Italian Greyhound Puppies For Sale

A sighthound in miniature

The Italian Greyhound is an ancient breed. Small sighthounds of this type appear in Mediterranean art going back thousands of years, and the breed became a favorite of Italian nobility during the Renaissance, which is where the name comes from.

It is not a shrunken Greyhound so much as a sighthound built at its own scale: fine-boned, deep-chested, arched over the loin, with a fine short coat and an extraordinarily light, high-stepping gait. Standing next to one, the impression is of something built entirely for speed.

Sprint, then sleep

Italian Greyhounds run in short explosive bursts and then commit fully to lying down. A securely fenced space where the dog can open up for a few minutes does more for it than a long plodding walk, and the rest of the day tends to be spent horizontal, ideally under a blanket, ideally on a person.

That combination makes them surprisingly practical for apartments. The exercise requirement is real but brief, and the default indoor state is asleep.

The sighthound caveats

Two traits come with the sighthound package.

Prey drive is the first. A moving squirrel, cat, or lizard triggers a chase reflex that outruns any recall you have trained, and a dog this fast covers ground before you finish the word. A leash outside, and a properly enclosed area for off-leash running.

Sensitivity is the second. Italian Greyhounds are emotionally delicate dogs. Harsh voices, sudden household tension, and heavy-handed training all land hard. Reward-based methods and a calm home suit them enormously.

Cold, comfort, and careful handling

A fine coat over a lean frame means an Italian Greyhound feels cold long before you do. Coats and sweaters are practical equipment rather than decoration, and even in Florida an air-conditioned house in February can be chilly for one. They seek out warmth, which is why so many end up under the duvet.

The build also asks for a bit of care in daily handling. Discourage leaping down from high furniture onto hard floors, provide steps to the sofa or bed if that is where the dog lives, and teach children to sit on the floor to interact rather than pick the dog up. Supervise interactions with young children and with larger, boisterous dogs.

Soft bedding is not a luxury for a dog with this little padding.

Grooming and housetraining

Grooming is the easiest part of the breed: a weekly wipe with a soft cloth or grooming mitt, occasional baths, plus nails, ears, and teeth on the usual small-dog schedule. Teeth deserve daily attention.

Housetraining, by contrast, has a reputation for being slow, and the reputation is fair. The breed genuinely dislikes wet grass and cold mornings. Success comes from a strict schedule, a sheltered outdoor spot, generous immediate praise, and no scolding. Plan for it taking longer than you expect and it will bother you less.

Come and see one move

Photographs make Italian Greyhounds look fragile; watching one move makes it clear they are athletes. Ours come from our licensed breeder network.

Visit our Orlando or Nashville store to meet them. Find hours and directions, and ask about financing when you come in.