Do Italian Greyhounds Shed?

Italian Greyhounds are some of the cutest little dogs that make an excellent addition to almost any household. They’re small enough that apartment living doesn’t bother them, energetic enough to keep up with the most active owner, and tend to be really great with kids and other dogs. 

If you or someone you live with suffers from allergies to dogs or are a little bit of a clean freak, owning a dog can be intimidating. Dogs and other animals shed fur sometimes, and it ends up on the floor and furniture. If your heart is set on getting an Iggy, you’re probably wondering whether they shed or not. 

Italian Greyhounds do shed. They’re a dog, and it’s almost impossible to avoid shedding altogether. 

How Much Do Italian Greyhounds Shed?

While Italian Greyhounds shed, the good news is that they don’t shed that much compared to other dog breeds. Since Iggys are a hypoallergenic dog breed, the amount that they shed is considerably less than other short-haired dog breeds and, of course, long hair dog breeds.

Italian Greyhounds don’t shed very much at all, and they’re relatively low-maintenance. They only need their coats brushed every so often, specifically when it looks like it’s getting dusty. You’ll want to invest in an excellent brush for Italian Greyhounds to ensure you’re giving them the best care since their fur is very short and close to their skin. 

Quick Overview of Italian Greyhounds

Historians believe that Italian Greyhounds were bred roughly 2,000 years ago. While their name suggests that they originated in Italy, historians’ evidence from 2,000 years ago shows that they may have developed in what is now Greece and Turkey. The Roman Empire had a strong influence in these areas at the time, suggesting that’s why they’re named Italian Greyhounds. 

Regardless of whether Italian Greyhounds were originally from Greece, Turkey, or Italy, they were still a majorly popular dog breed among noblewomen during the European middle ages. Their small stature (13 to 15 inches in height) made them the ideal lapdog for noble people. While they can make great laptops, these animals have plenty of stamina and can be energetic. 

Miniature versions of popular dog breeds became a sign of status during the Italian Renaissance. If someone owned a tiny dog breed, it was assumed they were wealthy and maybe even of the noble class. 

Nowadays, these loveable and playful dogs make beautiful additions to households. Iggys are fantastic with other dogs, affectionate, and usually good with young children. These are general characteristics of Italian Greyhounds. Keep in mind that you may end up with an Iggy that is wonderful with children but not so great with other dogs. Most of it is how you raise them and whether or how their life was before you bringing them into your home. 

Italian Greyhounds have a pretty long life span. When you take care of them and ensure they’re as healthy as possible, Iggys can live to be between 13 and 15 years old.

Italian Greyhounds are prone to some health issues such as dental problems and anxiety. Regular grooming and ensuring you have a great crate to keep your Iggy in when you’re gone can prevent dental problems and them harming your belongings or themselves while you’re away. 

What Causes Your Italian Greyhound to Shed?

Italian Greyhounds typically don’t shed very much. If you notice that your Iggy is shedding a little bit more than usual, there are many reasons why this could be. 

The first reason your Italian Greyhound may be shedding more than usual is that they’re allergic to something. Many dogs begin shedding more than usual when they’ve been exposed to an allergen. This could be something in their environment, such as the laundry detergent you use on your clothes, the grass, or other airborne allergens. Another possibility is that they’re allergic or have a sensitivity to something in their diet. 

Suppose your Italian Greyhound is allergic to something in their food. In that case, you’ll want to figure out what it is sooner so you can get their shedding under control. Finding the best food for your Italian Greyhound is going to help with unwanted excess shedding and make them much happier. The fastest but most expensive way to figure out if something is bothering your Iggy’s stomach is to take them to the vet for an allergy test. 

The veterinarian can perform an allergy test and tell you what ingredients are bothering your dog. From there, you can choose foods that don’t include any of those ingredients to see if their shedding improves. If you don’t want to take them to the vet, you can use the elimination diet. What you’ll do is start by feeding your Iggy basic ingredients such as white rice, plain chicken, things like that. Slowly you’ll add in other ingredients to see what’s improved or made their shedding worse. 

Grooming Your Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds are relatively low-maintenance. Since they hardly shed and their coat is very short, they don’t need regular brushing or bathing like other dog breeds. That being said, they still need to have their coat brushed sometimes and will need a bath to keep them clean and their fur and skin healthy. 

When it comes to brushing your Italian Greyhounds fur, you should only have to do this when you notice it starting to look a little dusty. Since their hair is so short, you shouldn’t have to worry about any tangles or mats forming. As far as bathing, you don’t want to bathe them too often because it can alter their natural oils and cause skin irritation. Italian Greyhounds love to roll around in the dirt and mud when outside, so if your Iggy loves this activity, you may have no choice but to give them a bath more often than other dog owners. When they roll around in the dirt, you’ll want to bathe them so the dirt doesn’t get trapped in their fur and cause irritation. Plus, who wants a filthy dog jumping on them or running around their home?

While all dog breeds need our help with caring for their teeth, Italian Greyhounds may need more care than the average dog. This dog breed is prone to having dental problems. This ranges from their teeth decaying to gum issues. The best way to help your Italian Greyhound with this is by brushing their teeth twice a week. 

Most dogs want nothing to do with us putting a toothbrush into their mouths, but if yours will let you, you should do this. If you get your Italian Greyhound as a puppy, getting them used to the feeling of teeth brushing while they’re young can make your life much easier as they age. Be sure that if your Italian Greyhound lets you brush their teeth, you’re using special dog toothpaste. You do not want to use the toothpaste that you would use for yourself on your furry friend. 

For those of you who adopted an Iggy and hate having their teeth brushed, purchasing dog treats that are designed to help clean your dog’s teeth is the next best thing. They may not be as beneficial as a traditional toothbrush, but this is much better than doing nothing. 

Another option for getting your Italian Greyhound’s teeth cleaned is to do it at the vet. Most if not all veterinary practices offer teeth cleaning for dogs. You’ll have to keep in mind if you choose to go this route because they have to put your dog under anesthesia more often than not. You won’t want to have them going under too often, so once or twice a year should be fine, but supplement with cleaning treats in between teeth cleaning visits. 

Another grooming task you’ll want to complete about once a week is checking your dog’s ears. You’ll want to check that they’re not overly red because that could be a sign of irritation or infection. Cleaning their ears is pretty easy. All you’ll need is a cotton ball or two and some dog ear cleaner. You’ll dampen the cotton ball and then wipe their ears. You don’t want to stick the cotton ball into the ear canal; that can cause issues. Just wipe the moistened cotton ball on the outer areas of the ear. Don’t forget to praise them with their favorite treat afterward! 

Conclusion

Italian Greyhounds are a hypoallergenic dog breed that hardly sheds in comparison to other breeds. These friendly and active dogs are the perfect addition to a household for someone concerned about their furry friend shedding too much. 

As you get ready to welcome an Iggy into your life, you won’t need to worry about excess shedding unless they have a food allergy and need minimal brushing. Knowing more about Italian Greyhounds can make you feel more prepared to open your home to your new furry friend. In addition to knowing about the shedding and grooming habits of your Iggy, make sure you get them the best collar and harness for them so not only do they look stylish on their walks, they’re safe and secure.