Chihuahua Greyhound Mix, also known as Italian Chihuahua and Greyhuahua, is a hybrid of Chihuahua and Italian Greyhound. They are packed with energy and are considered unique due to their striking characteristics. They make great companion dogs. Still, they can be stubborn and need to be socialized early.
Color: Caramel, chocolate, black, salt and pepper, gray, silver, white, blue, tan, red liver, pied, brindle, sable, merle, spotted, speckled.
Barking Level: Medium
Shedding Level: Low to medium
Hypoallergenic: Maybe (Chihuahua: Non-hypoallergenic/ Italian Greyhound: Hypoallergenic)
Energy: Medium to high
Activities: Companion dogs, hunter in small games
Litter size: 3 – 7 puppies
Life span: 13 – 16 years
Other names: Greyhuahua, Italian Chihuahua
Breed Recognition: The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).
Chihuahua vs. Greyhound: A Comparison
Features
Chihuahua
Greyhound
Image
Origin
Mexico
Italy
Height
6 – 9 inches
13-15 inches
Weight
3 – 6 pounds
5 – 14 pounds
Size
Small
Small
Group
Companion dogs
Toy Companion
Family-friendly
High
High
Kid-friendly
High
High
Pet-friendly
Low to medium
Medium to high
Barking level
Medium
Medium
Shedding level
Low to medium
Low to medium
Hypoallergenic
No
Yes
Grooming needs
High
Medium
Overall health
Low to medium
Medium
Energy
Medium
Medium to high
Exercise needs
Low
Medium to high
Trainability
Medium
Medium to high
Complication in breeding
No
Medium
Activities
Watchdogs, companion dogs
Companionship
Litter size
1 – 3 puppies
4 – 8
Life span
10-18 years
14 to 15 years
Other names
–
Italian sighthounds, Iggy
Chihuahua Greyhound Mix Personality
Chihuahua Greyhound Mix is a small dog that is 10 to 14 inches tall and weighs around 8 to 15 pounds. They have a medium coat with short fur like the Chihuahuas. Their varied coat colors are:
The Italian Chihuahuas have a round head, long body, rabbit feet, and skinny legs. Their eyes are brown, noses are black or brown, and their ears are upright and triangular. Their snout is either black or brown. They have tapered and a long tail.
Friendliness Overview
Affectionate
Medium to high
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
High
Pet-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good for new owners
Medium to high
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold tolerance
Low
Hot tolerance
Medium
Chihuahua Greyhound Mix Temperament
Greyhound Chihuahua Mix is a breed that likes being independent yet loyal and affectionate to the family. They are agile and have barking tendencies due to the Chihuahua gene pool. They are highly family-friendly and kid-friendly. However, they become either shy or defensive when they see or meet a stranger. They can do well in apartments and are good with new owners. Remember that they suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for a longer time.
Chihuahua Greyhound Mix Training
Chihuahua and Greyhound Mix are intelligent breeds. However, they are challenging to train due to their Chihuahua gene pool.
The first training they need while you breed them home is housetraining. Use puppy pads if accidents occur and do not punish them. Instead, housetrain your Greyhuahuas as early as puppyhood.
Greyhound and Chihuahua Mix is an energetic dog breed. However, they do not require high exercise like giant dogs. Morning and evening stroll with some mental and physical activities will suffice their exercise needs.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
Medium to high
Intensity
Low to medium
Exercise needs
Low to medium
Playfulness
Medium to high
Chihuahua Greyhound Mix Grooming
Chihuahuas mixed with Greyhounds require low maintenance. You will need a slicker brush to comb them frequently. Bathe your Greyhuahua puppy when needed. Ensure that his coat and fur are dry. Do take care of their teeth and ears. Brushing teeth can keep away tartar buildup and other gum diseases. There might not be much debris to harm your puppy, but cleaning ears is suggested. Also, remember to clip their nails regularly.
