Home
Italian Greyhound clothes: size and winter jumpsuit

Italian Greyhound clothes: size and winter jumpsuit

In short: the Italian Greyhound is a sighthound in miniature — a deep, narrow chest, a long thin neck, a sharply tucked-up waist and long, lean legs. The chest girth of an adult Italian Greyhound is 35–45 cm, so by the main measurement the breed falls into size M (chest 35–41 cm) or L (chest 40–46 cm). The difficulty is in the proportions: the back is long relative to the chest, so a piece chosen by chest girth often turns out too short, while a piece chosen by back length hangs loose around the chest and the neck opening. That is why our dog clothes size chart by breed recommends made-to-measure for this breed: +15% on the price of the model, 3–6 business days to make. The second thing to plan for is warmth — a short single coat with almost no undercoat and very thin skin with no fat layer, so an Italian Greyhound needs clothes as soon as it gets cool, approximately from +10…+12 °C.

What size does an Italian Greyhound wear

At Feel with Fill the size is set first of all by chest girth: the whole XS–XL range covers 27–51 cm, and the full size chart also gives back length and neck girth for every size. Here is how an adult Italian Greyhound fits that grid.

Chest girth — 35–45 cm. These are the figures from our dog clothes size chart by breed. By chest the breed lands in M (35–41 cm) or L (40–46 cm).
Back length — approximately 33–42 cm. The FCI standard puts the height at withers at 32–38 cm and the body close to square, so back length usually falls into M (31–35 cm), L (36–40 cm) or, in larger dogs, XL (41–45 cm). We mark this figure as approximate: only a tape measure gives the exact number.
Neck girth — approximately 22–28 cm. The neck is long and thin, so by this measurement the dog often fits XS (up to 22 cm) or S (up to 26 cm), while the chest calls for M or L.

If all three measurements of your dog land in the same row of the chart, go ahead and order a standard size. In practice this breed usually looks different: a chest like M, a back like L and a neck like S. A piece taken by chest then stops short of the tail base and leaves the loin bare, while a piece taken by back length hangs around the chest and slips sideways. In that case choose “Custom size” on the product page and we will make the same model to your numbers. In the size chart by breed, the recommendation column for the Italian Greyhound says exactly that — made to measure, because the chest is deep and the waist is narrow.

How to measure an Italian Greyhound

Take a soft tape measure and stand the dog squarely on all four feet on a non-slip surface. Italian Greyhounds dislike standing still for long, so it is easier to measure after a walk, when the dog has settled.
1. Chest girth. At the widest point of the ribcage, just behind the front legs. The chest is deep and narrow, so the tape runs almost vertically — do not pull it tight, leave enough room for a finger to slide under it.
2. Back length. From the base of the neck (the withers) to the base of the tail. Italian Greyhounds often stand with the back arched up — in that pose the measurement comes out shorter than it really is, so wait until the dog straightens, or ask someone to hold the collar.
3. Neck girth. At the base of the neck, where the collar sits; a finger should slide freely under the tape.
Write all three numbers down and compare them with the chart. If they land in different rows, that is normal for this breed, and our manager will advise whether a standard size or made-to-measure works better. A step-by-step guide is on the “How to choose a size” page.

Italian Greyhound build: what it means for the pattern

The Italian Greyhound is a sighthound in miniature, and every measurement shows it. The ribcage is deep, dropping below the elbow, and at the same time narrow; right behind it the tucked-up belly rises sharply — what breed descriptions call a narrow waist. The neck is long and thin, the legs are tall and lean, the skin is thin and mobile, and there is practically no undercoat. Because of this, a pattern cut for a dog of average proportions often will not give the fit you need. What to look at in any garment:

Armhole depth. The piece has to sit so that the deep chest does not press against the seam under the front leg. If it does, the dog shortens its stride and moves stiffly.
Belly line. A narrow waist needs a stronger taper along the bottom edge; otherwise the fabric gathers in folds and rubs the thin skin on the belly.
Neck opening. Too wide and it slides sideways and leaves the chest bare; too tight and it presses on the thin neck. The gap between a neck of “up to 26 cm” and a chest of over 40 cm is exactly why a ready-made piece often looks like it belongs to a different dog.
Garment length. The piece should end at the base of the tail: shorter leaves the loin bare, longer gets in the way of the tail and the hind legs.
Sleeves. The legs are thin, so a wide sleeve gathers and twists while a narrow one will not let the leg through. Dress the dog calmly, one leg at a time, and never pull or twist a joint.

