Breed guide

Italian Greyhound

Miniature greyhound. Elegant, affectionate, fragile. Dental care and protecting those thin legs define daily ownership.

AKC Rank

#73

Size

toy (7-14 lbs)

Life Expectancy

14-15 yrs

Activity

moderate

Feeding a Italian Greyhound

Tiny sighthound. ~300-450 kcal/day. Dental care is critical; legs are fragile.

Key nutrients

•dental support
•calcium for bone health
•omega-3

Portion notes: 2-3 small meals daily. Watch weight but don't underfeed.

Fresh food picks for Italian Greyhounds

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for toy dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

•Human-grade fresh food
•Portioned per dog
•Vet-developed recipes
•50% off first box

See The Farmer's Dog →

fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

•Pre-portioned pouches
•Vet-formulated
•Microbiome testing available
•50% off first order

See Nom Nom →

fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

•Fresh or UnKibble options
•Human-grade ingredients
•Shelf-stable storage option
•50% off first order

See Spot & Tango →

First-year cost

What a Italian Greyhound actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$1,850-$4,080

Ongoing years run $1,270-$2,750 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$550-$900

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$180-$280

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$720-$1,550

Grooming

low grooming needs

$0-$120

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$150-$500

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$180

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$499-$874/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for toy dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Supplements for Italian Greyhounds

Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.

supplements

VetriScience Composure

Calming chews for stressed dogs

•NASC Quality Seal
•L-theanine + colostrum
•For travel, storms, fireworks
•Non-drowsy

See VetriScience Composure →

Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.

Health concerns to watch

dental disease

patellar luxation

leg fractures

progressive retinal atrophy

epilepsy

hypothyroidism

color dilution alopecia

Leg fractures are common — avoid jumping from heights, especially as puppies.

Dental disease is near-universal; daily care essential.

Very cold-sensitive; needs sweaters and coats in cool weather.

Gear for Italian Greyhounds

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

Crate

for Italian Greyhounds

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Harness

for Italian Greyhounds

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Bed

for Italian Greyhounds

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Collar

for Italian Greyhounds

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Leash

for Italian Greyhounds

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Slow feeder bowl

for Italian Greyhounds

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Chew toy

for Italian Greyhounds

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Training for Italian Greyhounds

Matched to Italian Greyhound temperament (playful, alert, sensitive).

training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

•Lifetime membership
•Self-paced video lessons
•Puppy + adult content
•Behavior troubleshooting

See BAXTER & Bella →

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

•1-on-1 live video sessions
•Certified trainers
•Custom per-dog plan
•Weekly structure

See GoodPup →

training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

•App-based daily plans
•AI-guided feedback
•Affordable monthly cost
•Trick training library

See Dogo →

GPS trackers for Italian Greyhounds

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

•Attaches to any collar
•Worldwide GPS coverage
•Activity monitoring
•Budget-friendly

See Tractive →

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

•350+ breeds identified
•250+ health conditions screened
•Cornell-partnered science
•Relatives finder

See Embark →

dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

•350+ breeds
•Genetic health insights
•Budget-friendly option
•Fast results

See Wisdom Panel →

Common symptoms in Italian Greyhounds

What to watch for, what causes it, and when to worry.

Eye Discharge & Tearing →

Watery eyes, crusty discharge, or colored goop — common in flat-faced and toy breeds. Usua…

Italian Greyhound questions, answered

How long do Italian Greyhounds live?▾

Italian Greyhounds typically live 14-15 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.

How big do Italian Greyhounds get?▾

Adult Italian Greyhounds typically weigh 7-14 lbs and stand 13-15 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a toy breed.

How much exercise does a Italian Greyhound need?▾

Italian Greyhounds are a moderate-activity breed. Plan on 45-90 minutes of walks and play per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.

What health problems do Italian Greyhounds commonly have?▾

Italian Greyhounds are most prone to: dental disease, patellar luxation, leg fractures, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.

Are Italian Greyhounds hard to groom?▾

Italian Greyhounds need minimal grooming — weekly brushing and occasional baths are enough. Their short coat is low-maintenance day-to-day.

What should I feed a Italian Greyhound?▾

Tiny sighthound. ~300-450 kcal/day. Dental care is critical; legs are fragile. Key nutrients to look for: dental support, calcium for bone health, omega-3.

Are Italian Greyhounds good for first-time owners?▾

Italian Greyhounds are generally suitable for first-time owners with basic commitment. They're playful, alert, sensitive. Plan for consistent training from day one.

Ask Barkly about your Italian Greyhound

Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.