Italian Greyhound / Iggy’s Dog Breed: Information, Travelling & Tips
The Italian Greyhound is a small breed of dog that is known for its slender, graceful build and elegant appearance. They are intelligent and energetic, and make great companion dogs for those who can provide them with the exercise and attention they need.
The Italian Greyhound dog breed was a favorite companion of noblewomen in the Middle Ages, especially in Italy. But this small hound was more than a lapdog, having the speed, endurance, and determination to hunt small game. These days, they’re a family dog whose beauty and athleticism is admired in the show ring and in obedience, agility, and rally competitions.
- Size and appearance: Italian Greyhounds are small dogs, typically weighing between 7 and 14 pounds and standing between 13 and 15 inches at the shoulder. They have a slender, athletic build and a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors.
- Personality and temperament: Italian Greyhounds are intelligent, energetic, and affectionate dogs that make great companion pets. They are known for their playful and energetic personality and may be prone to barking.
Health, Grooming, Exercise, Training & Nutrition Italian Greyhound
A true Greyhound in miniature, the elegant Italian Greyhound is an alert, playful, and highly affectionate toy companion. IGs make decorative couch dogs, but at heart they are flash-and-dash coursing hounds with an instinct for pursuit. Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
#1 Health of an Italian Greyhound / Iggy
Italian Greyhounds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they may be prone to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, and dental issues. It’s important to work with a veterinarian to identify any potential health concerns and to keep your dog up-to-date on preventative care
Italian Greyhounds are generally long lived, with a normal lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Responsible breeders screen for health conditions such as PRA, autoimmune problems, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hypothyroidism. Although the IG is not as delicate as he looks, care must be take to avoid hazardous situations that might result in a broken leg. Extensive information about breed health can be found on the website of the Italian Greyhound Club of America
#2 Grooming of an Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are small dogs with short, smooth coats that require minimal grooming. Here are a few tips for grooming your Italian Greyhound
- Brush your dog’s coat regularly: Italian Greyhounds have short, smooth coats that require minimal grooming. It’s a good idea to brush your dog’s coat once or twice a week to remove loose fur and keep their coat looking clean and shiny.
- Bathe your dog as needed: Italian Greyhounds generally only need to be bathed every few months, or as needed if they get particularly dirty. Use a mild dog shampoo and make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving soap residue on their skin.
- Trim your dog’s nails: It’s important to regularly trim your Italian Greyhound’s nails to keep them from getting too long. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can have a veterinarian or a professional groomer do it for you.
- Check your dog’s ears: Italian Greyhounds are prone to ear infections, so it’s important to check their ears regularly for signs of infection or irritation. If you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge, consult with a veterinarian.
- Brush your dog’s teeth: It’s important to brush your Italian Greyhound’s teeth regularly to help prevent dental problems. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs, and be gentle to avoid damaging their gums.
#3 Exercise for an Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are high-energy dogs that require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Here are a few tips for providing your Italian Greyhound with the exercise they need:
- Daily walks: Italian Greyhounds should receive at least one daily walk of at least 20-30 minutes, depending on their age and energy level. This can help provide them with the mental and physical stimulation they need.
- Playtime: In addition to daily walks, Italian Greyhounds can benefit from regular playtime. This can include fetch, tug-of-war, or other interactive toys.
- Other activities: Italian Greyhounds may also enjoy activities such as agility, lure coursing, or running off-leash in a fenced area.
- Consider your dog’s age and energy level: Italian Greyhounds may have different exercise needs depending on their age and energy level. Older dogs may need less exercise, while younger dogs may need more. Consult with a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer to determine the appropriate exercise needs for your Italian Greyhound.
- Monitor your dog’s condition: Keep an eye on your Italian Greyhound’s body condition and energy level, and adjust their exercise accordingly. If your dog seems tired or sluggish, they may need less exercise, while a dog that is overweight or inactive may need more exercise to help them lose weight and maintain good health.
