Brainz

A very old breed with records from Egyptian tombs dating 6,000 years old, the Italian Greyhound is also depicted on Mediterranean art from 2,000 years ago and was a favourite among noblemen during the Renaissance era. The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sight hound breeds, standing at a height of 13 to 15 inches and weighing from 8 to 18 pounds. It is a slender, fine-boned dog resembling a Sloughi but smaller. It has a long and narrow head and a muzzle that tapers to a point. Its eyes are dark and medium sized. It has a long neck that is arched, a deep and narrow chest and straight front legs. Its tail is long, set low and thin as it tapers to a fine point. It has a short and glossy coat that lies close to the body. Colours come in a wide variety including gray, slate gray, red, fawn, blue, black, white or cream.

Like true greyhounds, it can run at top speed, achieving speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. It is fast, extremely agile and active. As a sight hound, the Italian Greyhound has a high predator drive and hunts by instincts. An excellent companion dog, it is gentle, affectionate, keen, playful and mild-mannered. They get along well with children, as well as dogs and other non-canine pets. Classified as a toy dog, the Italian Greyhound can be very dependent on its owner and can be difficult to housebreak. They can live from 12 to 15 years.