Should I Get An Italian Greyhound?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
My wife wants a dog. I only will get a dog if it doesn’t bark much, doesn’t drool, doesn’t stink, and isn’t hyper. Also, I don’t want a dog that sheds a lot. After some initial research, I found out about Italian Greyhounds. Would this dog be a good fit? Both of us work, but she has most of the summer off, so she could do some initial training during the summer, but other than that it would be normal 9 – 5 for both of us (and we don’t have kids). Or, should we stick with hamsters and fish?
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~ IG are great little dogs BUT everyone that has ever had one has said they are harder then hell to potty train. This has not been from one or two people but it is a common problem.. Also if it is raining, forget about it, they will not go outside. They hate water! If you live in area that rains a good amount, maybe you should think of another dog. They are not heavy shedders, do not drool or stink as long as you bath them once every 2-3 months. The only thing to really think about is the train ability. Another neat thing about IG’s is they LOVE LOVE LOVE to sleep in bed with you and under the covers. They are very similar to Chihuahua’s only with longer legs. They can be barkers but this is not common. I think they are wonderful dogs and have fallen in love with everyone of them I have met, just make sure you know what you are in for and devote A LOT of time to training. Wait until your wife is not working before getting one and then really put the effort to training so you have a well behaved dog when it is time to go back to work. Another idea is to adopt an older dog. You can save a life and have a lot of the difficult things out of the way. There are IG resuces and petfinder is another good place to search.
You dont have to get the greyhound from a puppy as there are thousands of greyhounds that need rehoming after they retire from racing, this will therefore save time on training and will be a good deed! Although if you are both working during the days then I am not sure that a dog a best, they require alot of attention and may get lonely at home alone. Hope I have helped.
I don’t think you should stick with hamsters and fish because both of you normally work. What does concern me is all the conditions you put on a dog. All dogs bark if untrained and most all dogs, including Italian greyhounds, are hyper if they aren’t properly exercised or trained. And by the way, most smooth-coated dogs shed a lot more than long-haired ones. I can’t comment on your wife, but I don’t think you want a dog at all given all the conditions, maybe this wouldn’t be fair to a dog.
Italian Greyhounds are great dogs, but they are not for everybody
Here is information on the breed that will help you decide whether or not this breed is right for you.http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews…http://www.akc.org/breeds/italian_greyho…http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/italiangreyh…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Gre…
Greyhounds are great dogs. Very calm, laid back dogs. People who own them describe them as big cats. Check out a local greyhound rescue. There are a lot of retired racing greyhounds out there.
it should work, they are pretty good dogs so you should get one. don’t get one if you can’t be there to comfort and take care of it
hope this helps!
hi,
you better try this dog match up ttp://dogtime.com/matchup/start
this will help you find a dog who suits your personality and lifestyle.
hope this helps.
IG’s are great dogs, but you have to know a few things going into them. They are HORIBBLE to house break, they need a lot of attention and they also break easily. I have had both my iggys for three and two years, and they have never learned to not pee in their crates or carpet. They are very affectionate and love to sleep with you, but they develope an oder quickly because they are so short coated. So you need to be awaire that you have to wash the bed-clothes often. As to breaking, they are prone to tail fractures and leg breaks. My littlest one fell and broke her leg just a few days ago and it’s setting us back a couple of grand. And while they need attention and exercise, they don’t need to be active all the time. They’re called the 90 mile per hour couch potato because for about 15 mins of the day they are wiggly, wild and bouncy. For the rest of the day, they are under a blanket somewhere dead asleep!
My husband and I crack that their minds are like computer hard drives. No matter what has been stored the previous few weeks, at the beginning of the month, all memory is erased and we start over again…lol.
But all in all they are very loving and we would never trade them for the world, they are precious.
If dogs are fed a high quality dog food, bathed, and their bedding is clean…then they don’t stink (neither of mine smell bad)
Most dogs drool at least a little bit, and if they don’t then they slop their water around when they get a drink. There is usually a trail of water for a good two feet after a long drink.
I’ve never met a dog that didn’t shed. I have an American Bulldog and the research I did before we got her said she would be an average shedder. Ya right…short haired dogs shed just as much as the long haired breeds…if not more, and depending on the coat…they might be short hairs that stick into everything and are near impossible to remove.
