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Well folks as it is 2009 time to update this guide again and boy how things have changed
* A Guide to buying a Puppy *
Buying any puppy is a minefield. Buying an Italian Greyhound puppy is not at all difficult any more as there are plenty of Iggie puppies available all over the country. In 2004 I wrote that unlike some other breeds, Italian Greyhounds have so far been spared exploitation by puppy farmers (breeders of large quantities of puppies of many different breeds) due to the fact that they are a comparatively rare breed with fortunately little commercial value and that still holds true. What has changed is that there is an even larger number of 'back yard breeders' churning out puppies with little or no regard as to the health or the future welfare of these delightful little dogs. Sadly it is still others including rescue organisations, that are left to pick up the pieces not the breeders themselves.
Before buying an Italian Greyhound take care to find out if this is the breed for you. The only way you will do that is to do research via books and websites, visit breeders and / or shows where Italians are exhibited and by speaking to as many owners as possible.
Where can I go to find out about Italian Greyhounds?
There are many dog-related web sites and quite a number related to the Italian Greyhound. The majority are based in the United States but are still worth a visit just to get a general idea about the breed. There are also a number of good books on the breed available through bookshops and web-sites like Amazon.
However if you fancy having an Italian but have never met one then there are options available to you to get up close and personal with the breed such as Discover Dogs. This is held twice a year. In March it is held at the Crufts Dog Show at the NEC Birmingham and in November at Olympia in London . Each breed has its own stand. The stand is manned by people who already own and are passionate about Italian Greyhounds. They will be able to give you information about the breed as well as giving you an opportunity of seeing these delightful little dogs in the flesh. Discover Dogs is meant to be informative and breeders are encouraged not to use these occasions as a method to sell their own puppies.
If you cannot get to Discover Dogs do try the Kennel Club web-site where you can find out if there are any Championship dog shows being held near to you and on which days Toy dogs are being judged.
Where can I buy a Puppy from?
Hopefully you will be able to find a reputable breeder to sell you a healthy puppy that is reasonably priced. There are more puppies than ever available the majority being advertised on specialist puppy sales internet sites and some along side second hand furniture. That for me is what has changed most in the past 5 years. Reputable breeders have no need to advertise.
Iggies are only rarely advertised in the dog papers or magazines. The Kennel Club has a sales register but this does not mean that the breeder is an anyway endorsed or recommended by them.
General Dog sites sometimes advertise breeders so it will be a case of contacting them to find out whether they have a puppy that may be available. Sometimes a breeder will be running on several pups with a view to keeping one to show so would be prepared to let a puppy go in a few months time once they have made their choice.
Why is it so hard to find a Puppy to buy ?
Most breeders will only breed when they wish to keep a puppy for themselves. Generally Italian Greyhounds never used to have big litters, three probably being about the average, more recently however the size of litters has increased which is surprising considering the small gene pool being used by some breeders. They are gaining in popularity and many owners, once they have had one tend to stay with the breed. Demand used to exceed supply but that is not the case anymore as rescue will be able to testify. People are now able to buy on a whim. Potential owners that are prepared to wait some time for an Italian greyhound do genuinely want this breed and will give them the home they deserve.
How much should I pay? ( Remember this was written in 2004!!!!)
Paying a high price for a puppy does not guarantee that you will be buying a healthy, well reared baby. The average price in 2009 is now around £800 for a dog and £900 for a bitch but some potential owners have recently been quoted prices considerably higher reaching a peak of over £2000 in 2008.
Obviously rearing puppies properly is time consuming and requires hard work. It is however very pleasurable and puppies are time wasting in the nicest possible way. It is only right that puppies should not appear to be given away however no caring breeder is rearing puppies for the purpose of making high profit so beware of over inflated prices!
Should I have a dog or a bitch?
By tradition many people will automatically assume that a bitch is more suitable than a dog. IG dogs are very loving and as long as they are house trained correctly, are generally clean. However like many small and toy breeds, Italian Greyhounds can mark their territory, bitches as well as dogs but this is not the same as not being house trained. Castrating a male will reduce this potential as will only keeping a single dog or dogs of the same sex. Castration can incline a dog to weight gain and a life or perpetual dieting so the pros and cons must be carefully considered and discussed with the breeder and your vet. The same remarks also apply to spaying a bitch.
