Brief history
Image: Greek vase, represents the death of Aktaion by his own 48 greyhounds when mistaking him for a deer by charm of the goddess Artemisa (Diana in Rome), whom he accidentally found bathing in the river and observed, which enraged to the goddess, according to the story of Ovid. |
The Piccolo Levriero Italiano, Italian Sighthound or Italian Greyhound, also known as “Iggy”, is an elegant, stylized, effortless graceful dog, with an affectionate character that is very attached to its owners and that must be integrated into family life, is lively and intelligent. Initially it was a hunting dog and later it was considered more like a companion. Like all the hounds, he loves the comfort of a soft surface because he has thin and soft skin, being able to remain calm for hours, he is very active and agile at the time of playing besides being very fast (40-45 km / hr), He is considered the Ferrari of the small breeds.
This very old breed is suspected to exist since the times of the Egyptian pharaohs because of some remains found in tombs of a dog very similar to 6000 years ago. It is believed that it passed from North Africa to Greece and then thanks to the Phoenicians it spread through the Mediterranean, being in the Italian courts of the Renaissance where it reached its popularity and later also spread in England. The truth is that, like many other types of greyhounds, it has always been associated to the exclusive possession of the aristocratic or noble class for its beauty and distinguished bearing, having several personalities of history who owned one, as it is characterised by be very affectionate with its owner, elegant and portable, also historically is a companion dog that has been favored to live indoors since it almost does not smell, practically does not shed, does not drool, does not snore, barks little, and knows to be calm, all without mentioning the glamour of his own demeanor like any hound, it is a great little dog. |
Italian Sighthound
Official Breed Standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale, Belgium.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Of slender appearance, its body fits into a square. Although of a small size, it fully characterises a miniature sighthound, the prototype of refinement and elegance. May be considered as a model of grace and distinction.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT:
Lively, affectionate, docile.
Of slender appearance, its body fits into a square. Although of a small size, it fully characterises a miniature sighthound, the prototype of refinement and elegance. May be considered as a model of grace and distinction.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT:
Lively, affectionate, docile.
Anatomical Features
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AB = 32 to 38 cms. CD = AB BE slightly longer than EA FH up to 40% of AB F F1 = GH IL = FH |
- Height and Weight. Height to the withers for males and females (AB): 32 to 38 cms. Max. weight: 5 Kgs.
- Head. Skull and muzzle of the same length (F F1=G H). "Stop" (F1-G) just in the middle and slightly marked. Nose in dark colour with well-opened nostrils. Tapered muzzle. Lips: Thin and tight, with edges of lips very darkly pigmented.
- Eyes. Large, roundish, and expressive, sub-frontally positioned, neither deep-set nor protruding. Iris of dark colour, eye rims pigmented.
- Ears. Set very high, small, with fine cartilage, folded in itself and carried well back on the nape and upper part of the neck. When the dog is attentive, the base of the ear is erected and the lobe tends to stand out laterally on the horizontal, position commonly known as “flying ears” or “propeller ears”.
- Neck. The nape is slightly arched and broken at its base towards the withers. The throat line is slightly convex. Neck length equal to that of the head. Shaped like a truncated cone, well muscled. Skin lean without dewlap.
- Limbs Forequarters. General appearance: On the whole straight and vertical with lean muscles. Shoulder: Very slightly sloping with well developed, long lean and salient muscles. Upper arm: With a very open scapulo-humeral angle parallel to the median plane of the body. The upper arm is slightly longer than the shoulder blade. Elbow: Neither out nor tied-in at elbows. Forearm: Straight. Refined bone structure, flat and lean; in perfect vertical position as much from the front as in profile. Well evident furrow from the carpus to the elbow. Length from ground to elbow, just slightly more than the length from elbow to the withers. Metacarpus (Pastern): Dry. Seen in profile it is slightly bent. Forefeet: Of almost oval shape, small, with arched and closely knit toes. Not voluminous pads, pigmented. Nails black or dark according to coat colour or that of the feet, where white is tolerated.
- Limbs Hindquarters. General appearance: Well angulated. Seen from behind on the whole straight and parallel. Thigh: Long, lean, not voluminous, with very distinct muscles. Stifle (Knee): Solid and firm. Lower thigh: Very sloping, with refined bone structure and well apparent groove in leg muscle. A little longer than thigh. Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Seen from behind, must be parallel. Hind feet: Less oval than the forefeet, with arched and closely knit toes; not voluminous pads and nails pigmented like forefeet.
