How Much Does an Italian Greyhound Cost? 2024 Price Guide

Italian Greyhounds are somewhat rare in the United States. They are not nearly as common as other sighthounds. However, they are not necessarily as expensive as you would imagine. Often, you can find them for anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000 when you purchase from a qualified breeder.

Most dogs that cost closer to $3,000 are bred as show dogs and have a significant number of champions in their bloodline. Those on the cheaper end are pet-quality dogs or produced by newer breeders.

On top of actually purchasing the puppy, you’ll need to consider the monthly cost which can go up to $85–$635 per month. Your first year will often cost the most, as you’ll need to purchase many one-time supplies that can go around $350 or more. Puppies also need more training than adult dogs, which often means higher costs as well.

 

Italian Greyhound Price: One-Time Costs

When you first bring home a puppy, there are quite a few one-time costs you need to consider. Of course, you need to purchase the actual puppy. This can cost quite a bit of money, depending on where you purchase the dog. Often, you’re looking at a few thousand dollars, at least when you purchase from a breeder.

Other options may be cheaper, but these dogs tend to be of lower quality. They may end up costing you more in the long term. You also need to consider all of the supplies your puppy needs. For instance, the dog will need a dog bed, toys, and similar supplies.

Free Italian Greyhounds

It is very rare to find Italian Greyhounds for free. These are rare in the United States, so there usually aren’t any accidental litters—the source of most free puppies. For this reason, we don’t typically recommend waiting around until you find a free puppy. You’ll likely be waiting for a very long time.

Many of these dogs also aren’t the best quality. In many cases, they don’t receive the proper vet care. Most free puppies don’t come from health-tested parents, either. If they did, they wouldn’t be free.

Italian Greyhound Adoption

Usually, you won’t find these dogs up for adoption. They simply aren’t common enough. In many cases, they only come from breeders, and most breeders have a return policy with their dogs. Therefore, if someone can’t take care of their dog, they will likely return it to the breeder—not a local animal shelter.

If you do find these dogs at a rescue, you’ll pay $300 at the most. This is largely because rescues aren’t for profit, and they don’t have to pay to have the dog bred. Therefore, they can afford to charge far less for their dogs and still function.

Italian Greyhound Breeders

The price range for this breed is rather large. This fact is mostly due to their rarity. Breeders often have a hard time figuring out how to price their dogs, so you can get a wide range of options.

The puppy’s pedigree also has a big effect on their cost. Puppies with more champions in their bloodline will cost less. This is mostly because they are more likely to compete well in shows, which means their puppies will be worth more. Many $3,000 dogs are purchased by breeders who plan on breeding the dog later on.

Italian Greyhound Price: Initial Setup and Supplies

You’ll need to purchase a variety of supplies for your dog as well. All puppies will need roughly the same things. However, it can vary a bit from dog to dog. Even if you currently own a dog, you’ll find yourself purchasing quite a few supplies.

For instance, your new puppy will need a dog crate and a dog bed. These will likely be your most expensive purchases. You’ll also need to purchase a lot of cheaper things, like dog collars and leashes. However, these purchases can add up quickly.

Below, we’ve covered some of the most common purchases you’ll need for your new puppy.

List of Italian Greyhound Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does an Italian Greyhound Cost Per Month?

While they are described as “Greyhounds,” the Italian variety is actually quite small. They only weigh 7 to 14 pounds.

Their smaller size means that you’ll likely pay less for their care each month. They simply don’t eat a lot and usually don’t require much vet care either. In general, these can be budget-friendly dogs, especially if you are mindful of your spending.

Below, we’ll help you figure out exactly what you can expect to spend on your dog in this section. Much of your spending will be decided on your decisions, though there are some costs that you can’t get around.

Italian Greyhound Health Care Costs

Most of your costs will involve health care of some sort. We’ve included a variety of different costs in this category, including food, grooming, and vet care.

For these dogs, none of these categories will cost very much. They don’t eat very much and are usually quite healthy. Most of their grooming can be done at home, so you may end up spending absolutely nothing a month on grooming.

In some cases, your costs may be higher based on your specific geographical area. In some places, vet care is exceedingly expensive, which will make pet insurance more expensive as well.

Italian Greyhound Food Costs

These dogs don’t eat a lot. They might be active, but their smaller size means that they won’t actually need many calories. In most cases, you’ll be spending about $10 for your puppy’s food a month. Your costs will rise slightly as your dog grows. However, they usually don’t end up eating that much more, so you’ll likely not notice the increase in price.

These numbers are assuming that you’re purchasing high-quality food along the lines of Blue Buffalo or Merrick. If you purchase lower-quality food, your costs will be lower as well. However, we don’t recommend this, as it can cause bigger vet bills down the line.

Italian Greyhound Grooming Costs

With their very short hair, these dogs don’t need much grooming. A quick brush once a week is usually all they need. You’ll also need to brush their teeth and trim their nails. Keeping an eye on their ears is recommended, but they usually don’t require much cleaning.

Many people can do all of this at home by themselves. However, if you do decide to take your dog to a groomer, you likely won’t need to very often. Some owners take their dogs to a groomer about twice a year for a bath and intensive grooming. This will up your costs slightly.