Dogs can be trained not to bark, but that is one way they communicate…so…there will be barking. And in general dogs require training…period. It’s a lot of work and you have to be committed to it. Don’t forget home obedience classes.
Puppies in general are hyper…so if you don’t want hyper then look for an older dog. You can’t necessarily go by the breed…they all can be hyper or not, and all require daily walking and exercise.
Working isn’t an issue…my husband and I both work and we have two well adjusted happy dogs. The issue…is all of your “requirements”. If this is how you feel than you need to figure out if these are things you can live with. It’s not fair to adopt or buy a dog then decide that because it’s hyper, or barks, or drools, that you don’t want it anymore. When you get a dog it is a committement for the life of the dog…and you’ll owe that dog a great life.
I was surprised about some things when we got our first puppy…and the seats of my car are covered in dog hair that won’t come out, but I love her to death and wouldn’t change anything about her. You and your wife need to both be on board and in 100% agreement on a dog. Then when Fido turns out to be a shedder or the tazmanian devil, you’ll work through those issues together so that you, your wife and Fido are all happy!
Edit: I see the thumbs down fairies are out in full force today!
My wife and I — both work 9-5 jobs; no kids — adopted an IG just over one year ago.
Our IG rarely barks, likes to lick but doesn’t drool, and doesn’t smell. And because we do give it about 1 1/2 hours of exercise per day (whether through walks, runs, roller blading, or flat out sprinting), our IG is not very hyper.
Contrary to what most people have said, our IG almost never has indoor accidents (maybe 6 months ago was the last time?).
Our IG — like most — takes sleeping and running to the extreme. She can sleep in one place for hours on end, but when she has energy to burn, she goes all out (which is why skating is great for her).
IG’s hate the cold. We live in the upper Midwest, so for 3-4 months out of the year, our IG wears a coat and booties.
Yes, it’s a “needy” breed, but if you put in the time — daily exercise is important — any anxiety issues should be minimal.
They can be stubborn — it’s important to be firm but yet gentle in discipline.
I guess what I’ve said thus far about IG’s matches up w/ your “preferred dog.”
Regardless, before you even look at specific dog breeds, please make sure a dog — any dog — is right for you and your wife. For example, I noticed that you said “my wife wants a dog.” You should both want a dog. Dog ownership is a rewarding and fun experience, but just as much, it’s a challenge that will require both you and your wife’s energy and effort. You both need to be committed.
My suggestion: dog sit for a weekend, or better yet, maybe a week. Also, you could check online for any area shelters/rescue groups who need temporary foster families. Whether it be an IG or any other breed, this will give you a taste of dog ownership without requiring you and your wife to make an all-out commitment.
My family has a Italian Greyhound…. In my most honest opinion I don’t think it’s the dog for you.
You say you work a a lot and the dog would be home alone 9-5. IG < ----- That's what owners call them! Most have separation anxiety and want to be around theirs owners They scream !!!! When they want attention other wise it's pretty quiet. It's a nervous breed There are notoriously hard to housebreak !! Many are given up to IG rescue cause of their housebreaking issues. They can be housebroke BUT it's not the most reliable dog.
Now for the good things about IG's ! They are the most loving (males more so) little dogs. They just completely and utterly steal your heart. Very clean little bodies almost no odor and only slight shedding. Very smart and stays babyish it's entire life. Not very hyper. I loves to run around and go for walks and play but it's NOT a skitzo 24/7 but "busy". They love to be loved and cuddled. They love warm soft places to sleep.
Stranger will constantly stop you to talk about your IG !
I am going to give you a link to A IG rescue as this is a pretty rare breed and you might not get the grittiest answers here. ----> look here —> tell you EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS DOG !!! http://www.italiangreyhoundrescue.org/ma… perhaps you could email the rescue group and they could tell you more…. It’s great that you are making an informed decisions BEFORE acquiring a dog.
I have many dog owning friends may I suggest you look into the Japanese Chin… It’s a lovely small dog. It housebreaks ok iS VERY QUIET. Has “hair” so check the shedding. .. It’s good staying home alone — My friend has had one for years. Single gal that works full time dog is GREAT!