The Italian Greyhound is a great dog to own and one that is a lot of fun to have around. You better be prepared to give it a lot of attention, as these dogs are very possessive of your time. They thrive on being the center of attention at all times. This, of course, is not always possible, but the Italian Greyhound will continue to try to be the boss and does not take kindly to being put down by its owner. They do not like being ignored either and will often become destructive if they are ignored or feel they are being ignored. It's very important to show this dog on day #1 who is the boss and hopefully this will be you and not the dog!
The Italian Greyhound likes children and gets along well with them, especially children that want to spend a lot of time with them. It is very important to show young children how to hold the Italian Greyhound as their bones and joints break very easily. Often, the child doesn't mean to hurt the dog, but may squeeze him too hard or the dog may try to jump out of the child's hand and land on the floor hurting himself.
The Italian Greyhound is an easy dog to own as far as maintenance is concerned, needing very little care other than routine maintenance. Their coat requires only the simple occasional brushing. The hardest part of their maintenance is making sure their teeth are brushed. They are not a sturdy dog, cannot withstand the cold, and must be protected. If you are looking for a family pet that can play outside year round, the Italian Greyhound is not the dog for your family, unless you want to keep dressing the dog up in cooler weather. They are not your typical dog for playing catch as they are not good at retrieving and they definitely are not going to learn this just because their owner wants them to!
The Italian Greyhound is known for taking things of their owners and hiding them. They are also vindictive in the home if they feel they are not getting all the attention they should be receiving. Many of them will have "accidents" in the home as a way of getting even. They have a very inquisitive mind and are also watching to see what you are doing. They are capable of being quiet and couch potatoes as well.
One of their most endearing qualities, besides their eyes, is their loving personality when they are feeling secure and loved. They are perfectly content lying next to you in bed or on the couch. Because of their warm clinging personality, it is very easy to spoil this dog. If you want a very obedient family pet for you and the children, the Italian Greyhound is probably not the right dog for you. But they will give you and your entire family all the love they can if treated the way they want to be treated.
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