Italian Greyhuahuas are healthier breeds than their purebred parents. Still, they are susceptible to a few health issues:
Patellar Luxation: When the dog’s patella (kneecap), which typically lies in the cleft of the femur (thighbone), slips out of position, it is known as luxating patella. If the patella luxates, your dog may feel periodic hind limb “skipping,” lameness, or locking up the leg at an abnormal angle.
Tracheal Collapse: Tracheal collapse is a gradual respiratory disease caused by the collapse of such tissue tracheal rings. This is common in small breeds like Chihuahuas and their mixed breeds. As the windpipe contracts, it might create breathing issues in your dog. A severe dry cough may emerge as a result of this. The reason for the tracheal collapse in dogs is usually unknown.
Molera is a gap between the frontal and parietal bones in a dog’s cranium vertebrae that hasn’t merged. Most puppies are born with an unfinished skull, known as molera. It’s located a few inches above the nose, at the upper edge of the cranium.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A cardiac abnormality known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs once the ductus arteriosus fails to seal properly at birth.
Eye Diseases: Italian Greyhuahuas can be prone to these eye diseases:
Corneal damage
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Eyelid mass
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Cherry eye
Entropion
Cataracts: As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow gradually. Cataracts may develop at any age and often don’t damage vision, although in some cases, they cause vision loss. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist certifies the breeding dogs after testing them free of hereditary eye disease before breeding. Usually, you can remove cataracts surgically with good results.
Lens Luxation: This condition dislocates the dog’s eye lens from its correct position resulting in eyesight problems, swelling or reddening, and trembling of the lens or iris.
Hypoglycemia: Anorexia, excessive tiredness, poor coordination, shaking, muscular twitching, fatigue, convulsions, and skin and gum discoloration are all symptoms of hypoglycemia. When dogs are in low sugar shock, they will usually refuse to eat or drink.
Hip Dysplasia is a disorder that affects dogs during their growing phase. It causes the hip joint to relax, resulting in discomfort and dysfunction. In addition, the cartilage and bones in the dog’s hip start to wear away as he develops. This leads to arthritis, muscular atrophy, and decreased mobility over time.
Dental Issues: Dental issues like bleeding gums, gum inflammation, tartar buildup, bad breath, cavities are common in Chihuahuas and their mixed breeds. Regularly brushing their teeth can prevent oral infections, gum diseases, and other dental problems.
Health Overview
Overall health
Low to medium
Weight gaining tendencies
Low to medium
Size
Small
Chihuahua Greyhound Mix Diet and Nutrition
Italian Greyhuahua needs food that is low in calories and high in protein. It must comprise a chicken meal with proper nutritional division. As this breed is small, they will not have food intake similar to giant dog breeds. Usually, they need a cup of dog food daily. Consult a vet before getting an Italian Greyhuahua puppy for a general dietary plan. After getting your puppy, the first task should be consulting a vet about the puppy’s height, weight, and medical issues to determine the exact diet plan.
Italian Greyhuahua is lovable and eager to please its owner. They dwell in apartments and get along with kids very well. These puppies need extensive love and care and, at times, might turn aggressive. Their training must be consistent; you should not take punitive measures against the puppy. They will require high protein food for their healthy gut and lustrous coat.
Greyhuahuas cannot bear extreme climate conditions. Their short and fat coats make it difficult for them to sustain the climate changes. You can protect your dogs with jackets in winter and keep them indoors to avoid heat strokes in summer.
Things to remember before adding a Chihuahua Greyhound mix puppy to your family
Chihuahua Greyhound mix puppies are adorable and rare that you, a dog lover, cannot wait to take them. However, before adding them to your family, contact a reputable breeder who would provide you with gene testing certificates, vaccination certificates, and medical histories. In addition, reputable breeders will show you the breeding area and ensure you meet the purebred parents.
Cost of a Chihuahua Greyhound mix puppy
Chihuahua Greyhound mix puppies are rare as Italian Greyhounds are a rare breed. Therefore, the mixed breed is also rare. They are challenging to find in the U.S. Therefore, the breed is expensive, costing around $500 and above. The price may vary from one breeder to another.
