Overview
The Levriero Sardo is the greyhound of Sardinia, a working sighthound kept by hunters and shepherds on the island for centuries and only recently given attention as a breed in its own right. It is lighter and rougher-cut than a track Greyhound, usually smooth-coated, and still very much a rural working animal rather than a pet type. Finding one in Britain is unusual.
Like all sighthounds it is calm indoors, undemanding in company and transformed the moment something runs. Expect a sweet, quiet dog on the lead and a completely different one if a hare breaks cover.
Exercise and walking needs
Sighthounds do not need long walks so much as room to stretch out. An hour a day in two outings, with one safe chance to sprint flat out, suits the type well. The rest of the time they are happy to trot along and look at the view.
Thin skin and a thin coat mean the dog feels cold and wet keenly. In winter a coat is sensible, and in muddy months check the legs for nicks and thorn scratches.
On the walk
- Chase: Anything small and fast triggers it, including cats and small dogs in the distance. Keep the lead on anywhere the dog could reach a road or livestock.
- Recall: Reasonable when nothing is moving, irrelevant when something is. Free running belongs in a fenced field.
- Other dogs: Generally gentle and uninterested in rough play. Good with other sighthounds; careful with very small breeds that might be read as prey.
- Lead: Light on the lead until a lunge, which can be sudden and strong. A well-fitted sighthound harness or martingale is far safer than a flat collar.
Tips for professional walkers
- Find an enclosed sighthound-safe field and give the dog a proper run once or twice a week.
- Carry a coat for the dog in cold or wet weather and check for shivering.
- Keep both hands free of distractions when passing hedgerows and long grass.
- After a sprint, let the dog cool down slowly before loading it into a van.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog been worked or hunted, and how strong is its chase instinct?
- Is there a secure field you use, and how does the dog cope with other dogs there?
- Does the dog wear a coat, and does it need one on a typical British winter walk?