Italian Greyhound Stud Dog Guide: Health Testing, Colour Genetics & Stud Fees

The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds — elegant, affectionate, and surprisingly athletic. Breeding quality IGs requires understanding their unique fragility, colour genetics, and specific health risks.

The Italian Greyhound (IG) is a miniature sighthound that has been a companion dog for centuries. They are slender, fine-boned, and devoted to their owners in a way few breeds match. Their delicate structure requires specific attention in breeding selection, and their colour genetics offer some of the richest variety of any breed.

The Fragility Factor

The Italian Greyhound's fine bone structure creates a risk that most breeders are well aware of: leg fractures are extremely common in IGs, particularly in puppies and young adults. The radius, ulna, and tibia can fracture from routine jumps — off a couch, out of arms, or from a small step.

When selecting a stud, bone substance matters. Within the breed standard, there is variation in bone density — some lines are finer than others. Studs from lines with a history of fractures, or who have had fractures themselves, should be used with caution. Well-boned IGs with sturdy structure within standard produce offspring that are somewhat more resilient.

Health Testing Requirements

Patellar Luxation (OFA)

Patellar luxation is the most important health test for Italian Greyhounds. Grade 0 (Normal) is required for any stud. Luxating patellas are extremely common in fine-boned toy breeds and cause significant pain and lameness.

Eye Certification (CAER)

Annual CAER certification screens for PRA and other inherited eye conditions. IGs are prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Cardiac Evaluation

OFA cardiac evaluation to screen for inherited cardiac conditions.

Dental Health

Italian Greyhounds have notoriously poor dental health — small mouths, crowded teeth, and gum disease are endemic in the breed. While there is no OFA certification for dental health, selecting studs with good dental structure and tooth spacing reduces this problem in offspring.

Hypothyroidism

Thyroid disease occurs in IGs. A thyroid panel is advisable for any breeding male showing symptoms, and informative even in asymptomatic dogs from affected lines.

Colour Genetics

Italian Greyhounds come in one of the richest colour palettes of any breed:

• Blue (dilute black — dd genotype)
• Fawn — ranging from cream to deep red
• Black — with or without white markings
• Sable — fawn with dark tipping
• Chocolate — rare, recessive bb
• Blue fawn, blue sable — blue combined with fawn base
• Cream

Brindle and tan-point (black and tan) are disqualifications under AKC and FCI standards.

Colour dilution alopecia (CDA) — a skin condition associated with the dilute (dd) gene causing hair loss and skin problems — is present in blue IGs. Not all blue dogs develop CDA, but the risk is elevated. This is not a reason to avoid blue dogs, but buyers should be informed.

Stud Fees for Italian Greyhounds

IG stud fees typically range from $800 to $2,000:

• Health-tested male with OFA patella Normal, CAER current: $800–$1,400
• AKC champion with full health panel: $1,200–$2,000
• Rare colour (chocolate, blue fawn) males with good health testing: premium pricing

Summary

An Italian Greyhound stud must be OFA patella Normal and have a current CAER eye certification. Bone substance should be evaluated within breed standard — not just health tests. Colour genetics are rich and worth understanding for planning specific colour combinations. Fracture history in close relatives is a legitimate consideration. Fees run $800–$1,500 for a well-tested male.