15 Reasons To Choose An Italian Greyhound As Your Next Pet

Italian Greyhounds are more than just a pretty face. With their charming personality and adaptable nature, they fit seamlessly into many different lifestyles. Whether you’re navigating tight spaces or looking for a low-maintenance companion, this breed offers a lot of surprises for those who get to know them.

Compact Size Suits Urban Layouts

Standing around 14 inches tall and weighing under 15 pounds, Italian Greyhounds fit seamlessly into apartment life. Their petite frame means fewer collisions with furniture, easier navigation in narrow hallways, and minimal floor space usage, which is ideal for high-rise living or shared spaces.

Minimal Care Coats

Forget the groomer’s calendar. The Mini Greyhound’s fine, single-layered coat rarely sheds and doesn’t trap dirt easily. Owners can clean them with a simple wet cloth between baths. That’s one less chore for busy city residents and one less appointment to squeeze into the week.

Rarely Barks

These dogs are naturally quiet and only bark when they perceive a real disturbance, a trait that makes them well-suited for noise-sensitive buildings.  Their calm demeanor helps prevent complaints from neighbors in multi-unit residences, which can be a concern in more vocal breeds.

Easily Housetrained

Housetraining Italian Greyhounds typically involves positive reinforcement, a consistent schedule, and clear boundaries. They’re highly intelligent and tend to learn quickly when structure is in place. With proper guidance, accidents inside a small space become less frequent, making long-term care more manageable for owners.

Tolerates Being Alone

Adaptable in nature, these sensitive companions can handle short absences because they form secure bonds through socialization. When left alone for a few hours, they often stay calm and show little stress. Both dog and owner benefit from this quiet independence.

Thrives In Daily Short Walks

Just 30 minutes of outdoor activity keeps Mini Greyhounds happy. They have bursts of speed but don’t need intense exercise. A brisk walk or light play indoors does the trick, which is suitable for urban professionals with packed routines and no backyard.

Cost Effective Breed

Their compact build and light eating habits mean Italian Greyhounds need less food and smaller essentials, like beds and crates, than larger breeds. That combination translates to lower monthly expenses—an important consideration for city dwellers managing higher living costs.

Low Allergenic Potential

Italian Greyhounds aren’t hypoallergenic, but their short coats and relatively low dander levels may cause fewer reactions in mildly allergic people. They still produce allergens, just less than many heavier-shedding breeds. So, for households with allergy concerns, they’re worth considering.

Unlikely To Damage Household Items

With enough mental stimulation and routine, this breed typically doesn’t chew furniture or knock things over. They aren’t destructive when left alone for reasonable periods and tend to respect their surroundings, particularly when provided with toys for play and designated areas for rest.

Handles Stairs And Elevators

Italian Greyhounds move easily through apartment spaces, whether it’s climbing stairs or riding elevators. Their lightweight build helps reduce joint stress and supports steady movement on different surfaces. This natural agility makes them a practical choice for homes with multiple levels or frequent indoor transitions.

Naturally Clean And Odor-Free

These dogs rarely emit a strong odor. It’s their skin that produces minimal oils, and they’re less prone to the “wet dog smell” that is familiar in other breeds. Paired with their light shedding, these traits help keep your living space cleaner and fresher.

Long Lifespan

Mini Greyhounds are among the longest-lived dog breeds, having an average life expectancy of 13–15 years. The longevity makes them stable companions for those planning an extended solo stay in urban settings, as it reduces the emotional strain of frequent pet loss. You always have someone to come home to.

Social Nature

Inherently sociable and well-mannered, these fur babies get along with other pets and people but prefer. As long as the interactions are taught beforehand in calm and controlled circumstances, they are rarely overwhelming in social settings. They also avoid excessive barking or jumping and adapt gracefully to public urban spaces like cafes, parks, and neighborhood strolls.

Adaptable To Routine Changes

Greyhounds prefer routine but can tolerate moderate changes, adapting to new situations without major behavioral shifts. This breed adjusts calmly to changes, whether your work hours shift, you occasionally travel, or guests frequently visit. That flexibility is beneficial for professionals with shifting jobs and busy households.

Easy To Carry

Weighing under 15 pounds, Italian Greyhounds are remarkably light, which significantly reduces the physical effort required to carry or lift them. Their low weight makes handling easier for people of most ages during travel or vet visits. Such portability enhances overall convenience and comfort without straining the handler’s joints.