Bitches will sometimes come with endorsements put there by the breeder on the Kennel Club registration papers that will prohibit you from breeding. This is sensible. It is very tempting to want to breed puppies of your own but most breeders are experienced on the genetic pitfalls of the breed and would not consider selling breeding stock to inexperienced owners.
While most only want a pet and have no intentions of breeding some of us do fall in love with this breed and with help and advice do start showing and breeding after some years getting to know about the breed.
Beware getting in to the realms of accepting a bitch puppy on breeding terms.
Is there any health issues I should know about?
Yes! All breeds, Italian Greyhounds included do have hereditary problems however Italian Greyhounds are on the whole, one of the healthiest and tough little breeds belying their rather delicate looking appearance. However there is epilepsy, colitis and in some lines a higher risk of leg breaks. Auto Immune, Luxating patella and Liver shunt have also recently been reported.
The Italian Greyhound Club of America's website does have some excellent information on possible health problems which is collated by Teri Dickinson DVM. You can do no better than to look on there to find out about health issues.
What questions should I ask the Breeder?
Don't be afraid to ask if there are any health issues that you should know about. Can you see the Mother with the pups? Will you have to sign a contract?
Be honest about why you want the puppy. If you want to show an Italian please do make this clear to the breeder. It has to be said that it is impossible to say whether or not a puppy will be show quality at 10 weeks of age. Many faults can and do appear as the pup begins to mature and also permanent dentition is not in place until the dog is 6-7 months old.
An experienced breeder can make an educated guess as to the possible potential of the puppy but many would prefer to sell to a permanent home not to one where it is dependant on whether the puppy is show quality or not.
What would happen if your circumstances change and you can no longer keep the puppy? Is the breeder willing to have the dog back or agree to help you find another suitable home?
Under no circumstances should you buy a puppy without seeing it first nor should you ever be asked to pay a deposit. A breeder requesting a deposit smacks of someone more interested in the money than the home that is being offered. A deposit also puts pressure on you to have the puppy when you should be given time after seeing it to consider whether an IG is really for you.
Never buy a puppy under 8 weeks of age and preferably not until they are at least 10 weeks old. Do not be forced into accepting a puppy earlier than you would like just to fit in with the Breeder.
Neither should you be forced into collecting it from a public area away from the breeders' home so that you do not get a chance to see the breeder's premises for yourself.
Visiting a Breeder
You should always visit the litter at the breeders' premises at least once before you take the puppy home. Look at the conditions under which the dogs are kept.
1. Is the breeder happy with their dogs having the freedom to run?
2. Are there older dogs being kept in cages and not being allowed out to greet you?
3. Have the puppies been socialised? Do they run to you happily or scream at the sight of you.
4 Have they been weaned from the Mother and are now happily eating on their own?
5. Are the puppies clean, bright eyed and well rounded not pot bellied (a sign of worms)
6. Has the breeder been informative and offered written instructions and back up about caring for your potential new baby?
Any negative answers to these questions should cause concern.
Be prepared to answer a lot of questions about yourself and your circumstances, be wary of breeders who don't ask you lots of information about yourself and only want to tell you the price of their puppies and when the next litter is due!
Contracts
Many breeders ask buyers to sign a contract. This should only be concerned with the future welfare of the puppy e.g. asking that the puppy be returned or a new home found with the breeder's approval should for any reason the new owner be unable to keep it
Are Italian Greyhounds anything like Whippets? No not really apart from a similarity of look, Italians tend to be more active, more agile and more inventive! They are a big dog in a little package. They are extremely intelligent, have a great sense of humour and are inclined to be sensitive. They can be quite demanding of your time and will let you know if you have ignored them for too long. I work from home and get quite absorbed working on the computer and quite often find an Italian or two standing in the middle of my keyboard when I have been working longer than they want me to.
Do they get on with other dogs and cats?
Introduced early enough as puppies there should be no problems. They do seem to find a Cat to be an endless source of entertainment whether the cat wants to entertain them or not!
