A hybrid of Italian Greyhound and Dachshund is arguably one of the cutest animals on the globe. Fondly called the Italian Doxie, this breed is a unique combination of two small purebred dogs – the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound.
The breed’s vibrant, energetic, and friendly personality will quickly capture your heart.
The Italian Doxie is one of those dogs with a happy-go-lucky attitude and silly temperament, but its friendliness and playfulness utterly enthrall everybody who comes into contact with them.
The pairing of two very different purebreds may appear weird at first glance due to their height difference, however, the parents’ complementary personalities make for an excellent match.
| Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix Facts | |
|---|---|
| Breed type | Designer dog |
| Average Height | 8 - 13 inches |
| Average Weight | 6 - 7 pounds |
| Size | Small |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Coat Type | Short; straight |
| Coat Color | Black, brown, red, fawn, brindle, cream, grey |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Temperament | Energetic, active, playful, intelligent, mischievous |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Suitable for | New or first-time owners, families with or without children, singles |
| Price | $800 - $1500 |
Breed Origin Of Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix
It’s impossible to predict what you’ll have to deal with when dealing with mixed breeds. This specific cross is still relatively new in the designer dog frenzy. We’ll need to look at the two parent breeds more closely to acquire a better understanding of them.
The Dachshund is a German breed. They were primarily responsible for crawling into animal burrows, combating the occupants, and chasing them out into the arms of the Doxie’s human lovers. They usually fought badgers head-to-head. To fulfill the job entrusted to them, Dachshunds had to be tough. To navigate badgers’ underground dwellings, their legs had to be short and their bodies had to be long.
Italian Greyhounds have been around for almost two thousand years. They most likely originated from Turkey, Greece, and other areas around the Mediterranean. The Italian Greyhound is an Italian breed of small sighthound. It may also be called the Italian Sighthound.
During the Renaissance in Italy, toy breeds were a status symbol, and the breed flourished. Nobility and royalty have long been fans of these dogs. They are thought to have been maintained by several people, including the Medici family, the French kings Louis XI, Charles VIII, Charles IX, Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Catherine the Great, Queen Victoria, etc.
Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix Looks And Aesthetics
When you decide to get a cross-breed, you never know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Like other mixes, the Italian Doxie might be a balanced blend of both parents or taken after one of them.
The Italian Greyhound, which is essentially a skinny little Greyhound, is extraordinarily elegant and graceful.
The curvy form with a small arch over the loin and good rear angulation are the same features that allow the full-sized Greyhound to run at top speed by employing the double-suspension gallop. The gait is loose and high-stepping. The coat is short and satin-like in appearance.
The Dachshund, on the other hand, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. It has a happy, active expression. The smooth coat is short and shiny, providing some protection from the elements; the long hair coat is sleek, occasionally slightly wavy, providing slightly more protection; and the wire coat is tight, thick, and hard, with a finer undercoat, providing maximum protection.
An Italian Doxie normally has a narrow Greyhound face, and its body type may be inherited from both parents, but they have long legs. The ears are always huge, however, they can be floppy or upright.
How Big Can A Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix Get? (Size, Height, and Weight)
As a crossbreed, the Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix may take after either parent in any aspect, or fall somewhere in-between.
The average height of an Italian Doxie can range from 8 to 13 inches.
It is vital to note that if the miniature variation of the Dachshund is used in the cross, your Italian Doxie could be as small as 5 inches.
As for the weight, the Weiner dog Italian Greyhound Mix is generally small like their parent breeds. It can range from 6 to 7 pounds.
To obtain a better estimation of your Italian Doxie’s height and weight, inquire about the exact height and weight of both parent dogs. Your puppy is likely to fall somewhere within this range.
Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix Temperament
The Dachshund Italian Greyhound cross temperament is a mix of their parents. In essence, they’ll typically have the stubbornness of a Dachshund combined with the gentleness commonly found among Italian Greyhounds.
Italian Doxies are lively and happy. While being extremely devoted to their people, they are also constantly vigilant. They are brave and will do everything it takes to defend their area and their human inhabitants. Due to their extreme hunting drive, they will pursue anything smaller than themselves, including cats, mice, and birds.
The Italian Greyhound Dachshund Mix has a gentle personality, loving and affectionate with family members, but often reserved or shy with strangers.
If the Doxie parent’s disposition is what your puppy exhibits, you’ll need to be ready for things like hardheadedness, lack of focus, excessive barking, and other undesirable traits.
Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix Health Considerations
The Italian Greyhound Dachshund is a relatively healthy dog who will enjoy a long 12 to 15 years with you.
Certain health problems may affect any dog, no matter their breed. The Weiner dog Italian Greyhound mix is no exception.
In general, the Italian Doxie has few health problems.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) – The most serious health concern for Dachshunds is likely IVDD, however breeding them with an Italian Greyhound marginally lowers the risk. Your dog is still susceptible to it. The severity of IVDD can range from minor discomfort to paralysis, and it affects the discs between the vertebrae in the spine.
- Gum Disease – It is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar on the teeth, which triggers inflammation. Periodontal disease affects canine teeth and the surrounding structures (the gums and bone). Periodontitis can result in gum infections, bone loss and if left untreated over time, the loss of teeth and other serious health problems.