If even one of these points does not work out in a standard size, made-to-measure is the safer route. How it works and what we ask you for is on the “Custom dog clothes” page.

Does an Italian Greyhound need clothes, and from what temperature

Yes, and not only in frost. The coat is short and single-layered, there is practically no undercoat, and a lean body with thin skin holds almost no heat. Approximate thresholds for dressing the dog:

+10…+15 °C — one thin knitted layer: a turtleneck, a longsleeve or a jumper. Indoors too, if the flat feels chilly before the heating comes on.
+5…+10 °C with wind or drizzle — a brushed hoodie or a fleece anorak.
0…+5 °C — a fleece vest, a fleece coat or a fleece jumpsuit.
Below 0 °C — a padded jumpsuit and shorter outings.
Below −10 °C — a jumpsuit with a thin knitted layer underneath, and a walk of 10–15 minutes.

Treat this as a guide, not a rule, and watch the dog. A cold Italian Greyhound shivers, hunches its back, tucks its tail and feet in and turns back towards home. More on which dogs need clothes and in what weather is in “Does my dog need clothes”, and more on layers, road salt and how long a winter walk should be is in “Winter dog clothes”.

What to put on an Italian Greyhound in different weather

Cool, +10…+15 °C. Black dog turtleneck “Charmie” — $27: soft knit that warms the neck and back, and for a breed with such a long neck a high collar is especially welcome. Lighter options are the beige “Waffle” longsleeve ($25; “Waffle” is the model name) or the milk-white jumper with pompoms ($29) in combed cotton.
Wind and drizzle, +5…+10 °C. Anthracite fleece dog anorak — $35: a light outer layer with a water-repellent finish and binding around the zip so the coat does not catch. A warmer alternative is the khaki brushed hoodie “Hugme” ($38), with a natural lining in the hood and sleeves.
Dry cold, 0…+5 °C. Anthracite fleece dog vest — $38: a viscose lining that will not mat the coat, plus a harness opening. Or the tash fleece coat “Gossip-coat” — $66: a fur collar shields the neck from the wind, an adjustable strap sets the fit, and a coat is easier to put on than a jumpsuit.
Frost from 0 to −10 °C. Khaki fleece dog jumpsuit — $52: covers the back, belly and legs, closes with a zip along the back, and a hidden hook-and-loop tab adjusts the neck opening — handy for a thin neck.
Frost below −10 °C and snow. Light-blue dog jumpsuit “Gossip-puffer” — $79: a padded puffer jumpsuit for winter walks, for when a hoodie or a light vest is no longer enough.
Slush, wet snow, road salt. Khaki membrane dog jumpsuit “Heaven” — $71: water-repellent membrane, removable hood and a hidden harness opening.
Rain without frost. The “Brooklyn Jacket” — $52: made of water-repellent raincoat fabric, with a viscose lining, corduroy inserts and a collar opening for the lead. A lighter sleeveless option is the milk-white raincoat-fabric vest “Vivienne” ($45), which shields the dog from wind and cold.
After a walk, a bath or grooming. The pistachio drying robe — $39, in cotton terry: it soaks up the water while the dog dries off, so it does not sit in a damp coat.

Every model listed here comes in standard sizes XS–XL, and each of them can be ordered to your dog's own measurements.

The base layer: turtleneck, longsleeve or hoodie

For an Italian Greyhound a thin knitted layer is not “indoor clothing just in case” but a working part of the wardrobe: it warms the dog through the shoulder seasons and goes under a jumpsuit in frost. Two thin layers hold heat better than one thick one and let the dog move freely, which matters a great deal for a sighthound.

In “Dog jumpers and turtlenecks” the models worth looking at first are the ones with a high collar: the “Charmie” turtleneck ($27) covers the long neck that the dog otherwise pulls down into its shoulders in the wind. The “Waffle” longsleeve ($25) and the jumper with pompoms ($29) are thinner and suit the house and mild autumn days.

