Italian Greyhound

Bella (brown colour) and Bimba (blue colour) are energetic Italian Greyhounds, and are just over two years old.

Stephanie and Kim their devoted owners, have detailed some of B&B (Bella and Bimba's) most favorite things:

Bella and Bimba are rather withdrawn and aside from close family they have very few human friends except for their very favorite friend, Beccy (Paws On Paths), who looks after their health and happiness on every week day and their trainer, Rie.

Bella and Bimba are sisters. Bella was the dominant animal in the litter and it has remained that way, on the surface. Bimba is smarter than Bella and gets her way by the use of a strategic cringe. Like all sisters they fight – sometimes you expect them to be absolutely mauled but there is never a mark. They wrestle with each other up on their back legs – apparently (according to one expert) they know some really good moves.

They love to run and are very fast, they are very busy and bouncy but they are also lap dogs. As soon as there is a person on a bed or a sofa Bella and Bimba are there too, all snuggled up.

Bella and Bimba are very fond of possums, cats and birds and would dearly like to have a closer association with any or all of them. They have given up trying to insert their way into a closer association with the possum (Blossom) who lives behind the air conditioner on our balcony because it was just too much trouble.

Bella is very partial to cheese. It is acceptable if offered freely but seems to taste better if stolen. She has been “snapped” with a very large piece of “Stormy” in her mouth. Bimba likes cheese as well but has higher principles than Bella, or may not like cheese quite as much.

Apart from cheese, grapes, figs and mushrooms Bella and Bimba have not been introduced to the indulgences of life. Their very favorite food (apart from cheese) is chicken necks, closely followed by pigs' ears.

Water is nice to drink, but awful in every other way which includes most particularly being rained on, being washed, and being sprayed by the abominable squirty bottle, used by humans as a control device for bouncing.

Jumping and Bouncing

Bella is the principal jumper and bouncer but Bimba can jump just as high. Wonderful sight to see B&B jumping at the window from a sitting start, ears flying while they taunt the resident garden possum (not Blossom, who is the resident balcony possum) while he flaunts himself in front of them and frolics on the bird feeder or on the side of the gum tree where he is totally visible to the slavering beasts behind the window!

Bella uses bouncing as a way of saying hello. It is particularly effective if used behind the knees of an unsuspecting human. Also great fun to bounce at the back of knees of human trying to negotiate going down the stairs – B&B are both very good at this sport.

Bella and Bimba are small and dainty and have very fine coats so they get cold in winter. They have a largish wardrobe of jumpers and coats and stay very still and compliant while just about anything is pulled over their heads or buttoned up around their middles. They aren't very fond of their American raincoats though – which have legs and hoods and make very funny noises. When they are wearing their raincoats they look like small beetles all humped up and miserable.

There is a myth that sight hounds can't be trained. Of course that's not true, or rather it isn't true when they are with Rie, their trainer. With us, their family we receive instant obedience if B&B think it's a good idea. However, they can be persuaded quite quickly now that they have had Rie's influence. To find out more about Rie's training services, please click here to visit our 'Products and Services' page.

Paws On Paths says:

Bella likes to think that she is at the center of Paws On Paths functions and day to day operations. We love her, so we continue to let her believe this. Bimba is more of a go with the flow type of gal, and is happy to blend in with the dog park crowd and occasionally follows her sisters out-going ways.

Bella and Bimba are a credit to Stephanie and Kim. All their hard work, love, patience and care has developed two of the most beautiful animals on this planet. Both girls are loving, intelligent, loyal, sensitive, playful, well socalised, affectionate and very very fast on their tiny feet!

Bella is currently making her move up, to the top of the 'pack' in the Paws On Paths family. She is carefully plotting each crucial move to see herself as Queen of the local dog park. She will soon reap her rewards, unknown to those who she will rule! She is a complex and dynamic little girl, who has a heart of gold. Bella is extremely loyal. You could count her (dog) friends on one hand. She is brave like a lion, although she can be as timid as a mouse.

Bimba is more of the quiet achiever. She often follows her sister's energetic efforts, in play and group dynamics. Although, she often looks as though she feels she is out of her element - and gives up to return to sniffing, or to find comfort and security at the feet of her owner or dog walker. She has a broader span of (dog) friends, than her sister. She has a particular 'thing' for Jack Russell's. And she will actually flirt with them, and then run away. Bimba has perfected the art, of warming the heart of those who she loves - with overwhelming affection and paw strokes.

Together, B&B are quite the sight. People will stand, watch and marvel at the speed of the tiny and dainty Italian Greyhounds. They are truly unique dogs. We love and adore them. B&B are a constant source of amusement, love, fun and laughs.

Italian Greyhound Breeder Information:

Bella and Bimba were bred by:

(Italian Greyhound Society of NSW, Secretary:) Mrs Barbara Skilton
66 Stony Creek Road
Shanes Park, NSW, 2760
Phone: (02) 9628 7026

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Meet Bella and Bimba