The Italian Greyhound, affectionately called the Iggy or IG, is a true toy sighthound that looks like a miniature greyhound. At around 3.5 to 5 kilos it is fine-boned, slender and elegant, with a short, smooth coat. Iggies are gentle, affectionate and sensitive, deeply bonded to their people, and they love warmth and soft places to curl up. They are fast and playful with a sighthound's chase instinct, but they are also small and genuinely delicate.
Italian Greyhounds reach Sydney and NSW rescue when their fragility and sensitivity are underestimated, sometimes after a leg fracture, and often because house-training is harder with a small dog that hates going out in cold or wet weather. The breed can be timid, and the dental and other care costs surprise some owners. Purebred Iggies appear alongside Italian Greyhound crosses, and the temperament of a cross varies, so the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with people, children and other animals matters more than the breed label.
An Italian Greyhound suits a gentle owner or family, ideally a calmer household with older or careful children, who will protect the dog's delicate legs, keep it warm on cool days, and give it the affection and closeness it craves. In the right home it is a devoted, quiet and loving companion. Browse the Italian Greyhounds and Italian Greyhound crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
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If you can no longer keep your Italian Greyhound, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
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Where can I adopt an Italian Greyhound near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Italian Greyhounds available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Italian Greyhounds above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Italian Greyhound rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Italian Greyhounds and Italian Greyhound crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Italian Greyhounds available near you.
Are these Italian Greyhounds for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Italian Greyhound here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "italian greyhound for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy an Italian Greyhound in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Italian Greyhound costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Italian Greyhound is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Italian Greyhounds have?
The main thing is their fine bones. Young Italian Greyhounds in particular are prone to leg fractures from jumping off furniture or rough play, so you need to manage heights and supervise play. The breed also has notably poor dental health and needs regular dental care and check-ups, and luxating patella (a slipping kneecap) occurs. Iggies feel the cold and can be sensitive to anaesthesia, so it helps to use a vet familiar with the breed for any procedure. A rescue Italian Greyhound arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue is noted on the listing. Ask your vet about dental care and breed-aware anaesthesia.
Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs?
They are loving, gentle and devoted little dogs, often described as lap dogs that want to be with you constantly, but their fragility shapes who they suit. Calmer homes with older or careful children are ideal, rather than boisterous toddler households where a delicate dog could easily be hurt. Iggies can be timid, so gentle, patient socialisation helps them gain confidence. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children and other animals in foster or shelter care.
How much exercise does an Italian Greyhound need, and do they feel the cold?
They are active little sighthounds that enjoy daily walks and a good run in a safe, fully fenced area, but two cautions shape their exercise. They genuinely feel the cold, so a warm coat helps on cool Sydney mornings, and their legs are delicate, so manage jumping and rough surfaces. The sighthound chase instinct means secure fencing and a harness and lead in open areas. Sydney heat matters too, so walk in cooler hours, carry water, and keep year-round paralysis tick prevention up if you walk in bushland or coastal areas.
Are Italian Greyhounds good for first-time owners?
They can suit a gentle first-time owner who understands two things: the fragility and the house-training patience the breed needs. You will need to protect the legs, keep the dog warm, and be patient and consistent with toileting, since Iggies famously dislike going out in bad weather. If that suits your household, an adult Italian Greyhound from rescue whose temperament and house-training are already known is an ideal way to start, and a gentle, reward-based approach works best with a sensitive breed.