Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Italian Greyhound, also known as the Levrette, is one of the most ancient decorative and hunting breeds, known since the times of Ancient Egypt and Rome. As a miniature version of the greyhound, it accompanied nobility as a symbol of refinement and status. During the Renaissance, the Levrette became a favorite of European monarchs and aristocracy, adorning royal palaces and portraits. Despite its delicate appearance, the breed has retained its hunting instincts, speed, and endurance. Today, the Italian Greyhound is valued for its grace, loyalty, and harmonious combination of beauty and intelligence.
General Appearance
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature, slender, and graceful dog with refined lines and a harmonious build. Its appearance combines the lightness and nobility of the greyhound with the compactness and grace of a small breed. The body is slightly elongated, thin but muscular. The head is narrow and wedge-shaped, with a long neck smoothly blending into the withers. Limbs are long, straight, and fine, ensuring swift and elegant movement. The tail is thin, sabre-shaped, and gracefully curved. The coat is short, smooth, and glossy. The overall appearance of the Italian Greyhound embodies elegance, speed, and harmony, without signs of coarseness or weakness.
Important Proportions
The Italian Greyhound possesses ideal proportions emphasizing elegance and refinement. The height at the withers is nearly equal to the length of the body, creating a compact yet airy impression. The depth of chest is about half the dog’s height; the abdomen is well tucked up, and the body lines are smooth and curved. The head is long and narrow, its length approximately 40% of the dog’s height, with the muzzle equal in length to the skull. The neck is slender and proportionate, flowing smoothly into oblique shoulders. The limbs are long, straight, and dry, harmoniously balanced with the body. Every proportion expresses balance, lightness, and the noble aristocracy of the sighthound.
Behavior and Temperament
The Italian Greyhound is a gentle, refined, and devoted dog with a soft and balanced temperament. Highly sensitive, it responds subtly to human emotions, craves close contact with its owner, and dislikes loneliness. It is active, curious, and playful, yet delicate and obedient. The breed is naturally intelligent and clean. Calm and affectionate at home, lively and swift outdoors, it maintains grace and poise in all situations. The Italian Greyhound combines aristocratic refinement with the liveliness of a true sighthound.
Head
The head is long, narrow, and proportionate to the body, with smooth lines and a noble expression. The skull is flat and elongated, with a slightly rounded occiput. The stop is smooth yet distinct. The muzzle is wedge-shaped, tapering toward the nose but not pointed; the bridge of the nose is straight. The nose is always black, with wide nostrils. Lips are thin, dry, and tight. Jaws are strong with a correct scissor bite. Cheeks are flat and not prominent. The head should convey lightness, refinement, and aristocratic nobility.
Facial Region
The facial part is fine, dry, and harmonious, emphasizing the breed’s elegance. The muzzle is long and wedge-shaped, tapering toward a small, always black nose with open nostrils. Lips are tight and fine, underlining the purity of the lines. Jaws are strong, teeth white and even, with a scissor bite. Cheeks are smooth, and the transition from forehead to muzzle is gradual but visible. The facial expression should remain intelligent, gentle, and refined, characteristic of the Italian Greyhound.
Eyes
Eyes are large, expressive, and slightly almond-shaped, set wide apart and somewhat obliquely, giving the gaze softness and depth. The iris is dark brown or nearly black, always harmonizing with the coat color. Eyelids are thin, tight, and fully pigmented, enhancing the delicacy of expression. The gaze is attentive, intelligent, and gentle, reflecting the breed’s sensitivity and calm nobility. Light, round, or bulging eyes are faults, as they disturb the soft, thoughtful expression typical of the breed.
Ears
Ears are small, thin, and rose-shaped, set high and folded back, lying softly against the neck. At rest, they are neatly folded, emphasizing the head’s elegance; when alert, they lift slightly at the base, giving a lively and attentive expression. The ear skin is fine, smooth, and covered with short, velvety hair. Erect, large, or low-set ears are undesirable as they break the harmony of the outline. Correctly shaped ears complete the refined appearance of the Italian Greyhound, highlighting its aristocratic origin and gentle nature.
Neck
The neck is long, graceful, and elegantly arched, smoothly blending into the withers and shoulders. It is slender but muscular, providing flexibility and ease of movement. The high carriage of the neck emphasizes the breed’s proud posture and aristocratic bearing. The skin is tight and smooth, without folds or dewlap. The correct neck form enhances the impression of harmony and grace, giving the Italian Greyhound an air of lightness, confidence, and natural refinement.
Body
The body is elegant, slim, and harmonious, with smooth, well-defined lines. The back is short and straight; the loin slightly arched, giving the typical sighthound elasticity. The chest is deep and narrow, reaching nearly to the elbows; ribs are well sprung but not barrel-shaped. The croup is long, slightly sloping, and merges smoothly into the tail. The abdomen is strongly tucked up, accentuating the breed’s aerodynamic outline. Shoulders are long and sloping, allowing freedom and fluidity of movement. The overall body expresses harmony, speed, and refined strength while maintaining delicacy.