- Body. The length is equal to, or barely inferior to the height at the withers (CD=AB), the body fits in a square shape. Topline: Straight profile with slightly arched dorsal-lumbar region. The lumbar curve is merging harmoniously into the line of the rump. Withers ("A'): Quite well defined with closely placed top of shoulders. Back: Straight, well muscled. Loin: Slightly arched. Croup: Very sloping, wide and muscled. Chest: Narrow, solid but elegantly modelled with slight spring of ribs. Deep, let down to the elbows. Underline and belly: The rather short sternal arch is accentuated and rises without abruptness to the belly.
- Tail. Low set, fine even at base, tapering progressively to its tip. It is carried low and straight in its first half, the second half curved. Stretched it should reach the top of the hock. Covered with short hair. (The low tail between the legs does not necessarily means the dog is afraid or nervous, it carries that way).
- Coat. Hair: The hair is short, silky and fine all over the body without the slightest trace of fringes. Colour: Self-coloured in black, grey, and Isabella (fawn, pale yellowish/beige) in all possible shades. Limited white is tolerated only on the chest and feet. (AKC allows free white markings, which are not allowed under the FCI).
See the complete FCI standard which also applies in Mexico:
F.C.I. STANDARD No. 200, 17.12.2015; PICCOLO LEVRIERO ITALIANO (ITALIAN SIGHTHOUND).
Differences between the European and American Italian Sighthound
For contrast I show here the standard for the American Kennel Club: "ITALIAN GREYHOUND CLUB OF AMERICA"
Very similar to the FCI standard apparently but the main difference is the coat color which allows free white markings.
Genetic studies have shown that despite the European and American Italian Greyhounds have a common origin (European dogs) they both have been bred separately for enough time to be considered genetically differentiate as two separate distinctly groups within the same breed, which is not common for all the dog breeds.
https://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/dog/GeneticDiversityInItalianGreyhounds.php
I wrote a post on Facebook about the differences between the American and European lines if you are fancy to read:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02e6WaSMiQi1PTEZjtiuHd26HvXPfyG8v9rX7F7rRztcY5Ebs3LzAFC1DvUfW9Jhwvl&id=100016811359169
Movement
"GAIT / MOVEMENT: Springy, harmonious, slightly raised trot, covering the ground. This means that the front legs must be moved forward with good reach and with slightly lifted and bent pasterns. Gallop fast with sharp spring."
The final test to verify that the dog has a correct physical construction and it will meet the objectives for which a particular breed is created / preserved, is to see it moving. The Italian greyhound, used previously to hunt small prey and now as a breed of company, must display a natural elegance and refinement to the trot and be able to develop the maximum speed at the gallop.
THE TROT OF THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND
The Italian Greyhound, as well as each breed in particular, has a typical and distinctive trot.
To explain better the trot of the Italian Greyhound, I will borrow an image of a book:
AN EYE FOR A DOG, Illustrated Guide To Judging Purebred Dogs. Robert W. Cole
Dogwise Publishing, Wenatchee, WA 98807 U.S.A.
Movement at the trot, page 105.
The final test to verify that the dog has a correct physical construction and it will meet the objectives for which a particular breed is created / preserved, is to see it moving. The Italian greyhound, used previously to hunt small prey and now as a breed of company, must display a natural elegance and refinement to the trot and be able to develop the maximum speed at the gallop.
THE TROT OF THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND
The Italian Greyhound, as well as each breed in particular, has a typical and distinctive trot.
To explain better the trot of the Italian Greyhound, I will borrow an image of a book:
AN EYE FOR A DOG, Illustrated Guide To Judging Purebred Dogs. Robert W. Cole
Dogwise Publishing, Wenatchee, WA 98807 U.S.A.
Movement at the trot, page 105.
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In order to illustrate the trot of the Italian sighthound the author compares it with a Whippet. See how in the Whippet´s movement during the trot the metacarpus goes through a phase parallel to the ground and without lifting too much (image 1 to 7, called "Daisy Clip"), with a good extension at front. Also notice the position of the neck.
The following serie is the illustration of a correct Italian Greyhound, note the series of high movements of the front and rear legs, without becoming a "hackney" (image 1 to 7), the angle of flexion of the metacarpus with respect to the ground, the good reach of the front leg and the extension of the rear leg, (image 5, "drive"). |
In the Italian Greyhound, this elevated movement is desirable because it is typical of the breed, as long as there is also a good reach. Also note the position of the neck / head, the Italian carries it more erect, high, which would not be typical for a correct whippet and viceversa. It should also be noted that the tail remains low and curved at the tip, unlike an Afghan hound, for example, which it would keep it high and curly.
