Finding Italian Greyhound Puppies for Sale in Texas | Tips for Care

Finding Italian Greyhound Puppies for Sale in Texas

The elegant and delicate Italian Greyhound makes a wonderful companion for the right household. This petite yet energetic hound is the smallest of the sight hounds, weighing just 7 to 14 pounds. Their slender build paired with their love of running makes them built for speed. If you've decided this is the perfect dog for you, finding a reputable breeder with Italian Greyhound puppies for sale in Texas is the next step.

Appearance of the Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound has a slender yet muscular body covered in a short, glossy coat that comes in colors like fawn, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, or various shades of gray and tan. They have long, narrow heads with folded rose ears. Their dark eyes have an alert and intelligent expression. Their long tails curve slightly at the tip. Standing 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder, they move with a distinctive high-stepping gait.

Personality and Temperament

Despite their delicate appearance, Italian Greyhounds are surprisingly hardy. They love being around their family members and will enthusiastically dash around the house or yard at top speed during play sessions. They tend to bond closely with one special person. Without enough exercise and attention, however, they can become high strung or destructive.

This breed likes to be the center of attention and may become jealous when you pay more attention to another pet. Early socialization is essential to prevent them from becoming timid around strangers or new experiences. With their family, however, they are sweet, gentle, and intensely affectionate.

Living Requirements

The Italian Greyhound is best suited to a home with older children and adults. They can adapt well to apartment living provided they receive daily walks and time to run safely several times a week. A small, fenced yard is also nice to give them room to zoom around off leash.

You'll need to supervise them when outdoors since their chase instinct coupled with their speed makes it easy for them to run into danger. The breed should not be kept outdoors since they crave companionship and are sensitive to temperature extremes due to their short, thin coat.

Finding a Reputable Italian Greyhound Breeder in Texas

Since Italian Greyhounds are rare, finding puppies available from a breeder in Texas takes effort and patience. Avoid pet stores and websites selling dogs online; these puppies often come from puppy mills, resulting in health and behavioral issues. Beware of scams too. Instead, go through the Italian Greyhound Club of America for breeder referrals.

Look for breeders involved in showing, sporting, or working activities with their dogs. Reputable breeders focus on health, temperament, conformation standards, and the welfare of the breed. They test their breeding stock for genetic diseases common in the breed. Expect to join a waitlist for upcoming litters.

What to Expect from a Responsible Italian Greyhound Breeder

Ethical Italian Greyhound breeders in Texas want to find good homes for their puppies. They should have plenty of questions for you to ensure you fully understand the breed’s needs. A responsible breeder does the following:

• Offers health and genetic testing documentation
• Has puppies examined by a vet with records available
• Ensures puppies and parents appear happy and healthy
• Requires a spay/neuter contract for pet puppies
• Takes back puppies if ever needed throughout their lives
• Provides health guarantee with contract
• Supplies advice and support even after you take your puppy home

Bringing Your Italian Greyhound Puppy Home

With their natural sensitivity, avoid harsh training methods, yelling, or punishment. Instead, keep training fun and exciting with praise and rewards. Leash-walk them using an adjustable martingale collar. Let them accompany you often since they hate being left alone for long. Provide regular opportunities to stretch their legs at safe parks or fenced areas and watch your petite pup gleefully sprint at top speed!

Tips for Taking Care of Your Italian Greyhound

The stereotypically frail and delicate Italian Greyhound masks its strength and energy once at play or off leash in an open field. Though tiny as they may be, providing excellent care for your IG will ensure a happy, healthy companion for years to come.

Proper Feeding

To fuel their athleticism and keep their slim figure trim, Italian Greyhounds only require 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup of high quality dry dog food divided through the day. Feed a related formula specifically formulated for small, active breeds with a particular balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates to meet energy needs. To aid digestion, serve smaller portions 2 to 3 times daily rather than leaving out a bowl full time. Monitor weight closely and adjust amounts accordingly, feeling for prominent hip or rib bones.

Frequent Exercise

Bundles of energy and speed describe most Italian Greyhounds so daily rigorous exercise is a must! A long walk does little to tire this endurance athlete bred for galloping and racing at lengths over rough field terrain in pursuit of prey. Two good off leash running sessions in a safely enclosed area amounting to 30+ minutes meets minimum requirements. Additional play time with interactive toys keeps mental stimulation high.

Proper Dental Care

That adorable narrow, tapered muzzle gives this breed a graceful, aristocratic appearance but predisposes them to serious dental disease. Missing teeth or advanced periodontal infections often plague the breed. Special toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental specific chew toys paired with regular professional cleanings maintain good oral health to prevent bacterial dissemination causing organ damage.

Temperature Control

Lacking the thick protective undercoat seen in other canines, Italian Greyhounds feel extremes in hot or cold due to little body fat and short hair over a lean muscular frame. Overheating can cause deadly heat stroke without immediate veterinary intervention. In cold weather, they readily shiver, unable to conserve warmth. Inside companionship within temperature controlled homes best suits the breed. Light sweaters provide additional warmth during brief cold weather walks when necessary.

Raising an Italian Greyhound presents challenges but the loyalty and affection of this elegant hound reward those putting in the effort. With responsible breeding, excellent preventative care and proper training, thissensitive sighthound makes the perfect family pet.

FAQs

Do Italian Greyhounds Make Good Apartment Dogs?

Yes, Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living provided they get daily walks and regular opportunities to run safely off leash. Their small size makes them ideal for small homes.

Are Italian Greyhounds Good with Kids?

Italian Greyhounds tend to do best in homes with older children who understand how to properly handle small dogs. Their slender, delicate build means young kids could accidentally hurt them.

How Much Exercise Does an Italian Greyhound Need?

This energetic breed needs around 30-60 minutes of vigorous off leash running or playing fetch every day. Italian Greyhounds also enjoy multiple short play sessions throughout the day to meet their exercise requirements.