PetCare: Planning to Buy an Italian Greyhound Puppy? Here’s the Honest Stuff Breeders Rarely Mention

You saw the photos.

The tiny snout, the Bambi eyes, those matchstick legs and that sassy little hop across someone’s Pinterest-worthy couch.

The Italian Greyhound puppy is Instagram’s answer to perfection.
And now you’re deep in the research spiral—Googling breeders, checking price ranges, maybe even filling out “puppy interest forms” that feel more intense than college applications.

But here’s what no breeder brochure, TikTok account, or glossy “About Us” page will quite tell you:
This dog is adorable, yes—but they are not for everyone.

This isn’t about scaring you off.
It’s about prepping you for the parts of IG puppy parenthood that don’t make it into the filtered highlight reels.

👶 1. “They’re Like Babies for a Long, Long Time”

Italian Greyhound puppies stay emotionally fragile and physically delicate way longer than you expect.

Potty training? Can take months. Some still use indoor pads at age 3.
They startle easily and hate change—moving furniture can freak them out.
Their bones? Like glass noodles. One jump from the couch can end in a vet visit.

👉 Breeder Truth You Won’t Hear:
“Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it!” = technically true. But that “out of it” stage is more like age 3–4, not 8 months.

🛏️ 2. “You Will Redesign Your Entire Living Space Around Them”

The Italian Greyhound is not just an aesthetic dog—they demand an aesthetic that includes:

Rugs over hardwood (for traction)
Steps to every surface (bed, couch, car)
Soft, raised beds (they like height and warmth)
Heated blankets. In summer.

👉 Breeder Truth You Won’t Hear:
“Just keep them safe!”
What they mean is: pad your entire house like a crash-test nursery for a royal baby.

🧬 3. “Health Issues Are a Hidden Part of the Price Tag”

Yes, reputable breeders do health testing. But even with the best genetics, IGs are prone to:

Broken legs (from falls or zoomies gone wrong)
Dental disaster (think: $900 cleanings + early tooth loss)
Luxating patella (knees that dislocate with a jump)
Sensitive digestion (not all foods work; trial and error is real)
Separation anxiety (they were bred to be companion dogs, not loners)

👉 Breeder Truth You Won’t Hear:
“This line is very healthy” doesn’t mean your pup won’t rack up vet bills. Budget for at least one surprise medical expense annually.

🧠 4. “They’re Smart—but Not in the ‘Obeys Instantly’ Way”

Italian Greyhounds are intelligent, but not obedient. They are selectively deaf if it’s cold, wet, or they’re in a mood.

Training takes consistency, patience, and sometimes bribery with chicken.

👉 Breeder Truth You Won’t Hear:
“They respond well to positive reinforcement.”
Yes, but they also require the patience of a monk and the negotiation skills of a hostage negotiator.

🧻 5. “You Might Cry About Potty Training. A Lot.”

Let’s talk about pee.

Italian Greyhounds are notoriously hard to housebreak. Their tiny bladders + sensitivity to weather = accidents. A lot of them. For a long time.

Rain? Nope.
Cold? Forget it.
Wind? Suddenly shy.
Carpet? Apparently a pee magnet.

👉 Breeder Truth You Won’t Hear:
“Just be consistent!”
Consistency helps… eventually. But expect to clean up pee and get philosophical about it.

💸 6. “$2,500 Is Just the Beginning”

Reputable Italian Greyhound breeders often charge between $2,000–$3,000. But the real price tag?

$100+ on sweaters (plural)
$200 on stairs, ramps, orthopedic beds
$1,000+ on vet bills in the first year
$400+ on dental care (maybe yearly)

👉 Breeder Truth You Won’t Hear:
“This is a luxury breed.”
Translation: budget like you’re adopting a designer purse with legs.

❤️ 7. “Despite Everything, They’ll Absolutely Wreck You (In the Best Way)”

Yes, they’re high maintenance.
Yes, they break easily.
Yes, they can’t be left alone for long, and no, they won’t learn to love the rain.

But.

Once they trust you…
Once they curl up on your chest like a mini sphinx and sigh a full-body sigh…
Once they greet you at the door like you’ve been gone for years (even if it was just a Target run)...

You’re done for.

They love hard. They love forever. And if you’re lucky, you’ll learn to love as deeply, ridiculously, and unapologetically as they do.

💬 Thinking of buying an IG puppy?

Here’s your checklist:
✅ Prepared for emotional attachment
✅ Tolerant of frequent laundry
✅ Willing to never pee alone again
✅ Ready to cry over vet bills and carpet cleaner
✅ Can laugh through chaos
✅ Love unconditional, fragile, hilarious creatures

Still in?

Welcome. You’re about to join the softest cult on Earth.