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The Gallope and the Double Suspension
The sighthounds posses a particular flexible spine, which allows them to gallop in way called "double suspension" like the felines, this is translated into a faster and powerful race. The Italian Greyhound is the fastest breed within its size, 40 kms/hr., and still outperforms larger dogs.
The double suspension means that in a cycle of strides of the dog, the four legs will be suspended in the air simultaneously two times:
In the case of the greyhounds, they run supporting each leg on the ground on a rotative cycle, one leg at a time (4 times): 1) right front leg, 2) left front leg, 2b) jump or suspension, 3) rear leg left, 4) right rear leg, 4b) Jump or suspension, repeat 1) right front leg, etc.
There are other breeds of dogs that can make a modified version of the double suspension, but not with the perfection of the sighthounds, for example it is very interesting to know that the Dachshund when they are properly build can perform the double suspension gallop , but they do it in a different way, very close to the ground and this is called a "glide gallope". Most dog breeds as well as horses perform a simple gallop, this means, they only perform one suspension in each cycle of strides..
I do not have yet any videos of an Italian Greyhound at the gallop, but the English Greyhound below serves as example, since they move is practically the same at the gallope. The dog of the example sometimes changes the order of rotation, but the principle is the same. Note also how the metacarpus ("wrists", the front legs) bend dramatically down to the ground to generate an upward and forward momentum.
The double suspension means that in a cycle of strides of the dog, the four legs will be suspended in the air simultaneously two times:
In the case of the greyhounds, they run supporting each leg on the ground on a rotative cycle, one leg at a time (4 times): 1) right front leg, 2) left front leg, 2b) jump or suspension, 3) rear leg left, 4) right rear leg, 4b) Jump or suspension, repeat 1) right front leg, etc.
There are other breeds of dogs that can make a modified version of the double suspension, but not with the perfection of the sighthounds, for example it is very interesting to know that the Dachshund when they are properly build can perform the double suspension gallop , but they do it in a different way, very close to the ground and this is called a "glide gallope". Most dog breeds as well as horses perform a simple gallop, this means, they only perform one suspension in each cycle of strides..
I do not have yet any videos of an Italian Greyhound at the gallop, but the English Greyhound below serves as example, since they move is practically the same at the gallope. The dog of the example sometimes changes the order of rotation, but the principle is the same. Note also how the metacarpus ("wrists", the front legs) bend dramatically down to the ground to generate an upward and forward momentum.
When you see the sighthound at the gallop, then the small head, the long and strong neck, the ears close to the head, the length of the legs and the height of the elbow, the scapulo-humeral angle, the long metacarpals, the capacity of the chest for large lungs, the small waist, the rudder that gives the tail, etc. etc., all the construction of the dog finally makes sense.
Sport Activities
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In some European countries the sport of racing is more frequently done for the Italian greyhound, as in the following example:
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There are also the agility competitions, a very fun and appropriate activity for this breed, this is an example of the training:
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And of course you can not miss the conformation and beauty competitions, the dog shows. The following video contains some personalities of the Italian Greyhound world in Europe, presenting themselves.
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Some Kennel Clubs and Breed Club
Federación Canófila Mexicana, A. C. Mexico
Federation Cynologique International International
Real Sociedad Canina de España Spain
Société Centrale Canine France
Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana Italy
American Kennel Club U.S.A.
The Kennel Club U.K.
Italian Greyhound Club of America. U.S.A.
Federation Cynologique International International
Real Sociedad Canina de España Spain
Société Centrale Canine France
Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana Italy
American Kennel Club U.S.A.
The Kennel Club U.K.
Italian Greyhound Club of America. U.S.A.
Myths and Realities of the Italian Greyhound
Ideal Home Type
Italian Greyhound lives better where it is allowed to live together with its owner, preferably indoors, protected from rain, wind and low temperatures, as they have very little body fat. Home of adults or with quiet children are fine. Do not let him alone for many hours a day. IG's coexist better with those of their own breed.
It adapts well to apartment living. In a house it is necessary to make sure that the garden has a fence and a double door system so that it does not escape by accident, in addition to carrying a name tag with telephone number at all times for any unforeseen event. They can be very jealous of the love of their master and they will compete between those of their same breed and others for being the center of attention.
