Italian Greyhound Clothes Guide › Why Italian Greyhounds Are So Hard to Fit
From Houndz in the Hood, based on the fitting notes of founder Terri Goodwillie, who has made clothes for Italian Greyhounds in New York City since 1999. Updated October 2026.
Short answer: an Italian Greyhound’s chest is much bigger than its waist and its legs are long and thin, so clothes sized for an “average” small dog either choke the chest, hang off the waist or leave the legs bare. Clothes cut to the breed’s shape fit far better.
The Iggy shape
- A deep chest and a high tuck. The chest is large and the waist curves up sharply behind it.
- Chest bigger than length. Most adult Italian Greyhounds have a chest 2 to 2.5 inches larger than their back length, the opposite of many small breeds.
- Long, thin legs that are hard to keep warm and easy to rub.
- A slim neck that a loose collar opening slides off.
What goes wrong with generic sizes
Generic S/M/L clothes are sized by back length alone. On an Iggy that usually means a size that fits the chest is far too long and loose at the waist, or a size that fits the length won’t close over the chest. Back-only coats also leave the chest and legs uncovered.
How breed-fitted clothes are made
Our founder took her first Italian Greyhound’s length, girth, neck and leg measurements to a costume designer friend in 1998, and the first Bodysuit was built around them. Today every Italian Greyhound pattern starts from AKC breed measurements and is refined after real fittings, the way a dressmaker fits a client. Within one breed, dogs share a shape but not a size, which is why the line comes in sizes 14, 16 and 18.
Not an Italian Greyhound? The same line fits many dogs with a deep chest, long legs and a high tuck, including Chinese Cresteds, Manchester Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Basenjis, Rat Terriers, Xolos and many mixes.
Next step: learn how to measure your Italian Greyhound.
Ready to find your Iggy’s fit?
Browse all Italian Greyhound clothes, check the Italian Greyhound sizing guide, or send us your dog’s measurements and we’ll help you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't normal dog clothes fit my Italian Greyhound?
Most dog clothes are sized by back length only. Italian Greyhounds have a chest 2 to 2.5 inches larger than their length, a tiny waist and long legs, so generic sizes gap at the waist or won't close over the chest.
What other breeds fit Italian Greyhound clothes?
Dogs with a deep chest, long legs and a high tuck often fit, including Chinese Cresteds, Manchester Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Basenjis, Rat Terriers and Xolos. Compare your dog's measurements with the size chart.