7 8 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND. 



WHERE the original Italian Greyhounds were produced is more or less a matter of con- 

 jecture ; but doubtless a more congenial climate than our own was mainly instrumental in 

 the creation of this beautiful though fragile little dog. Italy and the South of France are 

 generally accepted as their birthplace, but it is possible that the honour thus accredited to 

 these parts of the Continent is unmerited by them. 



However, whatever was the part of the world which they originally came from, Italian 

 Greyhounds, as a breed, are now firmly established amongst us, unsuitable as the damp and 

 fogs of the English climate are to their constitutions. Moreover, the variety seems to have 

 existed in this country for many years, for, according to the " Sportsman's Repository," the 

 Italian Greyhound was probably first imported into England in the time of King Charles I. 

 who had a great admiration for this breed of dog. On the same authority we 

 learn that though from their fragile frames Italian Greyhounds are unsuitable for coursing 

 purposes, yet " Lord Orford, so renowned for his partiality to Greyhounds, and who for years 

 together kept fifty couple of them, never parting with a single whelp untried, made experi- 

 ment of the Italian cross, and it was said with some degree of success." This tends to prove 

 that not only was the breed in existence, but that its merits were fully recognised years ago. 

 What advantage, however, Lord Orford could expect to derive from crossing the Italian 

 with our English Greyhound we confess ourselves to be at a loss to conjecture, as the con- 

 stitution, bone, muscle, and stamina of the larger breed would, we imagine, most certainly be 

 impaired by the introduction of Italian blood into it. 



As may readily be conjectured by any who have seen specimens of the breed, the 

 Italian Greyhound is one of the most delicate breeds of dog, and the possession of one 

 entails a great expenditure of care and attention upon its owner. The extreme delicacy of 

 its skin has always been the subject of special comment by those who have written on it; and 

 some of the earlier contributors to our canine literature solemnly assert that if an Italian 

 Greyhound is held by the tail in front of a strong light the skin of the sides is so fine and 

 transparent that the intestines can be plainly seen beneath it. Such statements are naturally 

 exaggerated, but are worth repetition as showing that the skins of these fascinating little 

 dogs were always recognised as particularly fine and delicate. In the face of their con- 

 stitutional weakness, Italian Greyhounds should be most carefully kept beyond the reach of 

 damp and draughts, as a chill is certain destruction if not taken in time and promptly 

 treated. Warm clothing, too, should always be worn out of doors unless on very fine days, 

 and the food should be cooling and not calculated to heat the blood if the coat is to be 

 kept on the dog. 



There is also a great inclination on the part of Italian Greyhounds, as in other Toy 

 dogs, to contract mange, blotch, and other skin diseases ; which, however, will be treated of in 

 another portion of this work. In the meantime it may be suggested to owners of Toy dogs 



