Origins of a gazehound

Sophia and I went for an hour-long walk in Lincoln Park yesterday. We took the Bluff Trail and then went down and walked along the beach. Lots of people out! It was sunny and a nice 50 degrees.

So, now some education for today!

According to the breed standard info in “The Complete Dog Book,” which is an official publication of the AKC: The Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the family of gazehounds (dogs that hunt by sight). The breed is believed to have originated more than 2,000 years ago in the Mediterranean basin, possibly in the countries now known as Greece and Turkey. This belief is based on the depiction of miniature Greyhounds in the early decorative arts of these countries and on the archaeological discoveries of small Greyhound skeletons…. [The breed] was a favorite of the Italians of the 16th century with whom miniature dogs were much in demand. Thus they became known as ‘Italian Greyhounds.’… There is some difference of opinion as to whether he was originally bred for hunting small game or was meant to be simply a pet and companion. It seems most likely that he filled both roles.”

I read that the Benedictine monks bred IGs as companions for their body warmth. The normal body temperature of an IG is 102.3 degrees. Monks supposedly kept them on their laps, under their robes, during the winter. I would assume also in their bed at night. Sophia sleeps under the covers with me and would otherwise be too cold. (She also has a heating pad in her bed during the day so I can turn the furnace back down). I have to say, she makes a big difference in my own comfort at night, and otherwise. It was cold in those monasteries! I can understand this logic. They also make great watch dogs - back in those politically religious and dangerous times, no one would be able to sneak up on you. You probably lived longer.