Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Bringing Home an Italian Greyhound
Bringing home a pet is an exciting occasion but there are some questions you should ask yourself before you go out and purchase/adopt an animal.
1. Italian greyhounds have specific needs, are you aware of this?
Italian greyhounds are a relatively sturdy breed but there are a couple of main health concerns and some inherited conditions that owners should know about. Please see Health.
2. Just like people, IGs need daily teeth brushing, is this something you are willing to do?
This breed is highly susceptible to periodontal disease. This breed can start to lose teeth between the ages of 1 - 3 years from poor dental hygeine.
3. Are you aware that their nails need to be maintain at least twice a week?
Nails that aren't maintained properly can splinter and cause infection which can become painful when the dog tries to walk. This condition not only affects how the dog walks but can also affect skeletal and ligament health as well as the IGs posture.
4. Are you aware that it takes longer to potty train Italian Greyhounds and do you have the patience for this?
Like most toy breeds, it takes the IG longer to become house trained. In fact, unlike other breeds, the IG will not inform you when it needs to go outside for a bathroom break. You will need to create a schedule and stick to it. Accidents happen but you should know that IGs do not respond well to negative reinforcement, harsh punishment doesn't work. Positive reinforcement is needed for all manners of training purposes for this breed.
Most Italian greyhounds are put up for adoption/rescued because their original owner did not have the patience for the breed, especially when it came to house training them.
5. Do you have a fenced yard and is it IG proof? Are you willing to walk your dog on a leash at all times?
Italian greyhounds being part of the gazehound family, they can't help themselves when it comes to chasing something (e.g., squirrel). It is important to have an enclosed yard and it must not have any spaces that the dog can squeeze its small self through. Electric fences are not recommended because it still allows other animals into the yard (e.g., other dogs) and sometimes the electric fence doesn't always stop the IG from moving past it.
As stated above, IGs can't help themselves when they see something they want to chase. For this reason, IGs should always be walked/exercised on a leash when out in public. No amount of commands is going to bring your dog back.
6. Do you have the time to regularly exercise and play with the IG?
The Italian greyhound is a high energy breed and needs a good amount of exercise to burn away some of their energy. Taking long walks is a good method.
7. Do you crave personal space?
If you crave personal space, the Italian greyhound is not the breed for you. This breed is very loyal and affectionate. It loves to be where you are, these are not an independent breed. The IG also does not like to be left alone for long periods of time. This breed also craves warmth and has a tendency to sleep in your bed (sometimes under the covers), in addition to curling up against you on the couch.
8. Do you have small children or other pets in the household?
Italian Greyhound are a very sensitive and delicate breed. Small children have the potential to rough handle the dog and may cause undue harm. The same could be said for large dogs that may already be a part of your household who just want to have some fun and play around. Accidents can happen. Unless you are willing to supervise closely, these two situations are not recommended. On the other hand, IGs do you get along with other dogs and cats. Care just needs to be taken when introducing them.
9. Do you have the resources (money) in case something happens to your IG (e.g., breaks a leg)?
According to the Italian Greyhound Rescue of Western Pennsylvania, 20% of IGs with break a leg. In most cases, in order to fix the leg a metal plate will need to be surgically inserted and the cost of this is $1500 - $2000 (US dollars). Do you have this kind of money at you disposal?
10. Do you plan on only keeping your IG outdoors?
Italian greyhounds are not outdoor pets. With their coat being short hair and very little fat on the body, this breed does not tolerate, wet, windy or cold weather because it will freeze quickly. In fact, if you wish to take the dog out for a walk or let outside in your backyard in this type of weather, you will need to clothe the dog.
1. Italian greyhounds have specific needs, are you aware of this?
Italian greyhounds are a relatively sturdy breed but there are a couple of main health concerns and some inherited conditions that owners should know about. Please see Health.
2. Just like people, IGs need daily teeth brushing, is this something you are willing to do?
This breed is highly susceptible to periodontal disease. This breed can start to lose teeth between the ages of 1 - 3 years from poor dental hygeine.
3. Are you aware that their nails need to be maintain at least twice a week?
Nails that aren't maintained properly can splinter and cause infection which can become painful when the dog tries to walk. This condition not only affects how the dog walks but can also affect skeletal and ligament health as well as the IGs posture.
4. Are you aware that it takes longer to potty train Italian Greyhounds and do you have the patience for this?
Like most toy breeds, it takes the IG longer to become house trained. In fact, unlike other breeds, the IG will not inform you when it needs to go outside for a bathroom break. You will need to create a schedule and stick to it. Accidents happen but you should know that IGs do not respond well to negative reinforcement, harsh punishment doesn't work. Positive reinforcement is needed for all manners of training purposes for this breed.
Most Italian greyhounds are put up for adoption/rescued because their original owner did not have the patience for the breed, especially when it came to house training them.
5. Do you have a fenced yard and is it IG proof? Are you willing to walk your dog on a leash at all times?
Italian greyhounds being part of the gazehound family, they can't help themselves when it comes to chasing something (e.g., squirrel). It is important to have an enclosed yard and it must not have any spaces that the dog can squeeze its small self through. Electric fences are not recommended because it still allows other animals into the yard (e.g., other dogs) and sometimes the electric fence doesn't always stop the IG from moving past it.
As stated above, IGs can't help themselves when they see something they want to chase. For this reason, IGs should always be walked/exercised on a leash when out in public. No amount of commands is going to bring your dog back.
6. Do you have the time to regularly exercise and play with the IG?
The Italian greyhound is a high energy breed and needs a good amount of exercise to burn away some of their energy. Taking long walks is a good method.
7. Do you crave personal space?
If you crave personal space, the Italian greyhound is not the breed for you. This breed is very loyal and affectionate. It loves to be where you are, these are not an independent breed. The IG also does not like to be left alone for long periods of time. This breed also craves warmth and has a tendency to sleep in your bed (sometimes under the covers), in addition to curling up against you on the couch.
8. Do you have small children or other pets in the household?
Italian Greyhound are a very sensitive and delicate breed. Small children have the potential to rough handle the dog and may cause undue harm. The same could be said for large dogs that may already be a part of your household who just want to have some fun and play around. Accidents can happen. Unless you are willing to supervise closely, these two situations are not recommended. On the other hand, IGs do you get along with other dogs and cats. Care just needs to be taken when introducing them.
9. Do you have the resources (money) in case something happens to your IG (e.g., breaks a leg)?
According to the Italian Greyhound Rescue of Western Pennsylvania, 20% of IGs with break a leg. In most cases, in order to fix the leg a metal plate will need to be surgically inserted and the cost of this is $1500 - $2000 (US dollars). Do you have this kind of money at you disposal?
10. Do you plan on only keeping your IG outdoors?
Italian greyhounds are not outdoor pets. With their coat being short hair and very little fat on the body, this breed does not tolerate, wet, windy or cold weather because it will freeze quickly. In fact, if you wish to take the dog out for a walk or let outside in your backyard in this type of weather, you will need to clothe the dog.
