The story of the formation of the breed club is fascinating for most of us and as a lot of things have happened in the past 106 years. It is therefore best told in sections….let us begin at the beginning…… 

Dog shows as we know them today are - on the surface at least - very different from those organised when the sport became ‘recognised’ in the late 1800’s.  Introduction of the railway system made freedom to travel accessible for all classes. Thus, the already competitive sport in taverns up and down the land where the men folk could be seen sampling the local ale and comparing their favourite dogs was much more accessible.  

Gamekeepers and their often titled landlords and employers were also regularly in competition. The various large estates once so much part of the landscape were proud to show off their animals.   When the new transport system began to snake its way across the countryside this coincided with the view of a number of ladies that they too could if they wished exhibit their favourites, though in some cases it was common to send the animals unaccompanied and the show stewards attended to them throughout the show. 

It is thanks to one particular gamekeeper, Richard Brailsford and his employer Earl Howe, that in November 1859 the oldest dog show society began known as Birmingham Dog Show Society  only preceded by the Newcastle Sporting Dog show in the July though this society did not continue. Only sporting dogs were entered at this time. 

By their next show, however, in December 1860, the world was their oyster and a number of breeds were included, some of them toy breeds - to be judged by Mr. J H Walsh - known often by his pseudonym ‘Stonehenge’. Class XXXIX was for Italian Greyhounds and two were entered, both owned and bred by Mr. Henry Gowan from London. At that time it was usual to put a price against the dogs and these were both valued at £52.10s.  Quite a lot of money at the time. The Illustrated News 1860 used a picture of an Italian Greyhound complete with beribboned coat when reporting the show. 

In 1873, the Kennel Club was formed, as the governing body of the sport and because of the formation of the Stud Book [covering 1859-1874], early records are available. 

Miss Henrietta Maria Mackenzie was among those regularly found at the shows with her Italian Greyhounds, in her younger days she was an opera singer. Evidently, she was very fond of using her umbrella to indicate, in a rather definite way, her opinions. The long skirts of the ladies sweeping the saw dusted floor of the various venues is rather different from today when trouser suits are more common. 

We are very fortunate that a lady called Mrs. Bessie Florence Scarlet , whose first Italian Greyhound came from Victor Hugo, wrote meticulously in her own hand about her life and that of the dogs and owners of the period and it was she who was to become the first Secretary of the Breed Club in 1900. 

The idea had been supported earlier by such illustrious owners as Lord Abinger and his mother Lady Helen Abinger, Marchioness Beatrix of Waterford, Baroness Campbell von Laurentz,Mr. H D Wood, Sir Musgrave Horton Brisco and Lady Brisco.  A meeting of those interested took place in February 1900.  

It was soon agreed that the proposed club adopt the Italian colours - red, white and green for the decoration of their dogs and cushions when exhibiting.  The modern day exhibitor rarely decorates their show benches but up until about 20 years ago it was still usual to do this.  

As the exhibition and ownership of Italian Greyhounds became more popular, those on the show bench began to get smaller and smaller and some of their many qualities were lost.  Other breeds, like the Pekingese and Pug began to usurp them in the drawing room.  

Some families had been proud to record that they had owned the breed for generations and did not want to see them lost. 

The formation of the breed club was, I consider, probably its salvation, as in April 1900 the dog press noted that the entries in classes at shows were extremely good due, it was thought, to the prospect of a club for the breed.  

By June the prospective club committee had installed Mrs. Scarlett as their Secretary and had, after much consideration, drawn up a scale of points allowing for both large and small dogs - one class for seven pounds and under and another for 7-11 lbs. Thus sound animals of both sizes could be used for breeding and a combination of the two would preserve their soundness and type, as is still the case today; and the future of this delightful breed would be assured.

The application for the registration of title of the Italian Greyhound Club was granted, and ordered to be registered at a meeting, of the Kennel Committee of the Kennel Club, held on Tuesday 3rd July 1900.  The Italian Greyhound Club was formed