Italian Greyhound (or small Greyhounds) have been found in Egypt, and pictorials of small Greyhounds have been found in Pompeii, and they were probably the only accepted companion-dog there. As an amusing aside the expression 'Cave Canem' (Beware of the dog) was a warning to visitors, not that the dogs would attack but to beware of damaging, tripping over or stepping on the small dogs.
Although the small dogs are mainly companionship dogs they have in fact been used for hunting purposes, often in combination with hunting falcons, rat or mice.
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the family of gaze hounds (dogs that hunt by sight). The breed is an old one and is believed to have originated more than 4,000 years ago in the countries now known as Greece and Turkey. This belief is based on the depiction of miniature greyhounds in the early decorative arts of these countries and on the archaeological discovery of small greyhound skeletons. By the Middle Ages, the breed had become distributed throughout Southern Europe and was later a favorite of the Italians of the sixteenth century, among whom miniature dogs were in great demand. Sadly, though, 'designer' breeders tried, and failed, to make the breed even smaller by crossbreeding it with other breeds of dogs. This only led to mutations with deformed skulls, bulging eyes and dental problems. The original Italian Greyhound had almost disappeared when groups of breeders got together and managed to return the breed to normal. From this period onward the history of the breed can be fairly well traced as it spread through Europe, arriving in England in the seventeenth century.
{source: wikipedia}
Italian Greyhounds were often bed warmers to their companions, being dogs that have a high contact body temperature due to their short coat and small size. Most Italian Greyhound owners throughout the World confess to being unwilling and unable to encourage their pups to sleep anywhere other than with them in bed.
Often mistaken for whippets, Italian Greyhounds are smaller and a truly proportionate miniature of the greyhound. An example of the three breeds side by side (left to right Standard Greyhound, Whippet, Italian Greyhound):
Characteristics
| Group: | Group 1 (Toys) |
| General Appearance: | A greyhound in miniature, more slender in all proportions |
| Characteristics: | Elegant, graceful and quick moving |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, affectionate and vivacious, may appear aloof |
| Head And Skull: | Skull long, flat and narrow, slight stop. Muzzle fine and long. Nose dark in colour |
| Eyes: | Rather large, bright; full of expression |
| Ears: | Rose-shaped, placed well back, soft and fine, not pricked |
| Teeth: | Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth even |
| Neck: | Long, gracefully arched |
| Forequarters: | Shoulders long and sloping. Legs straight; well set under shoulders; fine, strong bone and pasterns |
| Body: | Chest deep and narrow. Good length of rib and brisket. Back slightly arched over loin |
| Hindquarters: | Long, well muscled thigh: hind legs parallel when viewed from behind; well bent stifle, hocks well let down |
| Feet: | Hare feet |
| Tail: | Low set, long, fine, carried low |
| Gait/Movement: | High stepping and free action. Front and hind legs to move forward in a straight line with propulsion from behind |
| Coat: | Skin fine and supple. Hair, short, fine and glossy |
| Colour: | Black, blue, cream, fawn, red, white, or any of these colours broken with white. White dogs may be broken with one of these colours. Black or blue with tan markings, or brindle not acceptable |
| Sizes: | Ideal height: 32-38 cms (13-15ins) at withers. Ideal weight: 3.6-4.5 kg (8-10 lbs). Overall type and elegance essential |
| Italian Greyhounds at Forrest Park: | Ziggy Lola Eric |
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