A true Greyhound in miniature, the elegant Italian Greyhound is an alert, playful, and highly affectionate toy companion. IGs make decorative couch dogs, but at heart they are flash-and-dash coursing hounds with an instinct for pursuit. The Italian Greyhound is sweet-natured and gentle, yet also exceptionally playful and athletic. The Italian Greyhound was favored by noblewomen in Italy during the Middle Ages. But beyond being aristocratic companions, these small sighthounds had the speed, endurance, and determination to hunt small game. Today, they are family dogs admired for their beauty and athleticism.
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Italian greyhounds get cold very easily, especially in the winter time. They are known for wearing sweaters and clothes to keep them warm, and you can always find them curled up under a blanket. The Italian Greyhound has a gentle personality, loving and affectionate with family members, but often reserved or shy with strangers. Despite his mild nature, he has a surprisingly deep, big-dog bark, making him a good watchdog — although he’s too small to back up his barks and provide any actual protection.