Larger dogs are merely there to be substitute pillows. My Lurcher is an indestructible squeaky toy according to my Italians.
Are they good with Children?
Most Italians like children but as with every dog the question should be asked 'do the children know how to behave around dogs?' I have homed a few Italians now with families who have children and I know other careful breeders who have done the same. The Italians quickly become a very much-loved part of the family (they also seem to know who it is out of a partnership that has to be won over and swear undying love to them!)
Some breeders will not let Italians go to homes where there are children no matter how well behaved they are. There is no good reason for this.
Do they need much exercise?
Italians love to run and run. A caged Italian is an unhappy Italian. They love to explore and will chase a rabbit every bit as keenly as a hound breed. In fact as they are indeed a little sighthound (despite being classed as a toy breed in the UK and the USA ) this is not surprising. In Europe and the USA they are both lure coursed and raced.
Will I have to keep them caged all the time?
As young puppies they need to have a place where they can sleep and feel safe. Ideally rather than a cage a large Vari Kennel (A type of kennel used by airlines) is ideal. Italians can be confined for short periods and having an area of a room that can be closed off safely is better than a small cage. If you do use a cage then ensure that it is large enough for the dog to be able to stand up and move around freely and also have access to water.
Is there anything else special I need to buy for my new Puppy
Italians need to have a wide collar like a greyhound or a whippet when going for walks. It is the kindest type of collar there is for their long slender necks and stops them from choking so much if they inclined to pull. Many Italian owners also use a harness in preference to a collar.
A coat is a must for an Italian Greyhound and there are many types from fleeces to waterproofs.
Italians love to be covered over when they sleep so owners tend to have special beds made which the dogs can tunnel down into.
Should I get the Puppy insured?
Yes, absolutely and without delay.
I hope this has given you food for thought. Please do not buy puppies from unsuitable breeders because you feel sorry for the puppies. This will simply encourage them to breed another litter. If they find it difficult to sell their puppies then they are less likely to do so again.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>* Good Luck! *</span>
© Jan Doherty (2009)
* A Guide to buying a Puppy *
Buying any puppy is a minefield. Buying an Italian Greyhound puppy is not at all difficult any more as there are plenty of Iggie puppies available all over the country. In 2004 I wrote that unlike some other breeds, Italian Greyhounds have so far been spared exploitation by puppy farmers (breeders of large quantities of puppies of many different breeds) due to the fact that they are a comparatively rare breed with fortunately little commercial value and that still holds true. What has changed is that there is an even larger number of 'back yard breeders' churning out puppies with little or no regard as to the health or the future welfare of these delightful little dogs. Sadly it is still others including rescue organisations, that are left to pick up the pieces not the breeders themselves.
Before buying an Italian Greyhound take care to find out if this is the breed for you. The only way you will do that is to do research via books and websites, visit breeders and / or shows where Italians are exhibited and by speaking to as many owners as possible.
Where can I go to find out about Italian Greyhounds?
There are many dog-related web sites and quite a number related to the Italian Greyhound. The majority are based in the United States but are still worth a visit just to get a general idea about the breed. There are also a number of good books on the breed available through bookshops and web-sites like Amazon.
However if you fancy having an Italian but have never met one then there are options available to you to get up close and personal with the breed such as Discover Dogs. This is held twice a year. In March it is held at the Crufts Dog Show at the NEC Birmingham and in November at Olympia in London . Each breed has its own stand. The stand is manned by people who already own and are passionate about Italian Greyhounds. They will be able to give you information about the breed as well as giving you an opportunity of seeing these delightful little dogs in the flesh. Discover Dogs is meant to be informative and breeders are encouraged not to use these occasions as a method to sell their own puppies.
If you cannot get to Discover Dogs do try the Kennel Club web-site where you can find out if there are any Championship dog shows being held near to you and on which days Toy dogs are being judged.
Where can I buy a Puppy from?
Hopefully you will be able to find a reputable breeder to sell you a healthy puppy that is reasonably priced. There are more puppies than ever available the majority being advertised on specialist puppy sales internet sites and some along side second hand furniture. That for me is what has changed most in the past 5 years. Reputable breeders have no need to advertise.
