All About IGs
We have many years of experience living with Italian Greyhounds and training foster Italian Greyhounds. We’ve written articles on training, exercising, feeding, mental stimulation, and other important things to know about Italian Greyhounds. Take a gander through our articles before bringing an IG into your home, or if you need help with an IG you are currently living with.
Article Categories:
- Food (2)
- Games/Mental Stimulation (3)
- Health (5)
- Important Things to Know About IGs (10)
- Training (3)
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Italian Greyhounds and Electric fences
Italian Greyhounds and underground/electric fences do not go well together. Italian Greyhounds will take the shock if they are locked onto a fast moving animal like a bunny, deer, or a squirrel. They are 100% sighthounds and once their prey drive is activated, they will not stop or think twice about the boundary of the…
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Housetraining your IG
Housetraining the Italian Greyhound can be a very difficult task. Not being housetrained is the number one reason Italian Greyhounds are surrendered into our program..hundreds each year! Although a lifelong commitment with set backs each time the weather changes, housetraining an IG can be accomplished with some work, the right attitude and approach. However it…
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The Truth about Italian Greyhounds
Below is a list of the most common questions we hear about Italian Greyhounds. If you read nothing else before acquiring an Italian Greyhound, please read this page. This page was compiled by Italian Greyhound Rescue volunteers who have many years of experience with the breed and the people who adopt and surrender Italian Greyhounds.…
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IGs and Leg Breaks
Are Italian Greyhounds More Likely to Break a Leg? If you’ve done much research into Italian Greyhounds online, you might have come to the conclusion that despite their delicate appearance Italian Greyhounds are a “hardy” breed. What should you believe, and how fragile are Italian Greyhounds? We’ve been rescuing Italian Greyhounds for over 40 years…
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IGs and Children
Small dog and small child, what could be cuter, right? Except the reality is that it takes a lot of work to parent both small children and an Italian Greyhound. Italian Greyhounds are typically not a good choice for a household with very small children, or older children who want to be able to “roughhouse”…
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What to Feed Your IG
When was the last time you enjoyed a bowl of Total or Special K for breakfast? It may have been earlier this week or even as recently as this morning. But when was the last time you ate that cereal exclusively for your breakfast, lunch and dinner? I bet the answer is never! Still, that…
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Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Dogs go wild for homemade treats with high meat content. Try out the recipes below and your dog will thank you. Liver Treats 1 lb chicken liver, drained if sold in container with blood2 eggs1 cup flour Mix above in a food processor. Push into heat safe silicone dog treat molds, or a glass 9×13″…
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IG Clothing
Italian Greyhounds have a very short, thin coat which doesn’t protect them from cold weather. They require clothes and coats during the colder months to keep them warm and protected. Fleece long legged pajamas and coats are a must during the winter months. Many IG Clothing Companies Being a breed who needs warm clothes and…
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Indoor IG Activities
Let’s pretend for a moment you are your dog. You have no job or duties besides eating, keeping someone’s lap warm and perhaps barking at a few strangers who dare pass in front of your house. Your days consist of a lot of sleeping, as do your nights. This might sound like a great vacation…
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The Importance of Exercise
Italian Greyhounds are an active and athletic breed that require some good hearty exercise. Walking is a key element in having a healthy and happy dog. Years ago dogs worked, moved and hunted for their food. In today’s world many dogs are alone, trapped inside four walls for 8 to 10 hours each day. This…
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Winter HouseTraining – Potty Shelters
Many IGs will refuse to go outside when it’s cold, windy, raining or snowing. What’s an owner to do who refuses to let their IG potty in the house (and we are definitely with you if you do not allow this!)? Please see our Housetraining page for more information. Outdoor Potty Shelters Many IG owners…
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Importance of Keeping Your IGs Toe nails Short
Some dogs hate nail trimming, others merely tolerate it, almost none like it. Some dogs need tranquillizers to make it through the process without biting, while others sleep through the procedure without a care. No matter what your dog’s personal take is on nail clipping, it is something you should do for your IGs regularly…
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FAQs about IGs
A Unique Breed The Italian Greyhound is registered with the American Kennel Club as a member of the toy group. This breed is believed to have originated over 2000 years ago. Italian Greyhounds are very active, inquisitive little animals who enjoy giving and receiving love immensely. Being people oriented, they require the stimulation of quality…
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Not a Regular Greyhound
NOTE: This is somewhat of a humorous account written by a friend and fellow owner of both Greyhounds and Italian Greyhounds. Italian Greyhounds are NOT small greyhounds. IGs are a toy breed whose only similiarity to the greyhound is their look! That’s it. They are NOT couch potatoes, they are not easy to train like…
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Breeding your IG
After acquiring a puppy, many people think about breeding their Italian Greyhound. The reasons for this are many. Some people love their dog so much, they want another one “just like Fido.” Some people want to “recover” the money that they paid the breeder for their puppy. Some peole want to show their children the…
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Training Your IG
One of the questions on our adoption application is “Will you be taking your dog to obedience classes?” The answer often surprises me as most potential adopters answer the question with a confident “only if the dog needs it”. As someone who has adopted several dogs and fostered hundreds, I can tell you that most…
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Please Read Before Bringing Home an IG
…from a dog’s point of view.
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Why not to buy from a Pet Store
This is Tina. She was used as a puppy-producer at a puppy mill. When she became too sick to profitably produce puppies, she was dumped in an animal shelter by the puppy mill owner. IGCA Rescue-WI saved Tina, but one of her front legs was so badly infected, gangrene had set in. The leg had…