ITALIAN GREYHOUNDS
THIS IS LAD,,HE IS ACA AND APRI REG..
THIS IS DIAMOND, we kept her from
one our litters


Description[edit] Appearance
Example of a double suspension gallop, note all four feet off the ground.The Italian
Greyhound is the smallest[2] of the sighthounds, typically weighing about 8 to 18 lb (3.6
to 8.2 kg) and standing about 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm) tall at the withers.[3] Though
they are in the "toy" group based on their weight, they are larger than other dogs in the
category due to their slender bodies, so owners must be careful when sizing clothing or
accommodations.

The Italian Greyhound's chest is deep, with a tucked up abdomen, long slender legs and
a long neck that tapers down to a small head. The face is long and pointed, like a full
sized greyhound. Overall, they look like "miniature" Greyhounds, though many Italian
Greyhound owners dispute the use of the term "miniature Greyhound", in reference to
the breed itself. By definition of the American Kennel Club[4] - they are true genetic
greyhounds, with a bloodline extending back over 2000 years. Their current small
stature is a function of selective breeding. Their gait is distinctive and should be high
stepping and free, rather like that of a horse. They are able to run at top speed with a
double suspension gallop,[5] and can achieve a top speed of up to 25 miles per hour (40
km/h).

The color of the coat is a subject of much discussion. For The Kennel Club (UK), the
American Kennel Club, and the Australian National Kennel Council, parti colored Italian
Greyhounds are accepted, while the Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard for
international shows allows white only on the chest and feet.[6]

The modern Italian Greyhound's appearance is a result of breeders throughout Europe,
particularly Austrian, German, Italian, French and British breeders, making great
contributions to the forming of this breed. The Italian Greyhound should resemble a
small Greyhound, or rather a Sloughi, though they are in appearance more elegant and
graceful.

Temperament
The Italian Greyhound makes a good companion dog and enjoys the company of
people. However, the breed's slim build and short coat make them somewhat fragile, and
injury can result from rough or careless play with children under the age of 12.

The breed is equally at home in the city or the country, although they tend to do best in
spacious areas. They are fast, agile and athletic. Like any dog, daily exercise is a must
for a happier, well-adjusted pet. Italian greyhounds love to run. The young dog is often
particularly active, and this high level of activity may lead them to attempt ill-advised
feats of athleticism that can result in injury. Due to their size, and in some lineages poor
bone density, they are prone to broken legs which can be expensive to repair.

Italian Greyhounds make reasonably good watchdogs, as they bark at unfamiliar sounds.
They may also bark at passers-by and other animals. However, they should not be
considered "true" guard dogs as they are often aloof with strangers and easily spooked
to run.

As gazehounds, Italian Greyhounds instinctively hunt by sight and have an extremely
high predator drive. Owners of Italian Greyhounds typically keep their dogs leashed at all
times when not in an enclosed area to avoid the risk of even a well-behaved pet
breaking away at high speed after a small animal. Because of their frame, it is important
to select a harness especially designed for this breed; a regular harness could dislocate
their shoulder.

Grooming
Dogs of this breed have an extremely short and almost odorless coat that requires little
more than an occasional bath, but a wipe-down with a damp cloth is recommended after
walks as seeds, burrs and floating dust in the air can get into the coat and irritate the
skin. This breed sheds little to no hair.

Oral
The teeth of an Italian Greyhound should be brushed daily. Their scissor-bite and thin
jaw bones make them susceptible to periodontal disease, which can be avoided with
good dental care. Daily brushing has been shown to be very beneficial as well as regular
dental cleanings from the vet.

HealthHealth problems that can be found in the breed:

Epilepsy
Legg-Perthes disease (degeneration of the hip)
Patellar Luxation (slipped stifles)
von Willebrand disease (vWD) (Bleeding disorder)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Color dilution alopecia (hair loss in dilute pigmented dogs, i.e.: blues, blue fawns, etc.)
Leg Breaks (most common under the age of 2)
Cataracts
Vitreous degeneration
Liver shunts
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Periodontal disease, gum recession, early tooth loss, bad tooth enamel
Hypothyroidism, Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (Hashimoto's disease)
Responsible breeders will routinely check their dogs for the onset of various inherited
disorders, these commonly include (but are not limited to): CERF examinations on eyes,
OFA patellar examinations, OFA thyroid function panels, von Willebrand's factor, OFA
hip and Legg-Perthes disease x-rays, and others.In research by the Ortheopedic
Foundation for Animals, the Italian Greyhound was found to be the least affected by hip
dysplasia out of 157 breeds. Tests were conducted on 169 individual Italian
Greyhounds, of which none were found to have hip dyplasia and 59.2% scored excellent
on their hip evaluations.



Although the small dogs are mainly companionship dogs they have in fact been used for
hunting rats or mice, often in combination with hunting falcons.

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