If you’re considering an Italian Greyhound rescue, there are some important facts you should know.
As with any breed, doing your homework is essential before taking on an Italian Greyhound rescue.
It’s important to know what to expect with the breed and its health issues.
Related: How to Choose the Best Dog Rescue
Italian Greyhound Rescue Considerations
The Italian Greyhounds is wonderful breed. This breed is known for its loving demeanor towards family as well as its intelligence – and SPEED. Like all dogs, Italian Greyhounds have their own unique breed traits and health concerns, and it’s important to know these before adopting an Italian Greyhound, or any breed for that matter.
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Allergen Concerns
An Italian Greyhound rescue is a good choice for a person with mild allergies. Although this breed isn’t completely shed-free, it does shed markedly less than many other breeds. This extremely low shed factor makes the Italian Greyhound an excellent choice for someone looking for a dog that won’t bother their allergies but who isn’t particularly interested in a traditional lap dog.
Related: Hypoallergenic Dog Food – Because Dogs Have Allergies, Too
Temperament
This breed has a gentle personality, and it is loving and affectionate with family members. Although it is doting with its family members, like any Greyhound, it tends to be shy and timid around strangers. Although if given a few minutes, it will generally warm up to the new person.
Be aware going in that this breed is high maintenance. It wants to be with you at all times. In addition to that, it is highly inquisitive, and it has an extremely high prey drive. That means it will get into anything that catches its interest, and it will chase any and all creatures in your yard. As this dog can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, you absolutely must have a fenced in yard if you want to have play time safely and always walk it on a leash.
Related: 15 Fascinating Facts About Greyhounds
Trainability
Italian Greyhounds are smart. Super smart. They are exceedingly easy to train IF you make it fun for them. When you get an Italian Greyhound rescue, remember this important fact when training it: it wants something in return. This breed has a distinct “What do I get out of this?” personality. Once you find its currency, the Italian Greyhound is a joy to train because it’s eager to please, learn, and of course, get its payoff. =D
Medical Issues
Although your Italian Greyhound rescue will by no means be made of glass, like any breed, it has some health issues common to its breed that you need to know about before adopting.
- Dental Disease: Italian Greyhounds are known for their incredibly terrible teeth. They just fall out of their heads. If you get an Italian Greyhound rescue, be aware that you need to pay close attention to their teeth. Chew, regular brushing, and routine dental cleanings are all required to keep the teeth inside your dog’s mouth.
- Cataracts: Italian Greyhounds are prone to early onset cataracts. Many times, this breed will develop the condition as early as three years of age. They can also experience retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma.
- Allergies: Italian Greyhounds are moderately prone to allergies, which can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections.
- Luxatin Patella: Also known as “floating kneecap” is common in the breed.
- Anesthesia Sensitivity: Because of their extremely low body fat, Italian Greyhounds, like all sighthounds, are sensitive to anesthesia, so be sure you have an experienced vet for any and all instances where anesthesia is required.
- Other Health Issues: Although not as common, other health issues that can occur in your Italian Greyhound rescue are heart disease, hypothyroidism, blood-clotting disease, deafness, liver shunt, and hypoglycemia.
Related: 100 Italian Greyhound Names and funny Italian dog names To Choose From
An Italian Greyhound Rescue Can be a Great Choice
If you have an active family that loves to get out and play, an Italian Greyhound rescue may be right for you. It’s extremely high energy and doting personality make it the perfect companion for families who love to get out in the yard and play and then come in for a little rest and snuggle time.
Have you ever gone through an Italian Greyhound rescue? What tips do you have?
