Italian Greyhound

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

The Italian Grey-hounds are greyhound in miniature, more slender in all proportions. They are elegant, graceful and quick moving with an intelligent, affectionate and vivacious, temperament. 

The head is long, flat and narrow with a slight stop. The muzzles are fine and long. The nose is dark in colour. 

The eyes are large, bright and are full of expression. The ears are rose- shaped, placed well back, soft and fine, not pricked. The jaws are strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite. The upper teeth slightly overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth are even. The neck is long and gracefully arched.  

The shoulders are long and sloping. Legs are straight and well set under the shoulders with strong bone and pasterns. The chest is deep and narrow. Good length of rib and brisket. The back is slightly arched over the loins. 

They have long, well muscled thighs, hind legs appear parallel when viewed from behind; well bent stifle, hocks well let down. They have hare feet. The tail is low set, long, fine and carried low. The movement is high stepping with free action, front and hind legs to move forward in a straight line with propulsion from behind.  

The coat is fine supple. The hair is short, fine and glossy.  

They are coloured black, blue, cream, fawn, red, white or any of these colours broken with white. White dogs may have patches of these colours. Black or blue with tan markings, or brindle is not acceptable. 

They weigh from 2.7 – 4.5 kg. (6 – 10 lbs).

The male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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