What is an Italian Greyhound?

An Italian Greyhound is a small sighthound breed with ancient roots, a surprisingly big personality, and a very strong opinion about where they sleep (it's usually wherever you are). Sometimes called Iggies by those who love them, they are essentially a Greyhound in miniature, with all the speed, the deep chest, the fine bones and that unmistakable pointy face, just in a much more compact package. They typically stand between 13 and 15 inches tall and weigh around 3.5 to 5kg, making them one of the smallest sighthound breeds around.

Appearance: Italian Greyhounds look exactly like you'd expect a scaled-down Greyhound to look. Long slender legs, a deep narrow chest, fine delicate bones and a short, smooth coat that comes in a range of colours. They are small, but they carry themselves with the kind of quiet confidence that makes them very hard to ignore.

Temperament: Iggies are playful, alert and completely devoted to their people. They are known for being velcro dogs in the truest sense, rarely more than a few steps away from whoever they have decided is their favourite human. They love to lounge and can spend impressive amounts of time doing absolutely nothing, but give them space to run, and they will absolutely floor you with how fast they move. The zoomies are real, and they are something to behold.

Needs: Because they have such a short coat and virtually no body fat, Italian Greyhounds feel the cold deeply. A coat for walks and a warm layer at home are not optional for this breed, they are just part of life with an Iggy. They also need a secure space for off-lead running and do not do well when left alone for long periods, as they bond very deeply with their owners.

A bit of history

Italian Greyhounds are genuinely ancient. Images of small sighthounds that look remarkably similar to the modern Iggy have been found in Egyptian artefacts dating back thousands of years. The breed became particularly popular in Renaissance Italy, which is where their name comes from, and they were a favourite among European nobility for centuries. They are one of the oldest toy breeds still recognised today.

What are Italian Greyhounds like to live with?

Iggies are deeply loving, completely devoted and genuinely one of the most rewarding dogs you can share your home with, but they do come with some characteristics that are worth knowing about before you commit.

The snuggling: Italian Greyhounds do not really understand personal space. They will be under your blanket, on your lap and pressed against you at all times, which most Iggy owners consider a desirable trait rather than a nuisance.

The attachment: These are not dogs that do well being left alone for long stretches. They bond very deeply with their people and can struggle with separation anxiety, so they tend to suit owners who are home a lot.

The house training: This is the one that catches people off guard. Iggies have tiny bladders and a strong personal objection to rain, wind and cold, which can make outdoor toilet training a slow and patient process.

The fragility: Their bones are genuinely fine and delicate. Jumping from height is a real fracture risk, so a few adjustments to your home set up go a long way.

The wardrobe: An Italian Greyhound coat for walks and a warm layer at home are not optional with this breed. They simply do not have the body fat or coat thickness to manage the cold on their own. 

Do Italian Greyhounds need a lot of exercise?

Not as much as you might expect. Italian Greyhounds need around an hour of activity a day, but it doesn't all need to happen at once, and it certainly doesn't need to be intense.

Daily walks: A solid 30 to 60 minutes of walking gives them the mental stimulation and gentle movement they need to stay happy and healthy.

Sprint time: As sighthounds, they absolutely love to run, and given the chance, they will show you exactly what that tiny body is capable of. A secure, enclosed space is really important here, though, as their prey drive means they can be off before you've even noticed.

Indoor play: Fetch, puzzle toys or just a good old chaotic tear around the living room all count. Iggies are surprisingly playful indoors, and it helps keep boredom and anxiety at bay.

A couple of things worth knowing: their fine, delicate bones mean high-impact activities like jumping from height or rough play with bigger dogs are best avoided. And because they have virtually no body fat and a very thin coat, cold and wet weather hits them hard. A properly fitted coat for winter walks isn't a luxury for this breed, it's just part of the routine.

Italian Greyhounds and the cold

This is worth its own mention because it really does matter. Italian Greyhounds have almost no insulation, no undercoat, no body fat to speak of, and very thin skin. Even mild autumn days can leave them shivering. A well-fitted Italian Greyhound coat for walks is essential, and many Iggy owners keep a soft layer on them indoors during cooler months too.

Finding clothes that actually fit an Italian Greyhound properly can be tricky because of their narrow chest and slight build, which is exactly why we stock pieces designed with this breed in mind. Browse our collection of Italian Greyhound coats and clothes at Pointy Faces, made for the real shape of a sighthound.