Iggies are only rarely advertised in the dog papers or magazines. The Kennel Club has a sales register but this does not mean that the breeder is an anyway endorsed or recommended by them.
General Dog sites sometimes advertise breeders so it will be a case of contacting them to find out whether they have a puppy that may be available. Sometimes a breeder will be running on several pups with a view to keeping one to show so would be prepared to let a puppy go in a few months time once they have made their choice.
Why is it so hard to find a Puppy to buy ?
Most breeders will only breed when they wish to keep a puppy for themselves. Generally Italian Greyhounds never used to have big litters, three probably being about the average, more recently however the size of litters has increased which is surprising considering the small gene pool being used by some breeders. They are gaining in popularity and many owners, once they have had one tend to stay with the breed. Demand used to exceed supply but that is not the case anymore as rescue will be able to testify. People are now able to buy on a whim. Potential owners that are prepared to wait some time for an Italian greyhound do genuinely want this breed and will give them the home they deserve.
How much should I pay? ( Remember this was written in 2004!!!!)
Paying a high price for a puppy does not guarantee that you will be buying a healthy, well reared baby. The average price in 2009 is now around £800 for a dog and £900 for a bitch but some potential owners have recently been quoted prices considerably higher reaching a peak of over £2000 in 2008.
Obviously rearing puppies properly is time consuming and requires hard work. It is however very pleasurable and puppies are time wasting in the nicest possible way. It is only right that puppies should not appear to be given away however no caring breeder is rearing puppies for the purpose of making high profit so beware of over inflated prices!
Should I have a dog or a bitch?
By tradition many people will automatically assume that a bitch is more suitable than a dog. IG dogs are very loving and as long as they are house trained correctly, are generally clean. However like many small and toy breeds, Italian Greyhounds can mark their territory, bitches as well as dogs but this is not the same as not being house trained. Castrating a male will reduce this potential as will only keeping a single dog or dogs of the same sex. Castration can incline a dog to weight gain and a life or perpetual dieting so the pros and cons must be carefully considered and discussed with the breeder and your vet. The same remarks also apply to spaying a bitch.
Bitches will sometimes come with endorsements put there by the breeder on the Kennel Club registration papers that will prohibit you from breeding. This is sensible. It is very tempting to want to breed puppies of your own but most breeders are experienced on the genetic pitfalls of the breed and would not consider selling breeding stock to inexperienced owners.
While most only want a pet and have no intentions of breeding some of us do fall in love with this breed and with help and advice do start showing and breeding after some years getting to know about the breed.
Beware getting in to the realms of accepting a bitch puppy on breeding terms.
Is there any health issues I should know about?
Yes! All breeds, Italian Greyhounds included do have hereditary problems however Italian Greyhounds are on the whole, one of the healthiest and tough little breeds belying their rather delicate looking appearance. However there is epilepsy, colitis and in some lines a higher risk of leg breaks. Auto Immune, Luxating patella and Liver shunt have also recently been reported.
The Italian Greyhound Club of America's website does have some excellent information on possible health problems which is collated by Teri Dickinson DVM. You can do no better than to look on there to find out about health issues.
What questions should I ask the Breeder?
Don't be afraid to ask if there are any health issues that you should know about. Can you see the Mother with the pups? Will you have to sign a contract?
Be honest about why you want the puppy. If you want to show an Italian please do make this clear to the breeder. It has to be said that it is impossible to say whether or not a puppy will be show quality at 10 weeks of age. Many faults can and do appear as the pup begins to mature and also permanent dentition is not in place until the dog is 6-7 months old.
An experienced breeder can make an educated guess as to the possible potential of the puppy but many would prefer to sell to a permanent home not to one where it is dependant on whether the puppy is show quality or not.
What would happen if your circumstances change and you can no longer keep the puppy? Is the breeder willing to have the dog back or agree to help you find another suitable home?