- Epilepsy – Dogs kept as pets frequently struggle with epilepsy. Recurrent seizures brought on by aberrant brain activity may result from the disorder. There are numerous different types of epilepsy, including generalized seizures and facial twitching. To get your Dachshund Italian epilepsy treated, speak with a veterinarian.
- Allergy – Your dog may be experiencing an allergy if it itches, either all over or just in some areas of the body, and has breathing issues. Allergies can also cause skin issues, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. To help you stop the Italian Doxie from developing allergies, try to identify the allergen they were exposed to.
Taking Care Of Your Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix
Every dog owner knows that for their puppy to enjoy a healthy and productive life, he ought to prioritize the well-being of the dog. Taking care of the Dachshund Italian Greyhound is an important task that should not be overlooked. This involves feeding, grooming, training, and exercising daily.
Feeding
Many health problems can be avoided with a healthy diet. As a result, it’s critical to select premium brands when it comes to feeding your cherished dog.
Don’t overfeed your Italian Doxie. The recommended daily portion varies depending on the size, breed or health condition of the dog in question. Also, adapt the quantity to the weight of your pooch.
In addition, a dog’s diet can be influenced by age. The best senior dog food products should be provided if he is already an experienced doggie. On the other hand, the healthiest puppy chow on the market should be given to young puppies.
Grooming
With an Italian Doxie, grooming is rather simple. If your dog has short hair, brushing them once a week should be sufficient.
They don’t need to bathe every day. Clip their nails every two weeks, and inspect and clean their ears every week. As much as possible, brush their teeth every day. This is a crucial component of Italian Greyhounds’ upkeep because they are prone to tooth-related problems.
Exercise Needs
Since Doxie hunts and the Italian Greyhound is descended from hunting dogs, both parent breeds are active. However, this does not mean that they require an intensive exercise routine. These pups enjoy doing small tasks or chores on their own like barking at insects, chasing the cat, etc.
The Italian Greyhound Dachshund is a moderately active puppy. In other words, they require a moderate amount of exercise. You should exercise every day for roughly 60 minutes. You can decide to split it into 3 sessions – two 20-minute walks and one 20-minute play session.
Your dog may easily get uncomfortable and destructive if you neglect their need for exercise, in which case you should keep all of your shoes, newspapers, toilet paper, and pretty much everything else you own hidden.
Training
The Dachshund Italian Greyhound cross shouldn’t provide too much of a training challenge unless the Doxie side of them is particularly strong.
They do best with positive reinforcement and don’t react to punishment well. You can buy some gifts or treats for your Italian Doxie and use them as part of a positive reinforcement technique!
Try your best to prevent them from jumping on the fence or your furniture. The Italian Greyhound in the mix enjoys doing it, but if your Italian Doxie has inherited the Doxie shape, it can lead to spinal issues.
In particular, if you have additional pets, socialize them as soon as you can. If you begin early enough, you can train your Italian Doxie not to chase cats, hamsters, or guinea pigs.
Also Read: Dachshund Catahoula Mix: All About This Rare Designer Dog
Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix Puppy Cost & Breeders
Often, you can find your Italian Doxie anywhere from $800 to $1,500 when you purchase from a qualified breeder. Their price depends upon the pup’s age, sex, quality, pedigree, and breeder’s location.
Potential owners of Italian Doxies should look for a reliable breeder that has a thorough knowledge of the parent lineages and can give documentation of health exams.
If your dog is more of an Italian Greyhound or Dachshund, they ought to say so. Consequently, you know what to anticipate.
Avoid puppy mills and pet retailers. These frequently keep animals in appalling conditions which may result in behavioral and health issues. In addition, because they are uncommon, Italian Doxie puppies are not the kind that may be found in pet stores or shelters.
Buying Or Adopting A Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix
Many prospective dog owners must choose between adopting an Italian Greyhound Dachshund Mix and purchasing one from a breeder when thinking about getting a new pet.
In general, adopting a dog from a shelter is far less expensive than purchasing from a breeder or pet shop, but what’s more important is that you’re giving a dog in need a second chance, which is a wonderful feeling.
The primary drawback of adopting a dog from a shelter is that many canines have had traumatic or abusive pasts and may be negatively affected. If they’ve been mistreated, they might be traumatized and require longer to recover.
Breeders that are responsible focus on raising a small number of crossbred and purebred dogs and invest a lot of time in them. They will be the most informed about the parents, history, and current health of your dog.
While the majority of breeders are trustworthy, there is a chance of irresponsible breeders who engage in unethical behavior. These breeders frequently have solely financial motivations and may not actually care about their pets’ welfare. Buying can also be more expensive than adopting from a shelter.
Both solutions have advantages and disadvantages, but neither is without benefits. In any event, as long as a dog is healthy and well-cared for, it can originate from any place.
Also Read: Dachshund Australian Shepherd Mix: The Ultimate Guide
Who Is The Dachshund Italian Greyhound Mix Suitable For?
The Dachshund Italian Greyhound is suitable for families with or without children. They will adore the entire family to bits and are exceedingly devoted and affectionate. Your kids will like these dogs because they are such jovial little critters.
They are also ideal for those living in apartments. As long as they are occupied, they tend not to disturb your neighbors with their barking.
Italian Doxie is suited for new or first-time owners. With sufficient history of the breed, temperament, and training, they make lovely companions.
For singles, these energetic dogs keep the house cozy and warm for you.
