Italian Greyhound (Italian greyhound)

Italian greyhound are friendly, friendly and energetic dogs whose character adapts easily to the owner. The versatile pets will suit both active people, with whom they will be happy to share sports hobbies and long walks, and an elderly person, to whom they will be sensitive and delicate, but the dog should always have the opportunity to run and play.
Appearance
Italian Italian greyhound are miniature, elegant dogs, the smallest greyhounds in the world, which are often called miniature replicas of the Greyhound. The height at the withers of these dogs does not exceed 38 cm, and the weight is 5 kg.
The Italian Greyhound has a compact, lightweight, square-shaped body, highlighted withers, deep, narrow chest, straight back, arched, arched loin and beveled, strong croup. The limbs are graceful and strong. The head is long and narrow, with a mild transition from the forehead to the muzzle, the muzzle is pointed, the lips are thin. The eyes are large, dark, slightly protruding. Semi-erect ears, set high, lifted in an active state, laid back at rest. The tail is set low and kept lowered. The coat is short, thick and soft. Color: solid gray, black, blue or fawn – any shades, paws and chest can be white.
Character
Despite their seemingly fragile physique, the Italian Greyhound are strong and enduring dogs, which in some countries are even used to hunt hares (and not every dog ​​can catch a hare).
Italian greyhound lends itself well to education and training, but it is necessary to deal with them from an early age, otherwise there is a great risk that the dog will grow spoiled. It should be borne in mind that training and upbringing should be persistent, but mild: they are not acceptable to rude and unjust punishment, moreover, the incorrect behavior of the owner will greatly shake his authority in the eyes of the refined pet.
In general, intelligent, cheerful and playful Italian greyhound are excellent companions and devoted friends who will never allow the owner to be sad.
Health
The breed is characterized by good health, but there is a tendency to problems with eyes, baldness and cryptorchidism.
With proper content, the Italian Greyhound often lives up to 15 years.
Care
Italian greyhound is kept in a house or apartment and is absolutely not suitable for keeping in the yard. For good health these pets need active walks and games. Otherwise, the care of dogs is the most standard: the wool is regularly cleaned, eyes and ears are wiped as needed, strong contaminants are removed locally with a damp sponge, it is necessary to bathe the dog as little as possible.
In the cold season it is necessary to walk the Italian greyhound in special clothes that do not hinder the movement, so that it does not freeze, but you do not need to wear a pet at home: it needs a little hardening.
Story
The breed is one of the most ancient, it existed in ancient Egypt, and in the 5th century BC came to Italy (Ancient Rome) from Greece.
The peak of the popularity of the IGs fell on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance: elegant dogs inspired many artists and poets. A great number of paintings and written sources have been preserved to our time, the heroes of which are the Italian Greyhounds.
However, more and more new breeds of dogs replaced the IGs, interest in the ancient breed began to disappear and the number of IGs gradually decreased. Fortunately, the breed has not lost its true connoisseurs, and after World War II was revived and restored. In 1968, the official breed standard was adopted.
In the past, miniature Italian greyhounds were used for hunting, but today they are friendly and perky decorative dogs.