#4 Training
Italian Greyhounds are intelligent and respond well to training, but can be sensitive and may benefit from positive reinforcement methods. Early socialization is important to help them become well-adjusted and confident pets.
This breed responds best to reward-based training methods rather than punishment. The trainer should be firm with commands and lavish with praise. Treats used as a reward should be small but immediate when the command is learned and followed. Professional dog trainers should be chosen carefully. Harsh methods just don’t work with these intelligent, sensitive little dogs, even though they can be stubborn
#5 Nutrition
Proper nutrition is important for all dogs, including Italian Greyhounds. Here are some general guidelines for feeding an Italian Greyhound
- Choose a high-quality diet: It’s important to choose a high-quality diet that is appropriate for your Italian Greyhound’s age and activity level. Look for a diet that is formulated for small breeds and that is made with high-quality, easily digestible ingredients.
- Determine the appropriate portion size: Italian Greyhounds are small dogs, and they may require smaller portions than larger breeds. Consult with a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to determine the appropriate portion size for your Italian Greyhound.
- Feed your Italian Greyhound twice a day: Italian Greyhounds may benefit from being fed twice a day, rather than once a day, as this can help prevent them from becoming overly hungry and prone to begging for food.
- Avoid overfeeding: It’s important to avoid overfeeding your Italian Greyhound, as obesity can lead to a variety of health problems. Monitor your dog’s weight and body condition and adjust their food intake accordingly.
- Provide fresh water: Make sure your Italian Greyhound has access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Consult with a veterinarian: If you have any questions or concerns about your Italian Greyhound’s nutrition, it’s a good idea to consult with a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist for personalized advice.
How To Transport an Italian Greyhound in The Car?
Travelling with your dog breed Italian Greyhound / Iggy needs preparation when you want to have a succesful trip on the road. This blog will give you information about the Italian Greyhound / Iggy dog breed and information about how to transport them.
Whether your Italian Greyhound is 6 months, 1 year or 5 years old, you will have to transport him by car one way or another. Indeed, for a visit to the veterinarian, for a trip on vacation or for a walk in the woods, your Italian Greyhound will have to be transported by car.
So you’re probably wondering how to do it? Where to put your Italian Greyhound: on a seat, in the box, attached, in a cage? This blog will help you to know the different modes of transport of a Italian Greyhound by car and the equipments that guarantees your safety as well as his.
Whether your Italian Greyhound is 6 months, 1 year or 5 years old, you will have to transport him by car one way or another. Indeed, for a visit to the veterinarian, for a trip on vacation or for a walk in the woods, your Italian Greyhound will have to be transported by car
So you’re probably wondering how to do it? Where to put your Italian Greyhound: on a seat, in the box, attached, in a cage? This blog will help you to know the different modes of transport of a Italian Greyhound by car and the equipments that guarantees your safety as well as his
How To Ensure Comfort in The Car For an Iggy?
Travelling in a vehicle can be distressing for your pet along with the motion causing them to be sick. To help your Italian Greyhound getting used to being in the car, it’s best to introduce them to this as early as possible as part of their socialisation training. Exposing them at a young age to this environment will desensitise their uncertainty and get them used to the motion. It’s best for your dog to be able to see out of a window when travelling, or if your pet is prone to motion sickness, allow them to face forward.
Travel socialisation can be built up, starting with short distances and extending to longer distance car journeys. Treats can help make these new experiences positive and reinforce your pet that they have behaved well.
Travelling With an Italian Greyhound / Iggy in The Car
How to travel with a dog in the car? In order to ensure a successfull car ride you need to be well-prepared. We have gathered the best must-follow tips to create the best preparation for your dog.
The most common dog problems that many dogs experience in the car
- Motion sickness: to avoid car sickness, it’s important to not feed your dog a few hours before leaving the house;
- Stress: be familiar with dog stress in the car. Read our blog to learn more about stress in dogs;
- Anxiety: anxiety by dogs in car rides are very common. Read more about this problem to prevent it.
