Italian Greyhuahua Basics
The sweet-natured Italian Greyhuahua is a blend of the spunky Chihuahua and the meek little Italian Greyhound. He is a wonderful family dog who is highly loyal to his human pack, friendly with other pets and timid around strangers – so no watchdog here!
The Italian Greyhuahua blends the spunky Chihuahua with the Italian Greyhound for a fun family dog.
Origin
The Italian Greyhuahua is the result of mating two pure-bred dogs to produce what is called a Designer Dog. This process originated in the 1980’s and was intended to produce smaller, hypo-allergenic or simply a more social version of a popular dog breed.
Pedigree
The Italian Greyhuahua is not a purebred dog and while he doesn’t qualify to be an American Kennel Club (AKC) member, both parent breeds do; the Chihuahua joined the club’s “toy” group in 1904 and in 1886 the Italian Greyhound also joined the “toy” group.
Food / Diet
The Italian Greyhuahua is a small dog and in spite of his “racing” lineage he isn’t a very active pooch so seek out a top-quality kibble that is specifically geared to his age, size and activity level. Plan to feed him 2-3 smaller meals throughout the day and look for a brand that is low in fillers (grains and carbs) that may cause him to over-eat to feel full.
Italian Greyhuahuas are wonderful family dogs that are highly loyal to their human pack.
Training
The Italian Greyhuahua is a timid, sensitive dog so training must always be patient and rewards-based so as not to frighten and cause him to shut down. He is a smart boy and a firm, consistent approach should net you the results you’re seeking fairly quickly.
Weight
Your Italian Greyhuahua will weigh between 6–18 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
Italian Greyhuahuas are a timid dog and while playful and relaxed around his family, he can become quite submissive around strangers. They are devoted to their owners, highly loyal to all members of their human pack and get along well with children and other pets. A curious pooch, they need mental stimulation to keep them out of mischief.
Common Health Problems
Typically a Designer Dog side-steps many of the health issues of his pure-bred parents however it’s important to know what your little pup can inherit. For the Italian Greyhuahua, he can be prone to patellar luxation, joint issues as well as shivering, heart and eye problems.
Life Expectancy
The Italian Greyhuahua has a life expectancy of 13 to 16 years.
Exercise Requirements
The pint-sized Italian Greyhuahua loves to run versus go on marathon walk so off-leash dog parks where he can race around and stretch his legs is ideal. Because he can get bored and become destructive, mental stimulation is important and this can be met by the right exercise routine as well as puzzle toys to keep him “busy”.
Italian Greyhuahuas are curious, playful yet timid family dogs.
Recognized Clubs
Also known as a Greyhuahua and Italian Chihuahua, the Italian Greyhuahua is recognized by the the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC).
Coat
The Italian Greyhuahua has a short- to medium-length coat that is soft, fine and silky. He is considered a minimal shedding dog and requires brushing just 2 to 3 times per week. Because he is highly sensitive to the cold, he will need a warm jacket once temperatures start to drop. Regular ear inspection and a quick clean is important to prevent buildup of debris and infections.
Puppies
Italian Greyhuahua puppies are naturally timid so early, gentle socialization is important to bring out the best in this dog. While human interaction will be key to raising this great family dog, their tiny joints and legs can be easily damaged if not handled properly. Similarly, don’t over-do the exercise as injury when he is young can present as serious bones and joint issues in later life.
Photo credit: xujun/Shutterstock; Jes Abeita/Shutterstock; Melissa Bouyounan/Shutterstock
