Italian Greyhound Size Chart: How to Pick XS, S, M or L (and When to Go Custom)
Our Italian Greyhound size chart runs from XS to L, set mainly by back length (base of the neck to the base of the tail) with weight as a cross-check, plus separate Whippet and Greyhound back lengths. Measure your dog's back first, find the matching row below, then confirm with weight and read the size details in the product description. If your Iggy falls between rows, is a puppy, a Biggy-Iggy or a mix, a custom piece made to your measurements is usually the safer choice.
Key takeaways
- XS is under 12.5 inches of back length; L is 17 to 18 inches.
- Back length picks the size on most listings; weight is a cross-check.
- Neck and chest measurements fine tune custom pieces.
- Between sizes, growing, very large or mixed breed? Custom is built from your numbers.
The Little Milo's Closet Italian Greyhound Size Chart
These are our standard sizes. They apply to our Ready to Wear pieces and give you a starting point for custom orders.
| Size | Back length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| XS | Under 12.5 in | Under 8 lb |
| S | 13.5 in | 8 to 10 lb |
| M | 14 to 16 in | 10 to 16 lb |
| L | 17 to 18 in | 16 to 20 lb |
| Whippet | 20 to 22 in | Not listed |
| Greyhound | 26 to 28 in | Not listed |
Please read the size details in each product description, because some styles fit differently or have their own finished measurements. Our size guide page has the same chart for quick reference.
Back Length vs Weight: Which One Picks the Size?
For most of our garments, back length is the number that matters. Several listings say so directly: our custom tops ask you to measure from the base of the neck to right above the tail for pricing, and the blanket style walking coat bases the size to purchase on that same length.
Weight is useful as a sanity check, but it can mislead. Two Iggies with the same back can weigh quite differently depending on build and condition. The Italian Greyhound Club of America describes an Iggy in proper weight as one where the hip bones can just be seen and the ribs can be felt under a thin covering of flesh, so a fit, lean dog may weigh less than the chart suggests for its length. Our guide to keeping an Iggy at a healthy weight explains how to judge body condition.
The breed's own range also helps put the chart in context. The AKC lists Italian Greyhounds at 13 to 15 inches tall and 7 to 14 pounds. Our size L goes up to 20 pounds, so the chart also covers Iggies bigger than that range: the dogs we call Biggy-Iggies.
If back length and weight point to different sizes, go by back length and then check the chest. When they are far apart, that is often a sign a custom piece will fit better.
Italian Greyhound Measurements: The Four Numbers
You only need a soft tape and, ideally, a helper. Our 4 step measuring guide has the full walkthrough and video, but here is what each number is for:
- Neck: where a collar naturally sits, snug but not tight. It sets the collar or turtleneck.
- Chest: the widest part, just behind the front legs, with your dog standing. It decides whether a garment closes comfortably over the deep sighthound chest.
- Back length: base of the neck to the base of the tail, not down the tail. It picks the size.
- Leg length: top of the back between the shoulder blades down to the ankle. It matters for sleeved and full body pieces, but it does not set the size on its own.
People often ask for an average Italian Greyhound neck size or chest size. Because Iggies range so widely in build, we do not size from averages: measure your own dog and send those numbers with any custom order. Some custom listings also note that we will send a measurement chart after you order, so the piece fits just right.
Between Sizes? How to Decide
Being between sizes happens often with sighthound shapes, since chest, waist and back length do not always line up with one row. Here is how to think it through:
- Read the finished measurements. Some listings give them. Our eyelash fringe sweater listing, for example, asks you to compare your dog's neck, chest and back length to the finished sizes. Our XL fleece vests list a finished neck of 14 inches, chest of 24 inches and length of 19 inches.
- Consider the fabric. Some listings, such as our cable knit sweaters and UV pieces, describe a lot of stretch, which gives more leeway than a fabric without much give.
- Do not size down sun wear. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that stretched fabric loses some of its protective ability, so a UV piece should not be pulled tight.
- Ask. If you are unsure, send your measurements through our contact page before you order.
- Go custom. Custom listings let you choose the closest size and then include your dog's actual measurements.
Italian Greyhound Sizes for Biggy-Iggies, Whippets and Greyhounds
Size L covers 17 to 18 inches of back and 16 to 20 pounds, and our Ready to Wear microfleece top listing labels that size Large (Biggy Iggy). Our knitted pom pom hats are one size for most Iggies, and the listing notes a few were made larger for Biggy-Iggies.