Under no circumstances should you buy a puppy without seeing it first nor should you ever be asked to pay a deposit. A breeder requesting a deposit smacks of someone more interested in the money than the home that is being offered. A deposit also puts pressure on you to have the puppy when you should be given time after seeing it to consider whether an IG is really for you.
Never buy a puppy under 8 weeks of age and preferably not until they are at least 10 weeks old. Do not be forced into accepting a puppy earlier than you would like just to fit in with the Breeder.
Neither should you be forced into collecting it from a public area away from the breeders' home so that you do not get a chance to see the breeder's premises for yourself.
Visiting a Breeder
You should always visit the litter at the breeders' premises at least once before you take the puppy home. Look at the conditions under which the dogs are kept.
1. Is the breeder happy with their dogs having the freedom to run?
2. Are there older dogs being kept in cages and not being allowed out to greet you?
3. Have the puppies been socialised? Do they run to you happily or scream at the sight of you.
4 Have they been weaned from the Mother and are now happily eating on their own?
5. Are the puppies clean, bright eyed and well rounded not pot bellied (a sign of worms)
6. Has the breeder been informative and offered written instructions and back up about caring for your potential new baby?
Any negative answers to these questions should cause concern.
Be prepared to answer a lot of questions about yourself and your circumstances, be wary of breeders who don't ask you lots of information about yourself and only want to tell you the price of their puppies and when the next litter is due!
Contracts
Many breeders ask buyers to sign a contract. This should only be concerned with the future welfare of the puppy e.g. asking that the puppy be returned or a new home found with the breeder's approval should for any reason the new owner be unable to keep it
Are Italian Greyhounds anything like Whippets? No not really apart from a similarity of look, Italians tend to be more active, more agile and more inventive! They are a big dog in a little package. They are extremely intelligent, have a great sense of humour and are inclined to be sensitive. They can be quite demanding of your time and will let you know if you have ignored them for too long. I work from home and get quite absorbed working on the computer and quite often find an Italian or two standing in the middle of my keyboard when I have been working longer than they want me to.
Do they get on with other dogs and cats?
Introduced early enough as puppies there should be no problems. They do seem to find a Cat to be an endless source of entertainment whether the cat wants to entertain them or not!
Larger dogs are merely there to be substitute pillows. My Lurcher is an indestructible squeaky toy according to my Italians.
Are they good with Children?
Most Italians like children but as with every dog the question should be asked 'do the children know how to behave around dogs?' I have homed a few Italians now with families who have children and I know other careful breeders who have done the same. The Italians quickly become a very much-loved part of the family (they also seem to know who it is out of a partnership that has to be won over and swear undying love to them!)
Some breeders will not let Italians go to homes where there are children no matter how well behaved they are. There is no good reason for this.
Do they need much exercise?
Italians love to run and run. A caged Italian is an unhappy Italian. They love to explore and will chase a rabbit every bit as keenly as a hound breed. In fact as they are indeed a little sighthound (despite being classed as a toy breed in the UK and the USA ) this is not surprising. In Europe and the USA they are both lure coursed and raced.
Will I have to keep them caged all the time?
As young puppies they need to have a place where they can sleep and feel safe. Ideally rather than a cage a large Vari Kennel (A type of kennel used by airlines) is ideal. Italians can be confined for short periods and having an area of a room that can be closed off safely is better than a small cage. If you do use a cage then ensure that it is large enough for the dog to be able to stand up and move around freely and also have access to water.
Is there anything else special I need to buy for my new Puppy
Italians need to have a wide collar like a greyhound or a whippet when going for walks. It is the kindest type of collar there is for their long slender necks and stops them from choking so much if they inclined to pull. Many Italian owners also use a harness in preference to a collar.
A coat is a must for an Italian Greyhound and there are many types from fleeces to waterproofs.
Italians love to be covered over when they sleep so owners tend to have special beds made which the dogs can tunnel down into.
Should I get the Puppy insured?
Yes, absolutely and without delay.
I hope this has given you food for thought. Please do not buy puppies from unsuitable breeders because you feel sorry for the puppies. This will simply encourage them to breed another litter. If they find it difficult to sell their puppies then they are less likely to do so again.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>* Good Luck! *</span>
© Jan Doherty (2009)
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