Very few dog breeds have a lineage as old as the Italian Greyhound. There is historical documentation that they were one of the favorite pets of the Egyptian pharaohs. It is known that they preferred cats, which they considered sacred, but if they were going to adopt a dog, it was a greyhound.
Breed of millenary origin, and extensive history
This statement is as true as the existence of greyhound remains in graves Egyptian royals. However, this town was not the only one that had greyhounds among its pets, since they have been found vessels of Greek origin with drawings of these animals and it is known that it was through this town that the breed arrived in Italy.
It is currently a mascot of ideal company for elderly people with a predictable pace of life. The compatibility of the greyhound with its owner is exceptional and offers unmatched emotional support. Among the breeds considered perfectly adaptable, highly intelligent and clean skirts is the small and elegant Italian greyhound.
The Italian Greyhound it is one of the oldest races known to man. They have been documented for 5000 years as the mascot of the pharaohs and the Greek aristocratic classes. Such a characteristic lineage was always linked to the nobility, both as a skilled hunter, especially of hares, and as a favorite pet.
The Renaissance was a special time for the breed, as it was in the sixteenth century when he arrived in Italy and its popularity reached peaks in popularity. From then on it became a company mascot for such figures as King Charles I, Queen Victoria of England and Catherine the Great.
Although it is well known that the ancestors of the greyhound come from North Africa, it is in Italy that they were projected and achieved fame and care. Although it was already a beautiful and elegant breed, they followed the breeders' efforts to develop a smaller specimen.
During the XNUMXth century, genetic crosses were on the verge of extinguishing the breed and important efforts were required by specialists to obtain the current breed of italian greyhound that does not exceed five kilos in weight, being included within the miniature dogs or Toy.
Features
With regard to the physical appearance of this small dog, it is very similar to that of its larger relatives. It has a great physical elegance determined by the harmony of its proportions. Its body is square-framed, thin and light and there is no significant difference in size and weight between the male and the female.
The cross height of the Italian Greyhound is 36 to 38 centimeters and its weight ranges from 3,6 kilograms to 5 kilos for both males and females.. The measurements provided in this breed is a very important aspect. The length should be equal to or slightly below the height at the withers.
The length of the skull must be identical to half the length of the head and where the length of the head must not be greater than 40% of the height at the withers. The shape of the head should be elongated, flat and narrow and it has a prominent, pointed snout with an open-nosed nose and dark color almost always black.
The lips of the Italian Greyhound are thin, dark-edged and contiguous on a long jaw and with a scissor bite, the incisor teeth are aligned in a circle. The size is proportional to the size of the greyhound and they are covered by thin cheeks.
The eyes of this dog are very expressive like all those with a large eyeball. It does not have a sunken or protruding appearance. They are usually dark in color and pigmented at the edge of the eyelid, their ears are high, thin with delicate cartilage and fold back at the nape.
The neck is muscular and tapered with the same length as the head. It sits between the shoulders of a body with a rectilinear top line and arched dorsal lumbar region. The back is straight and the chest is deep and narrow down to the elbows.
In its extremities it presents some forelimbs with fine muscles. The bone structure is very fine and it does not have any bulky appearance in any of its members. In addition, their feet are small, with an oval shape.
The body ends in a slim low insertion tail even at the base, where the first half is straight and the end is bent at the tip. The skin is close to the body, free at the elbows, where it is less tight, it is covered with a short and silky coat that varies in color tones.
The Italian Greyhound is a breed that admits all colorsIf you have a single-colored coat, it is permissible to have spots on the chest and feet. The most common shades are black, Elizabethan (pale beige) and slate gray. However, they can also be found in the following colors: red, sable, chocolate brown and fawn.
The gait or movement of this dog is particularly light, graceful and elastic. His gait is compared to the basic movements of riding and the gallop is typical of spring, hence its particular speed and the reason for having been used in dog races.
Temperament
The character of the Italian Greyhound is very unique and very similar to that of the Afghan greyhound. They are docile, affectionate pets and create a special bond with their owners, with whom they are affectionate. They are shy around those they don't know and get along very well with children and other pets, especially if they have been taught to socialize from puppies.
Care, health and diseases
Like most small breed dogs, the Italian Greyhound has excellent longevity being able to live between 12 and 15 years, since they do not require special care, since in general they enjoy great health.
They need to visit the vet twice a year and perform a deep dental cleaning every three years. Thanks to their physiognomy, they are not very resistant to cold climates, so it is necessary to keep them warm in winter time. These pets are very clean, so they will need a monthly bath, after which they must be thoroughly dried.
The coat is maintained with one or two weekly brushings as well as the teeth, which must be groomed with the special products for the breed. Its coat is short and easy to care forJust rub them gently with a cloth or brush them and your hair will shine.
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