“Dog hoodies” covers the warmer options: the brushed “Hugme” hoodie ($38) has a natural lining in the hood and sleeves that hides the seams and keeps claws from snagging while you dress the dog; the “Furry” mink-knit hoodie ($39) stretches well and sits close to a lean body; the plush “Teddy” hoodie ($38) has a hood that fastens with a stud, which helps if you walk in a harness. Do not keep the dog dressed all day indoors: outside an Italian Greyhound gets cold, but in a warm room it overheats quickly in brushed fabric or plush.

The outer layer: vest, coat or jumpsuit

Choosing an outer layer for this breed depends not only on the weather but also on how the dog feels about being dressed. Many Italian Greyhounds get anxious when four thin legs have to go through four sleeves — sleeveless pieces are easier for them.

Vests are a simple way to warm the body without restricting the legs. The fleece vest ($38) suits dry cold; the “Puffy” puffer vest ($46) is made of waterproof fabric with a warm filling, closes with press studs and has a harness opening; the “Vivienne” vest in raincoat fabric ($45) is light protection from wind and cold. Dog coats go on even more easily: the “Gossip-coat” fleece coat ($66) drops over the back and has a fur collar and an adjustable strap.

Jumpsuits are what you need when the belly and legs have to be covered: wet snow, slush and pavements treated with road salt. The breed stands tall on long legs, so dirt and salt from the pavement end up on the belly and loin. The fleece jumpsuit ($52) is warm and does not soak through; the membrane “Heaven” ($71) keeps water out and has a removable hood; the padded “Gossip-puffer” ($79) is built for frost and snow; and the ribbed “Four-Paws Bodysuit” ($50) is two pieces — a bomber on press studs and the jumpsuit itself — so they can be worn separately.

When you want a tidy city look rather than protection, see bombers — the “Teddy” bomber ($45) has a knitted lining that makes it easy to slide a leg through — and jackets, with the “Brooklyn Jacket” ($52) in water-repellent raincoat fabric with corduroy inserts.

What to choose for spring and summer

In the heat an Italian Greyhound needs no clothes at all — a short coat does not trap heat, and thin skin cools better without extra layers. But there are two other reasons to dress the dog in the warm season.

The first is ticks, dust and burrs in tall grass. The light-blue linen duster ($42) is made of 100% linen: light, breathable, it does not overheat the dog, and it adds a barrier against ticks while keeping dust out of the coat in fields and hedgerows. The second is thin skin: in this breed it is very sensitive, so for a long midday walk choose shaded routes, and for pale or pied dogs with unpigmented patches of skin stick to the morning and evening hours.

After a bath, rain or grooming the drying robe ($39) earns its place: terry soaks up the water so the dog is not left sitting in a damp coat in a draught.

Italian Greyhound clothes prices: standard and custom size

The prices below are for standard sizes XS–XL. Made-to-measure adds 15% to the price of the model; we round the total up.

“Waffle” longsleeve — $25, made to measure $29
“Charmie” turtleneck — $27, made to measure $32
Jumper with pompoms — $29, made to measure $34
Fleece anorak — $35, made to measure $41
“Hugme” and “Teddy” hoodies — $38, made to measure $44; “Furry” hoodie — $39, made to measure $45
Fleece vest — $38, made to measure $44
Drying robe — $39, made to measure $45
Linen duster — $42, made to measure $49
“Vivienne” vest — $45; “Teddy” bomber — $45; both $52 made to measure
“Puffy” puffer vest — $46, made to measure $53
“Four-Paws Bodysuit” — $50, made to measure $58
Fleece jumpsuit — $52, made to measure $60; “Brooklyn Jacket” — $52, made to measure $60
“Gossip-coat” fleece coat — $66, made to measure $76
“Heaven” membrane jumpsuit — $71, made to measure $82
“Gossip-puffer” jumpsuit — $79, made to measure $91

We ship worldwide from Ukraine; delivery usually takes 1–2 weeks depending on the country, and the manager confirms the shipping cost before dispatch. Free delivery from UAH 4,000 applies within Ukraine only. Online card payment on the site currently works with Ukrainian cards, so for an international order the manager agrees the payment method with you. Details are on the “Shipping & Payment” page.

