Is
an Italian Greyhound right for you?
It's
easy to fall in love with the Italian Greyhound breed. Their impish,
affectionate personalities are charming. Their regal appearance
is captivating (and requires almost no grooming). Their size is
ideal for a companion small enough to sit on your lap, but
big enough to be a "real" dog. All of these qualities
make IG's very appealing, but they are definitely NOT for everyone!
While
IG's are "low-maintenance" from a grooming standpoint,
they are very "high-maintenance" emotionally they
can be downright needy in their appetite for attention and affection.
IG's can be stubborn about house-training issues. Italian Greyhounds
sometimes display depression or destructive behavior when they don't
receive adequate time and interaction with their humans.
Italian
Greyhounds generally get along very well with other IG's, small
dogs and cats. IG's are NOT well suited for living with rambunctious
larger dogs or young children (a broken IG leg can mean very high
vet bills).
People
with IG's often refer to themselves as "being owned" by
their dogs. We urge anyone considering adding an Italian Greyhound
to their lives to learn about the breed before doing so. IG's often
live to the age of 15 and beyond, so it's a long-term commitment.
Here
are some links to help you learn more about Italian Greyhounds:
(The links below will open a new browser window.
To return to the IGCGH site, close the new window.)
Official
Breed Standard
Is
an IG the Right Breed for You?
Where
to Get an IG (and Why)
After
your research, if you are convinced that you and an IG are right
for each other, you need to decide whether to purchase from a reputible
breeder, or adopt from rescue. In either case, be prepared for an
extraordinarily rewarding experience!
Purchase
from breeder
this link provides a list of IGCGH member breeders and information
regarding other available IG's
(If you decide to purchase, we urge you to seek a breeder who follows
the IGCA*
Code of Ethics.)
Adopt
through rescue this link connects you to the IGRF* rescue
web page for Houston and South Texas
*IGRF (Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation) was founded by the IGCA
(Italian Greyhound Club of America), which is the national "parent"
club for the breed, and is a separate organization.
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