Italian Greyhounds are delightful little dogs who can do very well in a variety of different family situations.
They are readily available from breeders throughout the United States, but how much can you expect to pay for your new Italian Greyhound?
How much do Italian Greyhounds cost? Italian Greyhounds cost from $1400 to around $2,000 for a pet dog. Dogs with show potential may cost much more or only be available in shared ownership with the breeder. Many variables impact the price of your dog, including health clearances and lineage.
Keep reading to learn more about the cost of Italian Greyhounds, what affects the cost, and what to look for in a breeder and a dog.
Breeder Prices
Here are a few real breeder prices for pet-quality Italian Greyhounds.
| Breeder | Price | Location |
| Marchwind Italian Greyhounds | $1,500 | Vienna, Georgia |
| Wynson Kennels | $1,400 | Micanopy, Florida |
| Sugar Valley Farm | $1,800-$2,000 | Sugar Valley, Georgia |
| Celtic Sighthounds | $1,800 | Pottstown, Pennsylvania |
What Affects Cost?
There are a number of aspects that may affect the cost of your Italian Greyhound.
Costs may go much higher than what is typical for a pet dog if you are looking for an animal with show potential.
Sometimes color and gender can have an effect on the cost, but not always. Here are a few things that you can expect to affect the cost of your Italian Greyhound.
Pet or Show Quality
Responsible breeders are aiming for a dog that can excel in the show ring. This is the best way to produce dogs that are as close to the breed standard as possible.
When a litter of puppies is born and as they begin to grow, breeders look for indications that they are going to be an excellent example of their breed.
Dogs whom breeders think are going to do well at dog shows may be priced much more highly or may not even be for sale.
Sometimes you can take partial ownership of a show dog.
The dog will live with you and you will care for him, but the breeder has some rights to make decisions, especially regarding spaying or neutering.
Breeders also retain the right to breed the dog and bring him to shows within reason.
These contracts are complicated, but they can be a great way to get an absolutely stunning Italian Greyhound at little or no cost.
Dogs sold as pets do not have characteristics that will likely cause them to do very well in the show ring.
This doesn’t mean that they aren’t beautiful dogs. To the average person, pet dogs will be indistinguishable from show dogs.
Pet dogs are still exceptionally well-bred and good examples of their breed.
Flaws like a nose that is a little bit too long or a chest that is a bit too broad have little effect on a dog’s ability to be a perfect family pet.
Pet dogs generally come at a slightly lower cost than show dogs, although you can still expect to pay at least $1,500 to $2,000.
Breeders will likely have you sign a clause in the contract stating that you will not breed your Italian Greyhound.
Lineage
If you are interested in a puppy whose parents or grandparents were champions, get ready to pay a higher price.
Dogs who have excelled in the show ring produce puppies who fetch a higher price tag.
Health Clearances
Italian Greyhounds have a couple of genetic related issues that should be screened for by responsible breeders.
Italian Greyhounds should be tested for hip, knee, thyroid, and eye diseases which may come up in the breed.
The more health clearances a dog has, the more you are likely to pay for the dog. This is because having a dog cleared of health concerns comes at a cost to the breeder.
Not all of these genetic conditions can be screened for in puppies. In many cases, you may ask the breeder to prove that these diseases were not present in the parents.
Italian Greyhounds who come from long lines of dogs who did not suffer from the following conditions will cost more than dogs who have shorter healthy lineages.
Great breeders may be happy to prove that their dogs have been cleared of one or multiple kinds of genetic issues for many generations.
Hips
Hip dysplasia is a disabling disease that causes Italian Greyhounds pain, immobility, and arthritis.
It can sometimes be repaired with surgery, but surgery is costly and the recovery process difficult.
Your breeder should be able to provide you with written documentation from either the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or a University Veterinary Hospital that the parents’ hips are free of dysplasia.
Knees
Knee problems such as luxating patella can have a very negative effect on your Italian Greyhound’s life in similar ways as hip problems, like hip dysplasia, can.
Occasionally luxating patella can be fixed with surgery or managed with lifestyle changes. You want to know that your Italian Greyhound’s parents are free of knee problems.
Eyes
Italian Greyhounds are prone to several eye concerns that may cause blindness.
Many older Italian Greyhounds develop cataracts, which will lead to blindness without surgery. Glaucoma is an extremely painful eye condition that leads to blindness if left untreated.
In progressive retinal atrophy, a dog’s genes cause them to go blind.
Your breeder should be able to present you with proof that your dog’s parents do not have any eye conditions.
There are also genetic tests available for progressive retinal atrophy, so the best breeders may test puppies as well as parents.
Liver
Italian Greyhounds are more prone to portosystemic shunt than other breeds.
With this condition, the blood supply goes around the liver instead of to it, causing the liver to not grow and function normally.
Italian Greyhounds with this condition may have stunted growth and seizures. They may be managed on a special diet and medication or may require surgery.
You should be confident that your Italian Greyhound’s parents did not have liver problems like this.
Bleeding Disorders
Italian Greyhounds are prone to a blood clotting disorder known as Von Willebrand’s disease.
This disease keeps your dog from clotting blood normally, so he can experience severe bleeding from even a minor injury.
Your veterinarian should perform a DNA blood test for this disease and other clotting diseases before doing surgery on your Italian Greyhound regardless of the dog’s parentage.
Ideally, a breeder will test puppies for bleeding disorders.
Finding a Good Breeder
A good Italian Greyhound breeder will be as interested in learning more about you as you are about learning more about them and their dogs.
They should want to make sure that their puppies only go to a good home.
Get ready to answer lots of questions and go through a lot of paperwork before you are approved to get your puppy.
Good breeders screen for as many health conditions as possible and only breed dogs that do not suffer from genetic conditions.
While it isn’t necessary that a good breeder is actively showing dogs, it is a very good sign of a breeder’s commitment to the breed standard if they are actively breeding dogs for show.
Italian Greyhound Adoption Tips
If you are planning to adopt an Italian Greyhound, whether you are rescuing a dog or buying from a breeder, it’s a good idea to keep a few things in mind as you bring the dog into your home.
- Cover slick floors with rugs. Italian Greyhounds have delicate, slender legs which, unfortunately, can be injured or broken all too easily. Rugs will provide some much-needed traction to keep your Italian Greyhound safe.
- Set aside some time. Italian Greyhounds are famously very loving and sometimes a bit needy, so your dog is likely to need plenty of your time and attention when he first arrives at your home and is getting settled in to his new life.
- Establish a routine. A very well structured routine is the best way to set your Italian Greyhound up for success in training, including potty training. Get your routine going as soon as your dog arrives and stick with it.
