Mini Italian Greyhound

When looking for a mini-pooch to accompany you and your family, the mini Italian greyhound may be for you. Possessing happy manners and a good nature, it can be a great canine-pet for any family.

Small, slender, and fine-boned, the mini Italian greyhound is known for its characteristic long, narrow head, and weighs only 6 to 14 pounds. It can come in different short and glossy coat colors such as gray, slate gray, red, fawn, blue, black, white, and cream.

Fairly active indoors and outdoors on the yard, the mini Italian greyhound is playful, eager, affectionate, smart, and overall good-natured. They are also generally very submissive, and naturally want to please their owners.

Not that challenging when it comes to training them, it must be remembered though, that they do not react well to harsh discipline. Instead, be calm, firm, kind and authoritative when dealing with them.

Very dependent and peaceful, its owner must not spoil it by petting it when it is stressed or upset as it will only strengthen this behavior. Though it is easy to train, it still needs a pack leader to follow.

It must be noted that the mini Italian greyhound should not be babied, even though it is tempting for its size to baby and spoil it. Babied mini Italian greyhounds will develop to be snappish and overly possessive.

For exercise, even for its size it requires daily walk, as it loves to run free and play. When walking though, the owner should lead the way and not the mini Italian greyhound so as to earn its respect and see you as a figure of authority.

Grooming the mini Italian greyhound can be quite easy, as it only needs to keep its coat clean and silky by simply rubbing it down with a towel. Bathing it not really needed and should only be done when it is necessary. When you do bathe them, make sure to dry them thoroughly to avoid any complications.  

Expected to live a long life of 12 to 15 years – in some rare cases can live up to 19 years – it may experience a number of health problems. Health problems that are specific to the miniature Italian greyhound are susceptibility to epilepsy, slipped stifle, fractures, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA.

Though adults may be tougher, it is important to know that mini Italian greyhound puppies, newly born up until they are 18 months old, are fragile and can experience broken legs easily. Careful handling and special attention is needed when handling mini Italian greyhound puppies.