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Gomez |
Gomez und Morticia |
| I am the ITALIAN GREYHOUND a.k.a. 'eye-G'. I'm the smallest sight hound breed; dogs that hunt using their keen eyesight. My forerunners date back well over two thousand years to Egypt. A mummy was recovered that resembles the modern IG. It is speculated that mine is the first breed to have been bred just for companionship. Even Cleopatra is reputed to have had some. | |
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Anna mit Morticia |
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| Carvings uncovered from the ruins of Pompeii warn Cave Canum (Beware of Dog) believed to mean, "Watch out, don't step on the IG!" IGs arrived with Roman soldiers to Italy some time during the crusades. Soon we became the favorite high stepping palace companions of nobility throughout Europe and Russia * . Featured in many Renaissance works of art ** , folks dubbed us 'Italian". It's a nice story but our true origin is a continuing subject for debate. We are definitely a Mediterranean breed. Some think the English Greyhounds were bred up in size from us and some think we may have been bred down in size from our larger cousins. It is more probable that we continue as two distinct breeds. | |
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| Contrary to what my name implies, I can be found in solid and mixed shades of black, red, fawn, white and blue. Although I appear delicate, this is deceptive. I am a lean running machine and have the sharp hunting instincts of the larger sight hounds. We gallop amazingly fast; 20 plus mile per hour sprints is not bad for a dog 13 to 15 inches tall. I have no doggy odor and am not yappy. My bark is surprisingly deep. With my short coat, I require minimum grooming. My job is to adore my care giver. Aloof with strangers, I may acknowledge them . . . . . . .if I feel like it! | |
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* The breed was a favorite of various royal families of Europe, including the consort of England's James I, Anne of Denmark; Mary Beatrice d'Este of Modena, the Italian consort of James II; Frederick the Great of Prussia; Catherine the Great of Russia; and Queen Victoria. ** They were frequently included in the Renaissance paintings of such artists as Giotto, Carpaccio, Memling, Van der Weyden, Gerard David, Hieronymus Bosch and others. |
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