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Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhound
Other names Piccolo Levriero Italiano
Traits

The Italian Greyhound is a small breed of dog, specifically a member of the sight hound family and member of the toy group. Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic Dogs with characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans bred from a known foundation The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order Sighthounds, also called gazehounds, are Hounds that primarily hunt by speed and sight instead of by scent and endurance as Scent hounds do Toy dog traditionally refers to a very small Dog or a grouping of small and very small breeds of dog They are sometimes called an "I. G. ", "iggy" or "Italians" for short. [1]

Contents

Description

Appearance

An Italian Greyhound at Washington Square in New York City.
An Italian Greyhound at Washington Square in New York City. The City of New York

The Italian Greyhound is the smallest[2] of the sight hounds, typically weighing about 7 to 11 lbs and standing about 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder or withers. [1] Though they are in the "toy" group by their weight, they physically occupy more space because of their slender bodies, so owners must be careful when sizing clothing or accommodations. Toy dog traditionally refers to a very small Dog or a grouping of small and very small breeds of dog

The Italian Greyhound's chest is deep, with a tucked abdomen, long slender legs and long neck. 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[3] - they are true genetic greyhounds, with a bloodline extending back over 2000 years. Their current small stature a function only of selective breeding over time. Their gait is distinctive and should be high stepping and free. They are able to run at top speed with a double suspension gallop, and can achieve a top speed of up to 25mph.

The color of the coat is a subject of much discussion. In the UK, the USA, and Australia, parti colored Italian Greyhounds are accepted, while the FCI standards adhered to in Europe allows white spots only on the chest and feet. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI ( English, World Canine Organisation) is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium [2]

The modern Italian Greyhound's appearance is a result of breeders throughout Europe, particularly Austrian, German, Italian, and French breeders, making great contributions to the forming of this breed. Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. See Breed (song for the song by Nirvana. See Breed (video game for the video game by Brat Designs The Italian Greyhound should resemble a small Greyhound, or rather a Sloughi, though they are in appearance more elegant and graceful.

Example of a double-suspension gallop, note all four feet off the ground.
Example of a double-suspension gallop, note all four feet off the ground.

Temperament

The Italian Greyhound is affectionate and makes a good companion dog. Companion dog usually describes a dog that does not work, providing only companionship as a Pet, rather than usefulness by doing specific tasks The breed is excellent for families and enjoys the company of people. While they are excellent with children, the breed's slim build and short coat make them somewhat fragile, and injury can result from rough play.

Although the Italian Greyhound appears fragile, they have some characteristics of larger dogs. Their large, strong lungs enables a bark that is deeper than one might expect from a small dog.

The breed is equally at home in the city or the country and does not require as much exercise as larger breeds, although they are fast, agile and athletic. 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. They enjoy running as fast as they possibly can, typically faster than other larger dogs.

In general the Italian Greyhound is intelligent, but they often have a "what's in it for me" attitude, so patience and reward in training seem to work best. The are also known for their mischievous ingenuity; despite a high center of gravity, they can easily walk upright on their hind legs to reach items up on tables.

Italian Greyhounds make reasonably good watchdogs, as they bark at unfamiliar sounds. They may also bark at passers-by and other animals. However, they often get along well with other dogs and cats they are raised with. They are not good guard dogs as they are often aloof with strangers and easily spooked to run.

Due to their slim build and extremely short coat, Italian Greyhounds are at times reluctant to go outside in cold or wet weather, so some owners lay old newspaper on the floor near an exit so their pets can relieve themselves. Some respond well to dog-litter training as well. This breed tends to gravitate to warm places, curl up with other dogs or humans, or burrow into blankets and under cushions for warmth.

As gazehounds, Italian Greyhounds instinctively hunt by sight and have a high predator drive. Sighthounds, also called gazehounds, are Hounds that primarily hunt by speed and sight instead of by scent and endurance as Scent hounds do Prey drive is the Instinctive behavior of a Carnivore to pursue and capture Prey. 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. Also, a short leash is highly suggested to owners due to reports of animals breaking their own necks when running a full lead mounted to the ground or a wall. Sometimes a dog harness is a good option; since the IG has a tapering neck and small head, they can often "slip" their collar and leash. This can also be used to avoid the above mentioned neck injury if your dog is prone to bolting.

Like most small breeds, Italian Greyhounds have small bladders. Housebreaking progresses with training and patience, but still at a slower pace than with larger breeds.

Italian Greyhounds are known for their lack of bladder control in comparison to other dogs. This is thought to be due to the bladder muscle in the dog being far too weak and due to many generations of breeding without removing the undesirable genetic traits.

Italian Greyhounds eating habits are different than that of most dogs. The quantity of food and timing of when they eat is sporadic. They generally eat when they want to as opposed to at a fixed feeding time and they only consume needed portions. Unlike many other dogs and except in rare cases, overfilling an Italian Greyhound's food bowl will not result in overeating.

