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Breed Standard - American Version
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of the
Italian Greyhound
Approved December 14, 1976



  • Description:

    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.

    Forelegs:

    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.

    Action:

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

    Size:

    Height at withers, ideally 13 inches to 15 inches.

    DISQUALIFICATIONS:

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


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