Dit is een oud ras dat in gemummificeerde vorm al is aangetroffen in graven van farao's. Cleopatra hield ze al als gezelschap en ze zijn in de mode geweest in het oude Griekenland. Vandaar kwamen ze bij de Romeinen terecht. Gedurende de eeuwen bekoorden Italiaanse Windhonden de edelen en notabelen; ze zijn op tal van schilderijen uit de 17e en 18e eeuw afgebeeld.

Algemeen voorkomen
Een miniatuur van de Greyhound en Sloughi, die zich lenig en licht beweegt. Vierkante bouw met elegante belijning en haast overdreven verfijning en adellijkheid.

Schofthoogte
reuen en teven 32 - 38 cm

Gewicht
3,5 – 5 kg

Vacht
De huid is dun, de beharing kort en fijn. De Italiaanse Windhond is eenkleurig: van zwart, leigrijs tot isabelkleurig. Wit aan de borst en voeten is toegestaan.

Gebruik
zichtjager op konijnen, gezelschapshond

Gezondheid
Hoewel volwassen Italiaanse Windhonden sterke honden zijn en een hoge leeftijd kunnen bereiken, kunnen jonge dieren in hun omstuimigheid soms een been breken. Incidenteel komen epilepsie en erfelijke oogafwijkingen voor.

Aard
Kwiek, vlot, vrolijk, volgzaam, zachtaardig, aanhankelijk en intelligent. Vereist een benadering met zachte hand, anders trekt hij zich 'uit de relatie terug'. Ondeugend, met humor. Niet geschikt voor kleine kinderen.

Bijzonderheden
Af en toe verzorgen met een zachte borstel of opwrijven met een zeemleren lap. Gebit regelmatig controleren op tandsteen.

ITALIAN GREYHOUND Standard 1994

GENERAL APPEARANCE
A greyhound in miniature, more slender in all proportions. Elegant, graceful and quick moving.

TEMPERAMENT
Sensitive, alert and aloof. Intelligent, affectionate and vivacious, may appear aloof.

HEAD AND SKULL
Skull long, flat and narrow, slight stop. Muzzle fine and long. Nose dark in colour.

EYES
Rather large, bright; full of expression.

EARS
Rose-shaped, placed well back, soft and fine, not pricked.

MOUTH
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth even.

NECK
Long, gracefully arched.

FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders long and sloping. Legs straight; well set under shoulders; fine, strong bone and pasterns.

BODY
Chest deep and narrow. Good length of rib and brisket. Back slightly arched over loin.

HINDQUARTERS
Long, well muscled thigh: hind legs parallel when viewed from behind; well bent stifle, hocks well let down.

FEET
Hare feet.

TAIL
Low set, long, fine, carried low.

GAIT/ MOVEMENT
High stepping and free action. Front and hind legs to move forward in a straight line with propulsion from behind.

COAT

Skin fine and supple. Hair, short, fine and glossy.

COLOUR
Black, blue, cream, fawn, red, white, or any of these colours broken with white. White dogs may be broken with one of these colours. Black or blue with tan markings, or brindle not acceptable.

SIZE
Ideal height: 32-38 cms (13-15ins) at withers. Ideal weight: 3.6-4.5 kg (8-10 lbs). Overall type and elegance essential.

FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

About the Italian Greyhound

History
The Italian greyhound has been around for many centuries, but exactly how and when this miniaturized greyhound was developed has been lost in time. Evidence of dogs resembling the Italian greyhound can be found in art dating nearly 2,000 years ago from Turkey, Greece and other areas around the Mediterranean. By the Middle Ages, miniaturized greyhounds could be found throughout southern Europe, but they found special favor with Italian courtiers. The breed came to England in the 17th century, quickly becoming as popular with nobility there as they had been in their Italian homeland. In 1820, the Italian greyhound was one of only two toy breeds mentioned in a book about dogs. The Italian greyhound continued to find favor, reaching its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria. After that time, its numbers declined, however, and the breed dwindled to such an extent that it almost disappeared in England after World War II. One possible reason for its decline was a degradation in quality, because dogs were bred for tiny size, often without regard to soundness and health. Fortunately, Italian greyhounds had come to America in the late 1800s, and even though their numbers were small, these dogs were of high quality. They, along with other imports, helped revive the breed in Europe. Since then, the Italian greyhound has risen gradually in popularity and is now enjoying a second renaissance.

Temperament
A sighthound in a small package, the Italian greyhound shares its larger relatives’ characteristics. It loves to run and chase. It is extremely gentle and sensitive. Reserved, often timid, with strangers, it is devoted to its family and is good with children, and other dogs and pets. However, it can be easily injured by boisterous children and larger dogs.

Upkeep
The Italian greyhound likes a daily romp outdoors, but it hates the cold. Its exercise needs are best met with a good walk on leash or even a rollicking game indoors. It also likes to stretch out and sprint in a fenced area. This breed cannot live outdoors. Care of the fine short hair is minimal, consisting only of occasional brushing to remove dead hair. Regular brushing of the teeth is important in this breed.

Health
• Major concerns: peridontal disease
• Minor concerns: epilepsy, leg fractures, patellar luxation, PRA
• Occasionally seen: none
• Suggested tests: knee, eye
• Life span: 12 – 15 years
• Note: The breed is susceptible to leg and tail fractures. It shares the sighthound sensitivity to anesthesia and barbituates.

Form and Function
Essentially a slender miniature greyhound, the Italian greyhound is exceptionally elegant and graceful. It embodies the same qualities that enable the full-sized greyhound to run at top speed using the double-suspension gallop: a curvaceous outline with a slight arch over the loin and good rear angulation. Its gait is high-stepping and free. The coat is short and glossy, like satin.