"Trainability"
100% through positive reinforcement, they are very sensitive and should not be mistreated or they will become fearful. In my opinion it depends a lot on the bloodlines within the breed, it is not a golden retriever, but they are very intelligent. Their obedience can be selective and guided by some interest, in my experience much more in females. We must systematically socialize them since very young and above all to expose them at an early age to see and be close to dogs of different and heavier constitution, otherwise it will be more difficult at older age to take away the nervousness when seeing a larger dog. This breed is usually a bit hard to train for "going toilet", but this is not the case for all individuals.
General Maintenance
Obviously a quality diet, clean and soft bed since its skin is thin and delicate, especially the tail and elbows, they can peel or form calluses. Keep them dry and warn in cold season. Regular play, training and exercise as any dog.
Having a very short and soft hair, a weekly bath only takes 5 minutes. You should cut or filing the nails every 10 days approximately and brushing the teeth daily or at least a couple of times a week, it would be all.
Being a breed that does not drool and is a rather dry mouth, we must take special care to keep the teeth clean to prevent the formation of tartar that affects especially the elderly sighthounds. As the puppy grows it is necessary to verify that it pulls off the first fangs so that the perms grow straight. I recommend using a greyhound collar to protect the trachea while learning to walk on a leash, I personally do not use harnesses because they do not show well the elegant greyhound figure.
How much do they eat?
In general, the maintenance diet of an adult in normal conditions with high quality dog dry food is 1.0 to 1.3 cups or 390Kcl per day is recommended, divided in morning and evening . A very active life style or pregnant females will be different.
"This breed is not appropriate for small children"....
False, I would say that it rather depends on how these children are educated, the breed tends to have fragile legs until 18 -24 months of age and we need to use common sense. This is not a breed that especially seeks for children because their rough games are not their favorites, they prefer to rest quietly or run freely (in a closed area without vehicles!) But I do not think they are forbidden for children.
"The leg fractures are a common disadvantage on this breed"...
True, same as in several small breeds this can happen and be a traumatic experience for dog and owner, but you have to be prepared. Have a splint, bandage and muzzle always read. In an event take the dog to a veterinarian for an emergency stabilization and within the next few hours calmly search for a good orthopaedist vet. Although the cost of maintenance of the breed is very low, the total cost of leg surgery with post treatment is around 1,000 US dollars in Mexico City over 2 months. We must be responsible and willing to foreseeing this possibility, otherwise I suggest looking for another breed of dog. It is worth also to consider hiring a pet insurance just in case,
"It is a very nervous dog"...
False, it is a little spread idea about this breed. As always, it will depend on the bloodlines and the environment where they grow and how well they have been socialized. A sum of bad factors can create an unbearable dog, so you have to be careful to correct and prevent situations on time. For those who understands greyhounds knows that they are reserved with the strangers. They get cold easily because they have little body fat and they stand with their tails stuck between their legs, not because of a lack of character, and people mistake this as a weak / nervous dog. It is true that they should not be shouted or scared on purpose, they have a sensitive nature.
"They need to run a lot because they are sighthounds"...
Well, most of the dogs would be happy running free everyday and although the Italian greyhound loves it, he also knows how to stay on his bed or owner's sofa sleeping for hours. They are very calm passing the stage of playful puppies. They need to run and play like any dog but it's not an exaggeration just because they are greyhounds. They should not be running too much while they are still puppies and the growing plates in joints have not closed well yet.
I have other pets at home!
This breed gets along better with their own or other small breeds of preference, even with cats but I suggest to avoid much heavier dogs. Because IGs are not very territorial dogs, they are not good guardians but it can affect them being next to a larger dog that it is, IGs prefer tranquillity. I have known of successful coexistence with Xoloitzcuintli and Chihuahueños, not so with Mini Pinscher at least in one case.
Common disease of the breed
In general it is considered one of the healthiest breeds, but it will depend on the breeder's bloodlines also:
epilepsy, enamel hypoplasia, incomplete dentition, defective bite, dislocation of patella, cryptorchidism (incomplete descent of one or both testicles), eyes, heart and skin diseases.
All my dogs are health tested before any reproduction plan, reproducing only healthy individuals.
Italian Greyhound lives better where it is allowed to live together with its owner, preferably indoors, protected from rain, wind and low temperatures, as they have very little body fat. Home of adults or with quiet children are fine. Do not let him alone for many hours a day. IG's coexist better with those of their own breed.
