Temperament of the Italian greyhound
The Temperament of the Italian Greyhound : a tender heart … on four very fast paws
The Italian Greyhound is not just a dog: he is an aristocratic creature in miniature, a concentrate of charm on tapered paws, a declaration of love with the look of a Greek statue and the little head that slips under your sweater. Yes, because if there’s one thing this little greyhound loves more than running-it’s being all over his human. Not “near,” not “next to,” not “around.” On him. In his lap. Under the sweatshirt. With his snout between his ribs and the rest of his body rolled up wherever he happens to be.
Affectionate ? More.
With those who know (and approve, because it’s not like he’s someone who gives confidence so randomly) the Italian greyhound is a constant, sticky, irresistible affection. If he were a person, he would be the one who sends you 12 messages while you are in the bathroom and waits outside the door hugging your pajamas.
If you look for him-he’s where you are. If you can’t find him-it’s because he’s inside one of your sleeves. There is no time when he doesn’t want to cling to you: sitting down? Jumping into his arms. In bed? He sticks to your chest like a living scarf. Standing up? He looks at you with a martyr’s look as if to say, “So what about me? Where do I stand?”
Shy with the unfamiliar (and also a bit of a snob)
With strangers, however, he changes his tune completely. If you think you’re going to take him to the park to make new friends, you’re way off the mark: at best he’ll give you a regal gait while pretending not to see anyone. A small Italian greyhound does not jump on you to party. At most he’ll give you an oblique glance, worthy of a disturbed duchess during tea. “Touch? Me? From these people? Never at all.”
He is not shy; he is selective. The temperament of the Italian greyhound leads him to become deeply attached, but once every eclipse. His trust is earned with patience, style and a very soft blanket.
More dogs?
With other dogs, the matter is … delicate. He doesn’t necessarily hate them, but he doesn’t necessarily tolerate them either. The temperament of the Italian greyhound and his idea of canine sociability is similar to those who put up with relatives only at Christmas: “Only if I have to, only for a little while, and only if they don’t have too many parties.”
A small Italian greyhound wants his peace, his human and his place on the couch. The pack games perplex him. “Why do they all run? Don’t they get tired? And why do they make so much noise?”
With cats? Complicated negotiation.
If you also have a cat in your home, be prepared for a UN-style diplomatic meeting. Some PLIs can get along with felines–others see them as a perfect combination of prey and nuisance.
To understand: cohabitation can only work if the cat is still, polite, and possibly invisible. As soon as it runs… the greyhound activates as if it were on a coursing track. And you? Chasing after them with slipper in hand yelling “STOP!”
Yes, it will take a lot of patience (and probably some closed doors).
Indoor life. Always.
Don’t even try to tell him, “Come on, stay outside for a while it’s sunny!” He will answer you with a look, “Outside? As in–out of the heat? Are you crazy?”
The Italian greyhound hates the cold. So does the humidity. So does air conditioning. And also long hallways without carpets. He is an indoor indoor dog, sofa-bed-soft-sleeper-type dog-
It is not a rustic dog. It is not a backyard dog. It is a blanket dog, period.
The temperament of the Italian greyhound : Lively is putting it mildly.
When he’s not glued to you like a second skin, he’s running around the house like a crazy spinning top.
He runs, spins, jumps, and climbs cushions like a sleek little ninja. He is a perfect mix between a gazelle and a designer model: light, snappy, beautiful … and dangerously lively.
Never leave a sock in his snout’s reach: he disappears in 4 seconds flat. The runs between rooms look like an action movie, and if he happens to see a bug–he chases it as if on a mission for MI6.
A greyhound with a sense of humor
The beauty of the temperament of the Italian Greyhound is that in addition to being elegant, affectionate and sweetly theatrical … he has a sense of humor all his own. If you scold him, he looks at you offended. If he hits a wall, he gets back up with dignity as if nothing happened. If you put a little coat on him, he struts like he’s on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week.
He is a dog with personality, and he is not afraid to show it. And you, lucky human, are his whole world. But you must be worthy of this devotion.
The temperament of the Italian greyhound at a glance?
The Italian Greyhound is:
- A love with ballet dancer’s legs
- Constant body heat (especially on the stomach as you try to work)
- A critical observer of the world
- A parlor runner
- A loving companion, but not for everyone: just for you.
Those who know him love him. Those who meet him … watch him from afar, while he, wearing his beige cover, clings to those he has chosen as human. The temperament of the Italian greyhound in his silent language says:
“I am fine only here. On your lap. Under your sweatshirt. In your life.”