Tail
The tail is long, thin, and flexible, set low and continuing the line of the croup. Thicker at the base, it tapers gradually to the end. At rest, it hangs down with a gentle curve; in motion, it forms an arc without rising above the back. The skin is smooth, covered with short, fine hair. The tail should be elegant and supple, complementing the breed’s graceful silhouette. Too short, ring-shaped, or high-set tails are faults disrupting the harmony of the outline.
Forequarters
The forelegs are long, fine, and straight, with well-developed dry muscles and strong yet delicate bones. Shoulders are long and oblique, fitting closely to the body and forming a correct angle with the upper arms, ensuring free, easy movement. Elbows point strictly backward, neither turned in nor out. Forearms are straight and thin, with visible tendons. Pasterns are short, resilient, and slightly sloping. Feet are oval, compact, with long, fine toes and firm pads. Correct construction ensures grace, speed, and stability in motion.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are long, slender, and muscular, with well-defined joints and smooth lines. Thighs are long and lean, providing a strong yet light thrust. Stifles are moderately bent; lower legs long and straight; hocks low, firm, and elastic. Metatarsi are short and vertical. Feet are oval, compact, with fine but strong toes and solid pads. Proper angulation and structure ensure balance, speed, and the breed’s characteristic fluid, elegant gait.
Gait and Movement
The movement is light, smooth, and elegant, with the springy elasticity typical of sighthounds. The Italian Greyhound moves freely and effortlessly, maintaining perfect balance between speed and grace. The forelegs extend evenly forward, the hindquarters provide a powerful yet elastic push, and the topline remains steady. At a trot, the motion is even and harmonious; at a gallop, swift and soft. The gait should convey lightness, precision, and noble harmony.
Coat
The coat is short, fine, smooth, and close-fitting, accentuating the body’s graceful outline. It is silky to the touch, even in length, without undercoat or longer patches. The skin is thin, elastic, and tight, emphasizing dryness and muscle definition. The Italian Greyhound has minimal shedding; the coat is easy to maintain and always glossy. Sparse, coarse, wavy, or dull coats are undesirable. The correct coat type enhances the breed’s refined and aristocratic appearance.
Allowed Colors
Allowed colors include all solid shades — black, blue, isabella (cream-sand), fawn, and steel-gray. Variations of these tones are accepted, but markings, brindling, or spots are undesirable. Small white patches on the chest or toes are tolerated but not preferred. The color should be uniform, rich, and shiny, highlighting the smoothness of the coat. Brindle, marble, piebald, or multicolor coats are disqualifying. A clear, solid color accentuates the breed’s refined beauty.
Size
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature sighthound of graceful proportions and light, dry build. Height at the withers for both males and females ranges from 32 to 38 cm. Weight varies between 3.5 and 5 kg, proportionate to size. The dog should appear slender but not fragile: lightness combined with strength and flexibility. The format is slightly elongated, with smooth, balanced body lines. Regardless of size, the breed must retain its typical type — elegance, poise, and balance without signs of heaviness or excessive delicacy.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from the standard that compromise elegance, proportion, or breed type. A head that is too short, coarse, or wide; an overly pronounced stop; a light or unpigmented nose; or incomplete pigmentation are faults. Light, round, or protruding eyes, large or low-set ears, a short neck, narrow chest, flat ribs, straight back, or high-set tail are undesirable. Faulty movement, stiffness, heaviness, or excessive fragility are also penalized. Dull coat color, spots, shyness, or aggression are serious faults.
Disqualifications
Serious deviations from the standard affecting health, structure, or behavior are disqualifying. Overshot or undershot bites, crossed jaws, or missing teeth; depigmentation of the nose, lips, or eyelids; blue or mismatched eyes; visible deformities of the spine, tail, or limbs disqualify the dog. Piebald, brindle, marble, or spotted coloration, or the presence of long, wavy, or dense hair are disqualifying faults. Dogs showing fearfulness, aggression, nervousness, congenital defects, or traces of surgery altering natural appearance are not permitted in shows or breeding.
Important Notes
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature sighthound combining natural elegance, intelligence, and innate dignity. In the ICCF system, special attention is given to maintaining the authentic breed type: lightness, proportion, and refinement without excess delicacy or fragility. Breeding is permitted only among dogs with ICCF documentation confirming pedigree and conformity to the standard. Dogs with mental or physical defects or pigmentation disorders are excluded. The breed must demonstrate grace, balance, and vitality typical of a true sighthound. The breeding goal is to preserve the natural harmony, health, and noble character of the Italian Greyhound.
Conclusion
The Italian Greyhound is a refined, graceful, and inherently aristocratic breed — a miniature version of the Greyhound that embodies both energy and elegance. Deeply devoted to its owner, it is sensitive to human emotions and values attention. The Italian Greyhound is the perfect companion for those seeking an affectionate, graceful, and active friend — a true symbol of refinement and harmony within the home.
