Skip to main content

How to find a meetup group for your Italian greyhound

Nearly every dog can benefit from some socialization and playtime with other pups, especially Italian greyhounds and those who like to run. They’ll learn how to play nice and when to back off from other pups, and you’ll learn more about the breed and the folks who love to love them.

Iggy dogs are popular hounds both in the U.S. and worldwide, but it may be harder than you thought to find other greyhounds for your dog to hang out with. Trips to the dog park are sure to result in friends, but getting to know their own breed can give your pup some extra confidence and companionship — but how can you get started?

Recommended Videos

Meetup.com

This helpful site is exactly what it sounds like: a place where you can find or create meetup groups for nearly anything. Of course, Italian greyhounds are no exception— there are so many passionate Iggy owners and advocates who want to connect with other pet aficionados, so what are you waiting for?

To use Meetup, simply enter “Italian greyhound” in the keyword search bar and add your location when prompted. There are events and groups to browse through, so you can find whatever suits your needs. This site even lets you view the number of members in each group, so you can know ahead of time what you’re signing up for.

Once on a group’s page, you can view their information, events, members, photos, discussion forums, message boards, and even polls. With so many features, it’s easy to get to know a group before committing to a meetup. It’s important to be safe, after all!

Check out the Italian greyhound topics page on Meetup to get started.

an italian greyhound jumps while running through tall grass
alekta/Shutterstock

Facebook groups

Whether or not a group is on Meetup, they’re likely to have at least a minimal Facebook presence. Facebook has been a popular social networking site for over a decade (can you believe it’s been live since 2004?), so it’s chock-full of folks who share common interests just waiting to be connected.

That’s where Facebook’s Groups feature comes in. With a quick search, you can pull up dozens of Italian greyhound groups just waiting for you to join. Some are groups of people who share pictures and questions with other Iggy owners, while others are at least somewhat dedicated to scheduling meetups. Some of the largest groups include Italian Greyhound Owners, Italian Greyhounds (for Iggy owners and lovers alike), and Greyhound Puppies.

You can also search through Facebook Events to find meetups to attend. Events can be listed publicly, though, so you never know who might show up. Do keep this in mind when agreeing to a meetup; public spaces like dog parks are always a safe place to meet, and your pup will love the experience of meeting new friends.

American Kennel Club event search

If you ever find yourself browsing the American Kennel Club website, you may have noticed a small button titled “event search” at the very top of the page. A click on this button will bring you to a webpage with a U.S. map and several search bars to help you find the perfect group for you.

You can search by location, breed, date range (for events and meetups), or even judges’ numbers (for competition-based events). These events are mostly athletic competitions and other official events, so this may not be the best resource if you’re just looking for an Iggy buddy for your pup. If you’re searching for somewhere to train or compete, however, you’re in the right place!

an italian greyhound lies on a bed with their nose toward the camera
sergio souza/Pexels

Your local pet store

One overlooked resource is hiding in plain sight, somewhere you’ll probably find yourself anyway: the pet store. While you’re out shopping for your dog’s next favorite toy, take a glance at the community board to see what groups and events might be out there. When you take advantage of this method, you know you’re finding meetups in your area, too — with any luck, close to home!

Alternatively, you might have better luck leaving your own request on the message board. You don’t have to go as far as to start your own group, but you can easily leave a Facebook URL or other contact info to help gather other Iggies for your own to play with.

In the end, it’s important to go with your gut and keep yourself and your pup safe when dealing with strangers. In general, dogs know good people when they meet them, but you never know! With the right precautions, though, you could meet your pup’s new best friend — or even your own. Have fun with your new buddies!

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Did dogs evolve from wolves? The fascinating history behind your beloved pet
There's a reason your sweet pup no longer resembles their ferocious cousin
A wolf in the forest surrounded by colorful leaves

When you look into the eyes of your best furry friend, obediently waiting for their treat, it can shock you to remember that these beasties came from wild wolves. Once you start to dive into the history of canines, you uncover a fascinating series of events, complete with twists and turns.

Over the course of thousands of years, we've domesticated these animals (or possibly they domesticated themselves) until they turned into the pup pups who live alongside of us now. But the question remains, "Did dogs evolve from wolves?" We'll walk you through their evolution and what it means for your pet today.
Did dogs evolve from wolves?

Read more
What dogs have webbed feet? These breeds were made for swimming
Do all dogs have webbed feet? How to tell if a dog is built for swimming
Senior golden retriever standing in lake water

As the days become warmer and longer, more and more public beaches are open for the season. Families, couples, and even dogs enjoy visiting local shorelines, but some dog owners are surprised to see how easily their furry friends take to the water. Not all dogs love swimming or even getting near the water, but others are quite literally bred to swim and work on the shore. These unique and varied dog breeds even have webbed feet!
But how can you know what dogs have webbed feet? Let's dive into the breeds that are built for swimming. This group is more diverse than you may have guessed, but no matter how different they are, they share one special physical trait in common. They can take to the water like pros, from the top of their heads to the bottom of their webbed feet.

Do all dogs have webbed feet?

Read more
Do dogs have belly buttons? The answer may surprise you
Your dog's belly button will be hard to spot, but we promise that it's there
A corgi lies on her back on a pink bed inside a metal crate

You may find yourself rubbing your dog's tummy one day and wondering, "Do dogs have belly buttons?" It's true that you won't see anything like our navel on your pup, but that doesn't mean the belly button isn't there. In fact, all placental mammals have belly buttons (meaning you won't find them on a kangaroo or a platypus), and that includes our puppers. While in day-to-day life you don't need to think much about your dog's belly button, you should have some idea of where it is and what it's supposed to look like in case something ever goes wrong down the line.
What does a dog's belly button look like?

When a wolf gives birth to a litter of puppies in the wild, she chews the cords off shortly after delivery. Usually when our pets have babies, a vet or experienced breeder will cut them and give the newborns a quick check-up before returning to mom to nurse (of course, some dogs take care of this themselves, too). A few days later, the remainder will just shrivel up and fall off on its own. Behind this, they'll have a permanent flat scar, which generally causes no harm or discomfort (we'll cover later when it's an issue).

Read more