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. Shedding is typical as of other breeds, but the hair that is shed is extremely short and fine and is easily vacuumed.

The teeth of an Italian Greyhound should be brushed regularly. Their scissor-bite and thin jaw bones make them susceptible to periodontal disease, which can be avoided with good dental care, which can be as simple as feeding the dog a rawhide chew daily. Rawhide is a hide or animal skin that has not been exposed to Tanning.

Health

Health problems that can be found in the breed:


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. Epilepsy can occur in animals other than humans (see main article Epilepsy) Luxating patella (or trick knee, subluxation of patella, or floating patella) is a condition in which the Patella, or kneecap dislocates or Von Willebrand disease (vWD is the most common hereditary Coagulation abnormality described in humans although it can also be acquired as a result of other medical conditions Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA is a group of genetic diseases seen in certain breeds of Dogs and more rarely cats Follicular dysplasia is a genetic disease of Dogs causing Alopecia, or hair loss A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the Eye or in its envelope varying in degree from slight to complete opacity A portosystemic shunt (PSS, also known as a liver shunt, is a bypass of the Liver by the body's Circulatory system. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA is a type of Hemolytic anemia where the body's immune system attacks its own Red blood cells (RBCs leading to their destruction Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans and animals caused by insufficient production of Thyroid hormone by the Thyroid gland. Hashimoto's thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is an Autoimmune disease where the body's own T-cells attack the cells of the Thyroid

History

The name of the breed is a reference to the breed's popularity in Renaissance Italy. Mummified dogs very similar to the Italian Greyhound (or small Greyhounds) have been found in Egypt, and pictorials of small Greyhounds have been found in Pompeii, and they were probably the only accepted companion-dog there. A mummy is a Corpse whose Skin and Flesh have been preserved by either intentional or Incidental exposure to Chemicals extreme Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples and Caserta in the Italian region of Campania, in As an amusing aside the expression 'Cave Canem' (Beware of the dog) was a warning to visitors, not that the dogs would attack but to beware of damaging, tripping over or stepping on the small dogs.

Although the small dogs are mainly companionship dogs they have in fact been used for hunting purposes, often in combination with hunting falcons, rat or mice. Hunting is the practice of pursuing Animals for Food, Recreation, or Trade. A falcon (fɔlkən or fælkən is any Species of raptor in the Genus Falco.

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 lead 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. It is due to its popularity in Renaissance Italy that the breed became known as the "Italian Greyhound. " 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.

Miscellaneous

Italian Greyhounds in the arts

Portrait of the aging Catherine The Great with an Italian Greyhound.
Portrait of the aging Catherine The Great with an Italian Greyhound.

The grace of the breed has prompted several artists to include the dogs in paintings, among others Velasquez, Pisanello and Giotto. Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez ( June 6, 1599 &ndash August 6, 1660) was a Spanish painter who was the leading Pisanello (c 1395 &ndash probably 1455 known professionally as Antonio di Puccio Pisano or Antonio di Puccio da Cereto, also erroneously called Vittore

Vision des Hl. Eustathius by Pisanello
Vision des Hl. Eustathius by Pisanello

The breed has been popular with royalty throughout, among the best known royal aficionados were Mary Stuart, Queen Anne, Queen Victoria, Catherine The Great, Frederick the Great and the Norwegian Queen Maud. A royal family is the extended family of a monarch. Generally the head of a royal family is a king or queen regnant Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714 became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702 succeeding William III of England and II of Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Catherine II, called Catherine the Great (Екатерина II Великая Yekaterina II Velikaya;) reigned as Empress of Russia for 34 years Frederick II (Friedrich II January 24 1712 August 17 1786) was a King of Prussia (1740&ndash1786 from the Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional Maud of Wales (Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria 26 November 1869 &ndash 20 November 1938) was Queen of Norway as spouse of King

Italian Greyhounds in popular culture

Activities

Some Italian Greyhounds enjoy dog agility. Dog agility is a Dog sport in which a handler directs a Dog through an Obstacle course in a The breed's lithe body and its love of action enable it to potentially do well at this sport, although not many Italian Greyhounds participate and their natural inclination is for straight-out racing rather than for working tightly as a team with a handler on a technical course.

Lure coursing is another activity well-fitted to the Italian Greyhound, and they seem to enjoy it tremendously. Lure coursing is a Sport for Dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure Although the Italian Greyhound is a very fast dog, it is not as well suited to racing as its larger cousin.

External links

References

  1. ^ Barber, Lillian S. , The New Complete Italian Greyhound, p. 5 (1993, Italian Greyhound Productions) ISBN 0961198621
  2. ^ American Kennel Club - Italian Greyhound Did You Know?
  3. ^ American Kennel Club - Italian Greyhound History
  4. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0326900/fullcredits#cast Internet Movie Database: Good Boy! Full cast and crew. Retrieved April 26 2007


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