It adapts well to apartment living. In a house it is necessary to make sure that the garden has a fence and a double door system so that it does not escape by accident, in addition to carrying a name tag with telephone number at all times for any unforeseen event. They can be very jealous of the love of their master and they will compete between those of their same breed and others for being the center of attention.
"Trainability"
100% through positive reinforcement, they are very sensitive and should not be mistreated or they will become fearful. In my opinion it depends a lot on the bloodlines within the breed, it is not a golden retriever, but they are very intelligent. Their obedience can be selective and guided by some interest, in my experience much more in females. We must systematically socialize them since very young and above all to expose them at an early age to see and be close to dogs of different and heavier constitution, otherwise it will be more difficult at older age to take away the nervousness when seeing a larger dog. This breed is usually a bit hard to train for "going toilet", but this is not the case for all individuals.
General Maintenance
Obviously a quality diet, clean and soft bed since its skin is thin and delicate, especially the tail and elbows, they can peel or form calluses. Keep them dry and warn in cold season. Regular play, training and exercise as any dog.
Having a very short and soft hair, a weekly bath only takes 5 minutes. You should cut or filing the nails every 10 days approximately and brushing the teeth daily or at least a couple of times a week, it would be all.
Being a breed that does not drool and is a rather dry mouth, we must take special care to keep the teeth clean to prevent the formation of tartar that affects especially the elderly sighthounds. As the puppy grows it is necessary to verify that it pulls off the first fangs so that the perms grow straight. I recommend using a greyhound collar to protect the trachea while learning to walk on a leash, I personally do not use harnesses because they do not show well the elegant greyhound figure.
How much do they eat?
In general, the maintenance diet of an adult in normal conditions with high quality dog dry food is 1.0 to 1.3 cups or 390Kcl per day is recommended, divided in morning and evening . A very active life style or pregnant females will be different.
"This breed is not appropriate for small children"....
False, I would say that it rather depends on how these children are educated, the breed tends to have fragile legs until 18 -24 months of age and we need to use common sense. This is not a breed that especially seeks for children because their rough games are not their favorites, they prefer to rest quietly or run freely (in a closed area without vehicles!) But I do not think they are forbidden for children.
"The leg fractures are a common disadvantage on this breed"...
True, same as in several small breeds this can happen and be a traumatic experience for dog and owner, but you have to be prepared. Have a splint, bandage and muzzle always read. In an event take the dog to a veterinarian for an emergency stabilization and within the next few hours calmly search for a good orthopaedist vet. Although the cost of maintenance of the breed is very low, the total cost of leg surgery with post treatment is around 1,000 US dollars in Mexico City over 2 months. We must be responsible and willing to foreseeing this possibility, otherwise I suggest looking for another breed of dog. It is worth also to consider hiring a pet insurance just in case,
"It is a very nervous dog"...
False, it is a little spread idea about this breed. As always, it will depend on the bloodlines and the environment where they grow and how well they have been socialized. A sum of bad factors can create an unbearable dog, so you have to be careful to correct and prevent situations on time. For those who understands greyhounds knows that they are reserved with the strangers. They get cold easily because they have little body fat and they stand with their tails stuck between their legs, not because of a lack of character, and people mistake this as a weak / nervous dog. It is true that they should not be shouted or scared on purpose, they have a sensitive nature.
"They need to run a lot because they are sighthounds"...
Well, most of the dogs would be happy running free everyday and although the Italian greyhound loves it, he also knows how to stay on his bed or owner's sofa sleeping for hours. They are very calm passing the stage of playful puppies. They need to run and play like any dog but it's not an exaggeration just because they are greyhounds. They should not be running too much while they are still puppies and the growing plates in joints have not closed well yet.
I have other pets at home!
This breed gets along better with their own or other small breeds of preference, even with cats but I suggest to avoid much heavier dogs. Because IGs are not very territorial dogs, they are not good guardians but it can affect them being next to a larger dog that it is, IGs prefer tranquillity. I have known of successful coexistence with Xoloitzcuintli and Chihuahueños, not so with Mini Pinscher at least in one case.
Common disease of the breed
In general it is considered one of the healthiest breeds, but it will depend on the breeder's bloodlines also:
epilepsy, enamel hypoplasia, incomplete dentition, defective bite, dislocation of patella, cryptorchidism (incomplete descent of one or both testicles), eyes, heart and skin diseases.
All my dogs are health tested before any reproduction plan, reproducing only healthy individuals.