Italian Greyhound Medications and Vet Visits

Your vet bills can vary widely depending on your geographical location. Your first-year costs will likely be the highest, as puppies need more vet care than adults. You can expect to take your puppy to the vet at least three times during their first year for vaccinations and exams.

Adults only need one visit a year, but they will often need more examinations and tests during this visit. Your costs may not vary that much because of this.

All dogs will need parasite prevention, including heartworm, flea, and tick. We’ve included these preventative medications in this budget. Because these dogs are smaller, you’ll pay less for medication of all sorts.

Italian Greyhound Pet Insurance Costs

Pet insurance is fairly important for these dogs. While they are healthy, accidents can happen to any canine. They are also prone to a few health problems, which can be very expensive to treat. As you might imagine, the insurance you choose has a huge effect on the price.

Different plans cover different illnesses and accidents. Some cover preventative care, but most do not. Your geographical area will matter, just like it does with your vet bills. Your deductible and premium will also make a significant difference.

While this will up your monthly costs, it will prevent you from paying huge vet bills in the future. Budgeting for pet insurance is much easier than budgeting for a substantial and unknown vet cost.

Italian Greyhound Environment Maintenance Costs

Often, these dogs don’t require much activity. However, they will need an hour or so of exercise a day. When they are puppies, their needs may be a bit higher. These dogs are built for speed over stamina, so they often exercise very hard for a short time.

Most people will be able to handle all of their exercise needs themselves. However, some will need a bit of help and may need to hire a dog walker. Depending on how often you do this, your costs could rise substantially. Some people may pay just as much in dog walking bills as they do other costs.

Italian Greyhound Entertainment Costs

These dogs often like to play quite a bit. They don’t go through toys as quickly as other dogs, but you should plan on buying new toys and chews often. This usually isn’t too expensive, as they thrive perfectly fine on smaller toys.

You should plan on spending about $30 a month on toys for your Italian Greyhound. Puppies may need you to spend a bit more, as they will usually go through chews and toys a bit faster.

Despite their reputation, these dogs likely aren’t as active as you’d imagine. They’ll play hard for a few moments, and then they’ll spend a while laying around. For this reason, you can expect your costs to be a bit lower than they would be for other breeds.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Italian Greyhound

In many cases, these dogs are not very expensive every month. Most owners will spend on the lower end of this range. Unless you’re making extensive use of a dog walker, you likely won’t spend higher amounts. You can expect to spend between $85 to $400 in most cases, assuming that you’re watching your spending and not splurging.

These dogs can absolutely be budget canines if you spend your money wisely. However, you can run up your costs with pet insurance and dog walkers if you choose.

Additional Costs to Factor In

There are quite a few different costs that we didn’t include in this article. Many of these are difficult to budget for, which is why we did not plan for them in our usual budget.

These include emergency treatments for both diseases and illnesses. While pet insurance will help you out in some cases, you will likely have to pay something. Most pet insurance companies only pay a percentage of the cost, so you will still be stuck paying a portion.

Some pets will damage your furniture and flooring, which will cost money to be repaired. This is more common with puppies and something you should plan for, though it can be difficult to figure out exactly how much you should be planning on paying.

We recommend an emergency fund for these purposes. It will allow you to pay for these expenses without really needing to plan for them.

Owning an Italian Greyhound on a Budget

These dogs can make great budget pets. They don’t require huge amounts of food, and their supplies are usually cheaper due to their small size. If you take care of their grooming and exercise needs by yourself, then you will pay very little a month.

Most of this dog’s costs will come from services like grooming and exercise. If you skip these costs, you may pay as little as $100 a month.

However, in some areas, the cost of vet care can be fairly high. This depends mostly on your geographical location, so be sure to look at the vet costs in your area if you are planning on getting a dog.

Saving Money on Italian Greyhound Care

The easiest way to save money is to take care of all of your dog’s grooming and exercise needs yourself. This will eliminate potentially hundreds a month in costs and likely drive your dog’s maintenance costs down to under $300.

Your geographical area does matter, though. Some vets are more expensive in particular areas. Therefore, you may pay more for vet care if you’re in a specific area. If you can travel for your dog’s preventive care, you may save a bit of money.

Pet insurance can also help you save money on emergency care, though it can add more to your monthly costs.

 

Conclusion on the Costs of Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhounds are smaller and less expensive dogs to own. Some people may pay under $100 a month for these canines, which is far cheaper than many dog breeds.

You can expect to pay about $1,200 to $3,000 for a puppy from a breeder. This is about what you can expect for a purebred dog. Many people will pay on the lower end of this range. Dogs that are above $2,500 usually show dogs that are purchased by other breeders. If you’re looking for a pet, you’ll spend closer to $1,500.

One-time costs will likely be on the lower end as well since these dogs need smaller beds and other equipment. Most people will spend about $450 for their dog’s supplies in the first year. After that, you won’t have to worry about purchasing many of these items again for years.

See also:

• 20 Most Smelly Dog Breeds – Pics, Info, & Ways to Prevent Stinkiness
• 15 Scottish Dog Breeds: An Overview

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Featured Image Credit: Alexandra Morrison Photo, Shutterstock