The Italian Greyhound is a loving and affectionate breed that adores being around its humans and staying active. It’s just as happy cuddling up on the couch as it is walking and hiking in the great outdoors.
In this guide, we’ve given you all the information and facts you need about the temperament and personality of the Italian Greyhound so that you can decide if this is the right dog for you.
The Italian Greyhound breed has a reputation for being delicate and elegant but there’s more to them than meets the eye. Whether you’re bringing home an Italian Greyhound puppy or adopting an adult, you’ll soon discover their unique blend of intelligence, affection, and quiet charm. Here’s a closer look at the main personality traits of the Italian Greyhound.
The Italian Greyhound is an intelligent breed that requires an adequate amount of mental stimulation to keep it happy.
However, the Italian Greyhound dog breed does tend to have a short attention span, which can make it difficult to train even with consistent training. So, it’s usually a good idea to enrol Italian Greyhound puppies in a puppy kindergarten class.
Italian Greyhounds are very friendly dogs that thrive on love and attention and give plenty back in return. They’re among the most affectionate dog breeds out there, so get ready for many cuddles.
Although your Italian Greyhound puppy should be very affectionate, there is also a chance that it will be overly shy. This is a part of the breed’s temperament but can negatively affect your dog’s life if it becomes too severe.
A good way to tell if your Italian Greyhound will suffer from excessive shyness is to meet your puppy’s parents or to speak to the pet store before you buy it. You can then see what traits your puppy is likely to inherit before you bring your dog home.
Although they’re dogs bred for racing and hunting small game, Italian Greyhounds are surprisingly docile compared to other breeds. Your furry friend might end up as a bit of a couch potato if you’re not careful so make sure you encourage them to go on plenty of walks.
Their docile nature means they are well-suited to apartment living.
How well do Italian Greyhounds adapt to family life? and what should you know before introducing one into your household? Let’s take a closer look at what makes this sleek and sweet-natured breed such a popular choice for dog lovers.
The Italian Greyhound will usually get on well with the dogs in the home. However, you should supervise them around very small dogs as their natural prey drive may cause them to give chase.
Italian Greyhounds are usually happy to spend time with other animals, which shouldn’t be an issue for your pooch. Again, you will need to supervise them around very small animals due to their natural prey drive.
The Italian Greyhound will be affectionate towards all family members, including kids. However, as the breed is fairly delicate, pet parents will need to teach young kids how to properly behave around the Italian Greyhound and play with them gently.
Due to their intelligence, Italian Greyhounds can be a bit mischievous and unruly if they’re not properly trained from a young age. Poor socialisation when young can lead to it becoming disobedient as an adult dog.
This is common in many breeds, but particularly for the Italian Greyhound. Reputable breeders who have been breeding dogs responsibly will be able to provide you with information about the traits your Italian Greyhound will likely inherit from its parents. Hence, it’s always good to ask.
The Italian Greyhound is a loyal breed that adores its owners and loves nothing more than spending time with them. This means that they are prone to separation anxiety and shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time.
The Italian Greyhound is a quiet and reserved breed that doesn’t tend to bark a lot. However, it will bark to alert its owners to strangers approaching the home, which means it can make a good watchdog.
The Italian Greyhound is an active dog and requires regular, daily walks to keep in good shape. As it’s a part of the sighthound family, it can also make a good participant in various dog sports.
It’s important that your dog gets enough exercise as this will keep it stimulated and mean you’ll have a much healthier dog that’s fit and happy.
If you’re looking for a pooch that’s sweet-natured, active and incredibly loyal, then the Italian Greyhound may just be the perfect choice for you. It can make a great addition to any family and will become a devoted member of the household.
Although they can be a little tricky to train, it’s well worth it, and you definitely won’t regret choosing this breed as your next furry friend.
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