How to order Italian Greyhound clothes made to measure

On the page of the model you want, choose “Custom size” and place the order — a manager will contact you to confirm three measurements: chest girth, back length and neck girth. For this breed it is worth saying straight away that the dog is an Italian Greyhound: we allow for a deeper armhole, a stronger taper along the belly line and a narrower neck opening.

Everything is sewn in our own Feel with Fill workshop in Kyiv; the brand has been working since 2023. Production takes 3–6 business days from payment, and if the piece is in stock in your size we ship sooner. Please note: items made to your measurements or in a non-standard colour cannot be exchanged or returned, so take the measurements carefully, and if you are unsure, send the manager a photo of the dog standing squarely. Standard-size items can be exchanged or returned within 14 days of delivery; the conditions are on the “Exchange & Returns” page.

Clothes for an Italian Greyhound puppy

An Italian Greyhound puppy grows especially fast in the first months and finishes developing closer to a year, and in that time it can move through several sizes of our grid. So buy a standard size to today's measurements, with no room to grow: in an oversized piece the puppy gets tangled, and the fabric neither sits nor warms. Re-measure the chest every 2–3 weeks and leave made-to-measure until the dog has finished growing.

Start with thin knitwear indoors for a few minutes so the puppy gets used to the feel of fabric, and only then go outside in it. More advice is in “Puppy clothes”. If you are looking at small breeds in general, see small dog clothes.

How to wash and care for the clothes

Knitwear, brushed fabric and plush — a delicate wash up to 30 °C, inside out, no bleach; dry flat and do not hang the piece over an edge, or it will stretch. Fleece — up to 30 °C with no fabric softener, which spoils the properties of fleece; dry naturally, not on a radiator. Membrane and raincoat fabric (“Heaven”, “Vivienne”, “Brooklyn Jacket”) — a liquid detergent without softener, a delicate cycle and the lowest spin; do not iron and do not tumble dry. The puffer vest and “Gossip-puffer” — a delicate cycle at low spin, dried flat and shaken out now and then so the filling does not clump. Linen can be washed up to 30–40 °C. Wash the terry robe before you first use it: it becomes softer and absorbs water better.

Before washing, close all zips, studs and hook-and-loop tabs and brush the coat off with a brush or a lint roller. Choose a mild detergent without a strong scent. The full guide is on the “How to wash and care for dog clothes” page.

FAQ

What size clothes does an Italian Greyhound wear?
By a chest girth of 35–45 cm, size M (35–41 cm) or L (40–46 cm). But the back is long relative to the chest (approximately 33–42 cm) and the neck is thin (approximately 22–28 cm), so the measurements often land in different rows of the chart. When they do, choose “Custom size”.

Why do standard clothes fit an Italian Greyhound badly?
Because of the proportions: a deep narrow chest, a sharply tucked-up belly, a long thin neck and a long body. A piece chosen by chest girth comes out short and leaves the loin bare, while a piece chosen by back length hangs around the chest and slips sideways. Made-to-measure solves both problems at once.

Do Italian Greyhounds get cold, and when should I dress mine?
The coat is short and single-layered with practically no undercoat, so clothes are needed as soon as it gets cool — approximately from +10…+12 °C. In frost, add a thin knitted layer under the jumpsuit and keep the walk short.

Which winter jumpsuit should I choose for an Italian Greyhound?
For dry frost, the padded “Gossip-puffer” ($79) or the fleece jumpsuit ($52) with an adjustable neck opening. For slush, wet snow and road salt, the membrane “Heaven” ($71) with a removable hood and a hidden harness opening.

How much do made-to-measure Italian Greyhound clothes cost?
15% more than the standard size, rounded up. For example, the fleece anorak is $41 instead of $35, the “Puffy” puffer vest $53 instead of $46 and the fleece jumpsuit $60 instead of $52. Production takes 3–6 business days from payment.

Can I return clothes that do not fit my Italian Greyhound?
A standard-size item, yes, within 14 days of delivery; return postage is paid by the customer, or by us in case of a fault or the wrong item. Items made to measure or in a non-standard colour cannot be exchanged or returned. The conditions are on the “Exchange & Returns” page.

What should an Italian Greyhound wear indoors?
Thin knitwear: the “Charmie” turtleneck, the “Waffle” longsleeve or the jumper with pompoms. One layer is enough indoors, and take it off once the room warms up — in plush or brushed fabric the dog overheats quickly.