What are the best tips to travel with a dog?
- Law rules & Requirements – of how to travel with a dog in Europe;
- 29 Must-Follow Tips – How to transport a dog in the car?;
Tips:
- If you’re staying in a hotel, call the management in advance and know their policies when it comes to pets;
- Bring your dog’s medical certificates, vaccination documents, and other similar records just in case they are required;
- When traveling by land, take a break every 2-3 hours. Bring your dog out of the crate and let him get some fresh air to stretch a little bit. Bathroom breaks would also be important for your pet;
- If all else fails, you can consider using medication or sedative as prescribed by your vet;
- Make sure your dog is used to getting into your car regularly from a young age;
- To make sure he doesn’t get too stressed, take the time to gradually get him used to the car. You can make several short trips, reward him with a treat so he associates transportation with positive things;
- Never leave your dog alone in the car, even with the window open, in the shade or even in winter (risk of excessive heat, injuries …);
- If you travel by car with your dog, stop every 2 hours for his needs and give him something to drink;
- Make sure the driver is safe;
- Make sure your dog is safe and comfortable by using a dog car seat.
Travelling in The Car - Safety For Your Italian Greyhound
One of the most important rules of travelling with your dog: Do not leave your Italian Greyhound / Iggy free in the car. Indeed, he may be injured, fall or receive a shock when braking hard
- Dog car seat: The best investment is a dog car seat with safety elements to ensure a safe car ride;
- Safety elements: always make sure your dog is restraint with a sturdy dog harness and a dog car seat belt;
Travelling in The Car - Safety For The Driver
In a collision at 50 km/h, even a small dog can become a life-threatening projectile for passengers in the car. What is the law on dogs in cars? When in a vehicle make sure dogs or are suitably restrained to avoid distraction or injuring. In an event of a collision, it could be used as evidence against you if your dog is not properly secured.
Do dogs have to be restrained in cars? When driving with dogs it’s important to be familiar with the law rule 57 highway code. A proper dog car seat, dog harness, dog seat belt are the best ways of restraining. Make sure to check out the correct law rules for your own country.
If your pet is found to have caused or contributed to an accident, your car insurance could be invalid, as well as any pet insurance. You could also face a fine of up to £5,000 if you’re taken to court, as well as points on your license.
EXTRA TIPS FROM ITALIAN GREYHOUND OWNERS:
- Lino loved the car from the first day… he was a bit scared at the begging so what i used to do is going with the car to places that he loves. This way he knew every time we were going by car was for a new adventure or a place he likes. Now he loves the car more than anything. If he sees an open car door he run to go in He falls asleep the second he gets in the car and can sleep through the whole journey. Many times he doesn’t even want to get out of the car. (Story time with @linotheiggy)
- For longer trips with an Italian Greyhounds I would suggest to make sure your iggy is tired before going on a trip. A tired dog means a polite and calm dog. Another important thing which I obsessively pay attention to because my iggy is small and delicate; If we use a dog seat belt we always use a harness instead of a collar. This can prevent serious injury in case of sudden braking (Extra tip by; @primo.the.igg).
- We always travel with the iggy’s in the backseat. The airbags in the front seat could injure or kill the dogs if we are in an accident. We always keep them restrained in the car meaning they are attached by their harness to the seat. We prefer they are attached to a harness and not their collars. In a longer trip we add blankets to their beds because they like to burrow (Extra tip by; @chippaiggy).
- Igby can get travel sick so we find its best not to feed him for a few hours before we travel. Having water, or Oralade, on hand to keep him hydrated and frequent stops if a long journey. The first few trips we laid out puppy pads which was handy if we was sick to quickly and easily clean up! He loves his L’élianne travel bed and will now lie down and get comfy in it. Have the window open or fan on helps too. (Extra tip by: @igbythewhippet)
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