An Ig is not for everyone! I normally spend a lot of time trying to talk people out of this breed. Unless you and your family are truly dedicated and willing to change your life schedules around this little dog, the chances are very slim that an Ig will work in your home. First, no matter what an Ig has learned in one home, it will be instantly forgotten the moment they enter a new one. So tasks that were once routing, need to be positively re-trained in their new home. I tell people who take one of our dogs home that they will have to dedicate two months to re-training and establishing a relationship with their new Ig. In the first two weeks, you should spend 100% of your time with your Ig. This will allow your dog to learn the routine of your home and allows you to learn your dog's language.

You will undoubtedly find breeders or those selling Ig puppies who discount or disagree with the following truths about this breed. However, as the large numbers of Igs that enter rescue each year will support, and as a person who lives with her Igs will atest, they are indeed TRUE!

Once I placed a very beautiful Ig girl with a nice couple. Although I told them over and over about the negatives of this breed they admitted later that they really weren't prepared for their Iggy reality. This breed is not easy!!!!! You and your family should go into this breed with your eyes wide open!


1. THIS BREED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO POTTY TRAIN in the traditional sense. Igs refuse to be uncomfortable and should not be expected to hold it more than three to four hours at a time during the day. Many people elect to paper train or litterbox train Igs. Nevertheless, your Ig WILL occasionally have accidents in your home!

2. ARE YOU READY FOR A TODDLER? Igs are very much like toddler children for their entire lives. So ask yourself, "Am I ready to commit my life to a toddler for 15 or so years?" They are very demanding of your time and attention. Whatever you enjoy, your Ig will be right there trying to re-direct your attention to them. Igs are constantly pushing their independence envelope. Igs LOVE to ignore their mamas. Like toddlers, Igs like to do WHAT they like to do and WHEN they like to do it. And that's it! Again, you will have potty training issues with your Ig for their entire lives! 

3. IGS HAVE NO DESIRE TO PLEASE YOU! Igs feel that humans were put on the earth to cater to their needs. This breed is NOT obedient!!!!! If you want to teach an Ig something, it must only be done in the most positive of manners. Always set your Ig up for success. Positive, positive, positive! You can never ever spank or use negative stimulus with an Ig. You'll end up with a terrified dog who won't come out from under the couch. 

4. WHAT'S YOURS IS THEIRS AND WHAT THEIRS IS THEIRS! If you don't like dogs on your furniture (including your dining room table), playing with items that are not dog toys, this is not a breed that will work for you. Igs like to follow their humans around and are incredibly nosy about any and all of your activities. If you sit on the couch, they will insist on sitting right beside you, probably draped over your lap. They also enjoy laying draped around the nape of your neck. They love to curl up in a cozy blanket. If you put a blanket over you, your Ig will demand that you let them under the covers so they can be draped across your lap. Ready for bed, well Igs love to sleep with their humans and yes, under the covers!

5. CHILDREN ARE NOT A GREAT MIX WITH THIS BREED. If you have an infant or small child you might think twice about the Italian Greyhound. Small children MUST be constantly supervised with this breed. From personal experience with 3 year old child v. Italian Greyhound I can attest that accidents can happen. Additionally, Igs don't have patience for children and WILL treat the child as a (doggie) equal. They will use their language in the form of a growl or snap to keep the child in line. Additionally, a child crawling around or playing on the floor combined with the occasional Ig potty accident may be enough to cause you to reconsider this breed.


6. THESE DOGS ARE SIGHTHOUNDS. They hunt by sight which means when something scoots along the ground (including blowing leaves), Igs go into hunting mode. Unfortunately hunting mode means that they switch 100% of their focus to the hunt. While in this mode they will NOT listen to you. They will not know you exist. AND since they are incredibly fast, can be gone in a split second. This means, that you will not be able to have your dog off leash, EVER! Many Igs are lost or hit by cars while in their hunting mode. It is a very, very common story in this breed! 

7. THIS BREED IS NOT LOW MAINTENANCE! Every dog breed is an EQUAL amount of work! It's just a different type of work for each of the breeds. While you many have to spend time brushing a hairy dog, you will have to spend equal amounts of time with your Ig on: Potty Training, Exercise, Attention, WEEKLY Teeth Brushing, WEEKLY Nail Trimming, Attention, Potty Training, Attention, Potty Training , Attention, Potty Training (And yes, I meant to mention attention and potty training over and over!!!!!)

After reading this page, you may be asking yourself, why in the world would anyone have one of these dogs. Well, the answer is simple, Igs are the most beautiful, affectionate, sensitive, intuitive, free thinking, sweet, most loving breed of dog on this planet. Every day is a new day with your Ig. When you are truly an Ig person, you are one for life. I will never be without one!!!!