Boston Iggy

The Boston Iggy information is sparse but they are a perfect balance between the Italian Greyhound and the Boston Terrier. Although it is a rare breed, it is set to become popular with owners who are living in apartments or smaller housing units. While their history is vague, we can look to the parent dogs for an indication of what the Boston Iggy has inherited. Boston Terriers were bred down from the pit-fighting bull and terrier type dogs. They originated in Boston, Massachusetts and were a cross between the English Bulldog and the now extinct English White Terrier which began around 1865. After several offspring interbreeding’s the breed become popular in Boston in 1889. It was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1893. Terrier only in name, the Boston Terrier is far removed from the pit fighting dogs of the past. The Italian Greyhound is a rather ancient breed, with 6000-year-old Egyptian tombs depicting dogs like the Italian Greyhound. They are also honoured on decorative Mediterranean art of 2000 years ago. These dogs, with their fine noble looks, became popular with noblemen during the Renaissance. A small Greyhound type of dog was found in the city of Pompeii after the horrific lava flows ruined and partially buried the Roman city near modern Naples. During the 16 Century, the Italian Greyhound ancestors were brought to Europe by the Phoenician civilization where it became popular with the European nobility. Catherine the Great of Russia and Queen Victoria both owned Italian Greyhounds. Frederick the Great of Prussia took one of these little dogs to war with him, and he buried the dog himself when it died at Sans Souci. Fredericks family fulfilled his wish to be buried with his little Italian Greyhound. Even into the 19th Century, this little dog continued to win hearts, as demonstrated when an African chieftain liked the dogs so much he offered 200 cattle in exchange for a single Italian Greyhound. This breed was recognised by the AKC in 1886.