Shaeden Italian Greyhounds

A fantastic elegant, beautiful dog that loves to cuddle and is always looking for a warm lap.  Impossible to sit down without being bombarded by Iggies!  They love their families, kids or adults. They do well with all types of dogs big or little.  Great with other animals too.  HOWEVER.....

While our love for these dogs is addictive and passionate, they are NOT a breed for everyone.  They cannot be trusted without a leash,  They are nervous, high strung and wild if not socialized.  I do not mean the typical socialization for the general dog either.  These guys need 20 times the socializing that other breeds need. They need extensive and intense recall training using positive reinforcement.  They need regular obedience classes and outings to pet stores, dog parks ( to observe) anywhere dogs are welcomed. 

It could take up to a year or more to have a completely reliable house-trained IG.  Longer and sometimes never if you are not 100% committed to doing it properly.  Properly means crate training and letting them out every 2 hours to go potty outside.  Watching them 200% of the time when they are loose in the house.  The less you let accidents happen the quicker they catch on.  These guys have a bladder the size of a pea and it is important to stretch it slowly at least to the size of a quarter.  Once they catch on then they are good to go.  Sleeping through the night generally happens first but don't think you can sneak out for an early cuppa joe without inviting them or else you will be washing blankets!  I have done up to 7 loads of laundry in a single day when crate training first starts!!!  There has been days that I wanted to trade them in for fish because I honestly thought even fish would be easier to keep dry!

They can be barkers and are absolutely fearless.  IGs have no idea that they are dogs.  They really do believe they are superheros.  They think they can fly and leap tall buildings in a single bound but are happy to practice on tables or countertops.  They attempt to leap from doorways onto Sofas without touching the floor.  Of course this is to be discouraged as their lack of depth perception is a little askew and they generally land short.  They are faster than a speeding bullet and will run without a thought of what is under their feet or where it is their destination takes them.

These guys are no snow bunnies!   They HATE the cold and it is cruel and sad to watch them walking on 3 or even 2 feet trying to avoid touching the icking, nasty stuff.  They have absolutely NO body fat so an additional fashion layer is necessary to keep them warm in adverse conditions.  They truely are the Divas of the dog world!!                     

They HATE being alone so if you and your partner both have full time jobs then please do not be selfish and bring an IG puppy home unless you are willing to hire a pet sitter or can bring your Iggy to work with you.  The most I would ever suggest leaving and IG would be 3 hours for a puppy and a maximum of 5 for an adult.  When I have to be gone for more than 3 hours I load up every single IG and bring them along!  That's 8 IGs. (*NOTE:  NEVER EVER leave any dog in a vehicle when it is above 70 degrees (overcast) or 60 degrees ( full sunshine ) without opening a window.  NEVER EVER EVER leave a dog unattended in a vehicle when it is above 70 degrees with full sunshine.  Even with a window open it can become very hot inside your car.  Overheating can cause brain damage and kidney failure. 

 Some thoughts on children and Italian Greyhounds - IGs love kids.  Kids love IGs.  BUT because of the fragility of the breed they are not recommended for children under 10 years of age.  They are not recommended for children that have not learned to respect animals.  They are not recommeded for excitable or rough children.