GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 32-38 cm (12.5 - 15")
Colour: Red, white, blue, black, cream and fawn with or without white.
Coat: Short, fine and glossy.
Gait: High stepping with forelegs reaching up and out and with a strong true hind movement.
Although the smallest member of the sighthound family, these dogs combine grace with elegance. The head is long and narrow with a slight stop and a fine muzzle. The rose shaped ears fold back and the large bright eyes are full of expression. The long gracefully arched neck flows into long sloping shoulders to a back which is slightly arched over the loin to a low set and low carried fine tail. Fore and hindquarters are well angulated with elongated feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
The adaptable nature of this intelligent toy breed and the lack of yappiness make them an ideal breed for families with restricted space. Only weighing from 2.7-4.5kg (6-10lb) their long legs may be susceptible to fractures if in the hands of rough children. While being devoted to their family, like most sighthounds, they are aloof with strangers. Loving warmth, they are often found curled up under cushions or blankets. Their coat is easily maintained, but in order to keep their teeth strong and healthy for many years, they should be given things like rawhide bones on which to chew.
HISTORY
The sighthound family goes back thousands of years and archaeological excavations have revealed drawings of miniature greyhounds in areas around Greece and Turkey. Their popularity was already established in Italy during the lst century AD, particularly in Pompeii at the time the city was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The breed survived due to its elegance, small size and sweet disposition and its popularity reached a peak during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. Ithas been claimed that Frederick the Great had a kennel of over 50 of these charming hounds.