Italian Greyhound characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | Medium | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | High | 35% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | Very Low | 12% of breeds |
| Shedding | Very Low | 7% of breeds |
| Barking | Low | 32% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Italian Greyhound right for you?
The Italian Greyhound is a small dog that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. In terms of temperament, it usually does well with children given socialization and supervision and shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers. Day to day, the Italian Greyhound wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Italian Greyhound wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. With medium energy and medium athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Italian Greyhound to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Italian Greyhound is very easy to groom — an occasional brush is all it takes and leaves virtually no hair around the house. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Italian Greyhound picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice and keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally. It prefers company and copes only with short periods alone, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Italian Greyhound
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Italian Greyhound genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Working drive: Very low — the Italian Greyhound has little working drive. Only 2% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Shedding: Very low — the Italian Greyhound sheds far less than most breeds. Only 7% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Grooming needs: Very low — the Italian Greyhound needs unusually little coat maintenance. Only 12% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Italian Greyhound actually costs you
| Exercise | About an hour a day of walking and play suits it. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Minimal coat work — an occasional wipe-down and little else. |
| Time alone | Wants company. Long days alone are where the problems start. |
| Noise | Quieter than most breeds. |
Where the Italian Greyhound fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | Medium energy and low barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | Medium trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Depends | High prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Depends | Low independence — this breed wants company and shows it when it does not get any. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
Perfect for
- Apartment living
- Gentle families
- Senior owners
- Small dog lovers
Things to consider
- Fragile bone structure
- Cold sensitive
- Can be difficult to housetrain
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Italian Greyhound good with children?
- The Italian Greyhound can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Italian Greyhound shed a lot?
- The Italian Greyhound has very low shedding.
- How much exercise does the Italian Greyhound need?
- With medium energy, the Italian Greyhound needs moderate daily exercise such as a good walk or two.
- How long does the Italian Greyhound live?
- The Italian Greyhound typically lives around 14 years.
- Can the Italian Greyhound live in an apartment?
- Yes — the Italian Greyhound is small and not overly vocal, so it adapts well to apartment living with daily walks.
- Is the Italian Greyhound easy to train?
- The Italian Greyhound picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Italian Greyhound be left alone during the day?
- The Italian Greyhound prefers company and copes only with short periods alone. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.