The animal on the cover of Universal Design for Web Applications is an Italian greyhound, the smallest of the family of gazehounds (sighthounds). Believed to originate more than 2,000 years ago in the Mediterranean basin, Italian greyhounds are sleek, active toy dogs that stand approximately 12–15 inches tall and weigh 7–11 pounds. Often referred to as a miniature greyhound, the Italian greyhound shares many characteristics with its larger cousin, including a tucked-in abdomen, an arched back, and a fine, silky coat in shades of gray, cream, red, fawn, brown, black, or brindle.
The dog’s affectionate and gentle temperament makes it a popular pet today; its extremely short, odorless coat makes it a good option for people with allergies or other pet sensitivities. It is an intelligent and loyal companion. Though it does not require as much exercise as larger breeds and can be quite happy as an apartment dog, an Italian greyhound should have regular walks and light play sessions. It may refuse to go outside if it is raining or too cold for its short hair and small stature, so some owners have successfully litter-trained their Italian greyhounds.
A favorite with Italians of the 16th century (a fact which gives the breed its name), Italian greyhounds were among the many miniature dogs in high demand at the time. They are featured in Renaissance paintings by prominent artists such as Carpaccio, Van der Weyden, and Bosch. The dogs have also been popular with royal families throughout history, including England’s James I, Catherine the Great, and Queen Victoria. In the mid-1800s, an Italian greyhound became America’s “first pet” when President John Tyler bought his wife a puppy they named “Le Beau.”
The cover image is from Cassell’s Natural History. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont’s TheSansMonoCondensed.