Beyond L, our chart switches to Whippet (20 to 22 inches of back) and Greyhound (26 to 28 inches). For context, the AKC lists Whippets at 18 to 22 inches tall and 25 to 40 pounds, and Greyhounds at 27 to 30 inches tall and 60 to 70 pounds. Our custom 2-legged jumpers for Whippets and Greyhounds come in XL and XXL. See the whippet clothes guide for breed specific fit advice.
Sizing an Italian Greyhound Puppy
Puppies change quickly, so buy for now and plan to re-measure. The AKC's puppy growth guide says small breeds typically stop growing by 6 to 8 months of age, and VCA Animal Hospitals puts small breed adult size at 6 to 12 months.
A few practical tips for a growing Iggy:
- Measure every few weeks and before each order.
- Ready to Wear XS pieces, such as our extra small fleece tops, are a quick option while your puppy grows.
- Our extra small knitted hats are made for Italian Greyhound puppies and extra small Iggies.
- Save custom orders for when growth slows, since custom items are made to measure and not returnable.
Our Italian Greyhound puppy clothes guide covers dressing a puppy in more detail.
When Custom Is the Right Call
Chiggys, mixes and other small breeds
We make outfits for Chiggys (Chihuahua and Italian Greyhound mixes) and many other small, medium and larger breeds. The AKC lists the Chihuahua at 5 to 8 inches tall and not exceeding 6 pounds, compared with 13 to 15 inches and 7 to 14 pounds for the Italian Greyhound, so a Chiggy may not match any Iggy row at all.
For any non-Iggy or unusual fit, use our Custom Order Quote form. The listing asks for your dog's measurements and notes that a photo helps us see their shape and size. You can see examples on our non-Iggy outfits page, and read custom clothes for hard to fit small dogs for more.
Other reasons to choose custom
Ready to Wear comes in standard Iggy sizes, ships the next business day, and most styles are in limited supply. Choose custom instead when:
- Back length, chest and weight point to different sizes.
- Your dog is a Biggy-Iggy, a Whippet, a Greyhound or a mix.
- You need sleeves or legs cut to a specific length.
- The fabric or color you want is only offered as custom.
Some custom styles also have their own limits. The Wild Thing faux fur coat is made for pups no longer than 17 inches, the hooded quick wrap vest is currently for pups under 20 pounds, and the reversible harness vest is made for dogs from 1.5 to 19 pounds with 8 to 20 inch chests. Custom items typically ship in about four weeks, depending on how busy the shop is, and are not returnable because they are made to measure. Our custom vs ready to wear guide compares the two in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is an Italian Greyhound in dog clothes?
Most adult Iggies fall between our XS and L. Use back length first: under 12.5 inches is XS, 13.5 inches is S, 14 to 16 inches is M, and 17 to 18 inches is L. Then check weight and the size details in the product description.
What is the average Italian Greyhound neck size?
There is no reliable single number, because Iggies vary a lot in build. Measure where a collar naturally sits, snug but not tight, and use that measurement. Custom listings ask for your dog's neck circumference so the collar fits your dog, not an average.
How do I measure my Italian Greyhound's chest size?
Wrap a soft tape around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, with your dog standing. Our measuring guide shows each step, including tips for a wiggly dog.
My Iggy is between sizes. Which should I choose?
Go by back length, then check the chest and any finished measurements in the listing. If the numbers still disagree, a custom piece made to your measurements avoids the guesswork.
Does this size chart work for Whippets and Greyhounds?
Yes, as a starting point. Our chart lists Whippet back lengths of 20 to 22 inches and Greyhound back lengths of 26 to 28 inches, and many Whippet and Greyhound pieces are made custom from your measurements.
Ready to measure? Grab a soft tape, take the four measurements, and compare them with the chart. Then shop the Ready to Wear collection or send your numbers with a custom order. For an overview of every garment type, visit our Italian Greyhound clothes guide.
Sources and Further Reading
- AKC: Italian Greyhound breed profile
- Italian Greyhound Club of America: About the Breed
- AKC: Whippet breed profile
- AKC: Greyhound breed profile
- AKC: Chihuahua breed profile
- AKC: When does my puppy finish growing?
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Puppy growth and maturity
- Skin Cancer Foundation: Sun protective clothing