Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and follow the feeding guide on the bag so your dog gets the daily nutrients they need.

These dogs become overweight easily, so watch calorie intake and weight, and reduce portions if your dog gains weight. Treats help in training, but too many lead to weight gain. At a proper weight, the hip bones should just be visible, and the ribs should not show but should be felt under a thin covering of flesh.

Most Italian Greyhounds need no special feeding instructions. Two meals a day, morning and evening, are well tolerated, while puppies need feeding more often, at least three times a day on a consistent schedule.

• Adults (about 7 to 14 pounds): roughly half a cup to one cup of food per day, divided into two meals.

Your veterinarian can give specific portion guidance based on your dog's weight and medical history. For more active dogs, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements support joint health, and omega-3 supplements can support the joints and help keep the skin and coat soft. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times, and learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

With a short, smooth coat, the Italian Greyhound needs minimal coat care. They are moderate shedders, and a gentle weekly brushing removes dead hair. Baths are rarely necessary unless the dog rolls in something that brushing cannot remove. Skin care varies by the individual dog, but the breed does not generally have sensitive skin.

The most important grooming task is the teeth. Brush them regularly, preferably daily, and schedule a veterinary dental cleaning yearly or as needed. Good dental hygiene supports long-term health.

The nails need regular attention, ideally with a grinding or electric tool, and should not be shortened all the way to the quick. This breed has a hare foot, so the two middle nails can stay slightly longer than the other two.

Clean the ears routinely with a veterinary-approved cleanser, and do this any time your Italian Greyhound has been in water, such as after swimming or bathing, since trapped moisture can lead to ear infections. Wipe the eyes routinely with a soft, damp cloth or veterinary-approved wipe to keep tear stains from building up.

Italian Greyhounds are an active breed with moderate energy and need regular exercise. For the most part, playtime is enough, especially with more than one dog, and leash walks are appreciated. Break up the day with frequent, short activities and plenty of lap time. Their friendly personality can lean toward needy, and without the attention they seek, they may become shy or restless.

These are true sighthounds, so going off-leash is never a good idea. They will chase anything small and furry and can be very hard to recall, even when trained. Their prey drive, a legacy of their hunting history, is triggered by small, fast-moving animals such as cats, rabbits, or squirrels.

Dog parks can be a hazard unless they are well supervised and divided into separate areas for small dogs. If you bring an Italian Greyhound into a home with smaller pets, teach them early that those pets are not something to chase.

The Italian Greyhound responds far better to reward-based training than to punishment. These are intelligent, sensitive dogs that can also be stubborn, so training calls for patience. Be firm with commands and lavish with praise, and keep treat rewards small and immediate, given straight away once the dog follows the command.

Harsh methods do not work here. A sensitive dog will shut down with negative feedback, so always use positive reinforcement. Treats, toys, patience, and consistency bring strong results, and any professional trainer should be chosen carefully.

Their gentle, friendly personality fits most families, including those with other pets. They do well with older children who understand how to interact with dogs, but they often avoid more boisterous kids. This little dog may not suit families with small, rambunctious children who can accidentally hurt them. Supervise all interactions between children and Italian Greyhounds, since these dogs have slender, delicate bodies.