How long do Italian Greyhounds live: the short answer
An Italian Greyhound usually lives 12–15 years. The breed club IGCA says 14–15 years is not unusual, and often longer. Hill’s Pet gives 12–15 years. And a Wikipedia review puts median longevity at about 14 years, against 12.5 for dogs overall.
For a small dog that is a good result. What to know:
- 12–15 years is the typical range, and 14–15 is no exception.
- Nobody can guarantee how long your own dog will live: it depends on health, chance and care.
- What matters most are the things we can control: teeth, weight, a safe home and regular check-ups.
Italian Greyhound lifespan: the numbers
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| IGCA (breed club, USA) | 14–15 years is not unusual, often longer |
| Hill’s Pet | 12–15 years |
| Wikipedia (review) | median about 14 years, dogs overall 12.5 years |
The figures differ a little because they come from different samples and methods. All three agree on one thing: an Italian Greyhound lives no less than, and often longer than, the average dog.
What decides how long an Italian Greyhound lives
Several things shape an Italian Greyhound’s life.
Heredity. Healthy parents and checks before breeding lower the risk of inherited problems. Breeding dogs should be checked for knees, eyes and thyroid and have DNA tests. More in our health article.
Teeth. Dental and gum disease is a common problem in the breed. Left untreated it can lead to wider health problems: vets often write about this. Brush daily and have a professional cleaning yearly.
Weight. It is easy to overfeed an Italian Greyhound. Extra weight loads the joints and heart and complicates anesthesia.
Injuries. A young dog’s slender legs are easy to injure. A safe home without jumps from height cuts the risk greatly. More in our article on leg fractures.
Cold. An Italian Greyhound copes poorly with cold and damp. Chilling is not a good load on the body, so in cold it needs clothing.
How to help an Italian Greyhound live longer
The simplest things matter most:
- Brush the teeth. Ideally every day, and have a vet check them once a year.
- Watch the weight. Weigh your dog monthly and weigh the food.
- Make the home safe: a ramp to the sofa, non-slip floors, no jumps from height.
- Do not walk off lead outside an enclosed area: the dog will chase movement, and that is one of the most serious risks.
- Dress the dog in cold and damp weather.
- Keep up vet check-ups, especially with age.
- Before anesthesia discuss drugs and warming with the vet: sighthounds are sensitive to anesthetics.
None of this guarantees a long life, but all of it really lowers the risks.
Life stages
The sources give no exact age boundaries. But it is usual to distinguish:
- a puppy: the first year, when bones need protecting and the dog gets used to care;
- an adult dog: the main period, when teeth, weight and walks matter;
- a senior dog: the load on teeth, joints and heart grows with age. The routine should be discussed with the vet. More in our article on senior Italian Greyhounds.
Lifespan: frequently asked questions
- How long does an Italian Greyhound live on average? 12–15 years, median about 14.
- Is it true small dogs live longer? In general small breeds outlive large ones, but each breed differs. For Italian Greyhounds the sources give 12–15 years.
- How long do they live in a flat? The sources have no data on flat versus house. Care and safety matter more.
- What can shorten an Italian Greyhound’s life? Accidents (injuries, getting lost on a walk) and neglected dental disease. The sources give no firm statistics.
- Can I lengthen its life? You cannot guarantee it, but you can lower the risks: care, weight, safety and check-ups.
What to remember
- An Italian Greyhound usually lives 12–15 years, often 14–15.
- Teeth, weight, safety and check-ups matter most.
- Do not walk off lead outside an enclosed area: it is one of the most serious risks.
- Clothing in cold and damp protects against chilling.
Sources
References for checking facts and reading further.
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