Italian Greyhound

General Appearance

The Italian Greyhound is very similar to the Greyhound, but much smaller and more slender in all proportions and of ideal elegance and grace

Head

Narrow and long, tapering to nose, with a slight suggestion of stop. Skull - Rather long, almost flat. Muzzle - Long and fine. Nose - Dark. It may be black or brown or in keeping with the color of the dog. A light or partly pigmented nose is a fault. Teeth - Scissors bite. A badly undershot or overshot mouth is a fault. Eyes - Dark, bright, intelligent, medium in size. Very light eyes are a fault. Ears - Small, fine in texture; thrown back and folded except when alerted, then carried folded at right angles to the head. Erect or button ears severely penalized.

Neck

Long, slender and gracefully arched.

Body

Of medium length, short coupled; high at withers, back curved and drooping at hindquarters, the highest point of curve at start of loin, creating a definite tuck-up at flanks. Shoulders - Long and sloping. Chest - Deep and narrow

Forequarters

Long, straight, set well under shoulder; strong pasterns, fine bone.

Hindquarters

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

Feet

Harefoot with well-arched toes. Removal of dewclaws optional.

Tail

Slender and tapering to a curved end, long enough to reach the hock; set low, carried low. Ring tail a serious fault, gay tail a fault

Coat

Skin fine and supple, hair short, glossy like satin and soft to the touch.

Color

Any color and markings are acceptable except that a dog with brindle markings and a dog with the tan markings normally found on black-and-tan dogs of other breeds must be disqualified.

Size

Height at withers, ideally 13 to 15 inches.

Gait

High stepping and free, front and hind legs to move forward in a straight line.

Disqualifications

A dog with brindle markings. A dog with the tan markings normally found on black-and-tan dogs of other breeds.