Miniature Dachshund vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison

Miniature Dachshund vs Italian Greyhound - Breed ComparisonMiniature Dachshund is originated from Germany but Italian Greyhound is originated from Italy. Miniature Dachshund may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Italian Greyhound. Both Miniature Dachshund and Italian Greyhound are having almost same weight. Both Miniature Dachshund and Italian Greyhound has almost same life span. Both Miniature Dachshund and Italian Greyhound has almost same litter size. Both Miniature Dachshund and Italian Greyhound requires Low maintenance.

History

miniature dachshund - historyThe Dachshund breed is ancient and was developed in Germany sometime around the 16th century.

It was in 1870 that Dachshunds first came to the United States to be used for hunting. During the 19th century, German hunters wanted smaller dachshunds.

The Dachshund was crossed with toy terriers. The coat comes in three coats – smooth-, long-haired and wire-haired. There is just one size of Miniature Dachshund in the UK and the United States.

italian greyhound - historyThe Italian Greyhound is an ancient breed, a purebred originating in Italy but with evidence to suggest it was also to be found in Turkey and Greece.

It's a small breed dog that became popular with Italian royalty in the 16th century. Over the centuries, the dog's appearance has remain unchanged, although breeders tried to make it even smaller, leading to problems with the health of the dog.

Towards the end of the 1800s, it was fortunate that breed fanciers implemented breeding programs to restore the dog's look's and strength. The American Kennel Club registered the Italian Greyhound in 1886. Today the dog is a wonderful companion dog.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Germany
Italy
Height Male:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Height Female:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 17 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
1 - 4
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Badger Dog, Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, Mini Sausage
IG, Iggy
Colors Available:
cream, chocolate etc, black, Red, black and tan
grey, tan, Fawn, chocolate and black., reddish
Coat:
Long or short
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

miniature dachshund puppy - descriptionComing in a range of colors such as red, black, black and tan, cream, chocolate etc, the coat of the Miniature Dachshund can be long or short. Both male and females stand at between 13 – 18cm and weigh between 3 and 5kg.

These dogs are characterized by the long back and very short legs with floppy ears and a long tail. The face is always bright and alert.

Temperament:

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog and can happily adapt to life in the city as well as in the countryside. This is because with their exercise needs, they don’t require a huge garden but can in fact, exercise indoors.

They’ve always been bred to hunt and are independent and feisty. They’re also intelligent and will do well with training and socialization.

They are also devoted to their families and are known to bark when strangers come near their family. They’ve got a lot of energy and just love being involved with games or going on a walk. Consider him when going on a walk though as his little legs have to take many more steps as compared to your one step.

They can be stubborn, but are friendly, lovable little pets, they aren’t suited for homes with toddlers unless the children have been taught to be exceedingly gentle and kind with animals, especially small, fragile ones like this. They can so easily get hurt.

italian greyhound puppy - descriptionThe sweet Italian Greyhound is much like the regular Greyhound, just smaller but every bit as sleek, elegant and fine-boned. He stands at between 33 and 38cm at the withers and weighs just 3 to 7kg. He is slender and elegant.

He has long, fine-boned legs and his short, smooth coat makes him easy to groom too. The coat comes in a number of colors such as fawn, tan, grey, reddish, chocolate and black.

Temperament.

Described as sweet, intelligent and playful, the Italian Greyhound adapts easily to life in the city or to country life.

He is easy to train too, and even though he is small and amicable, it is still a good idea to have him trained and socialized as he is just a simple pleasure to have around then. He just loves the company of his human family and becomes a gentle friend to other dogs, to children in the home and to the elderly.

He is a frail toy dog, and he needs to be constantly watched over that he isn’t handled roughly by disrespectful children or from bigger pets. He is an active breed and will love to be played with and join you on your walks. Even though he is such a frail, fragile looking dog, he has a feisty, stubborn, defiant side to him and that is why training and socialization becomes important. He will be reserved around strangers.

Characteristics

miniature dachshund dog - characteristicsThe Miniature Dachshund has lots of qualities which make him such a splendid pet. He is intelligent, brave, bold and loyal with his human family.

He is fun-loving and energetic and thrives on lots of games and walks. He is versatile in nature and also loves to take things easy indoors with his family.

These little dogs form strong bonds with their family and don’t like to be left on their own. When you have one of these as a pet you’re allowing a whole lot of joy into your home.

italian greyhound dog - characteristicsIf you’re looking for a sweet, gentle canine friend, the Italian Greyhound promises to be just that. They just crave human companionship and are eager to please.

He isn’t the ideal playmate for children, simply because he is frail and can get hurt easily in rough play.

Small he may be, but he is intelligent and alert, and he will bark to warn you of strangers. They are essentially indoor dogs, and when you bring one of them into your home, you’ll be rewarded with a devoted, loving and loyal canine friend.

Health Problems

miniature dachshund puppies - health problemsBe very careful with the Miniature Dachshund because of their long backs. You don't want to be allowing him to be jumping off chairs etc as their backs are prone to injury. To solve the problem you can buy special stairs and ramps for small dogs.

They can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age when looked after well.

A disease that is fairly common in the Miniature Dachshund is Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord space, pressing on the nerves and causing nerve damage and worse, paralysis.

Symptoms of the disease include among others

  • whimpering or whining in agony
  • pain in rear legs as well as weakness
  • unwillingness to jump and reduction in activity levels
  • hunched back
  • loss of bladder- and bowel control

italian greyhound puppies - health problemsYour small Italian Greyhound isn’t a sickly dog breed, and in fact, with the right care, he can live to be between 10 to 14 years of age.

As with any dog breed however, there will be some more common conditions to watch for in the Italian Greyhound. Some of these are epilepsy, hyperthyroidism and periodontal disease.

Epilepsy:

There are different types and causes of seizures, and there are actually no definitive tests for epilepsy. One seizure isn’t enough to make a diagnosis and more than one seizure is usually recorded before a diagnosis can be made and treatment prescribed.

These treatments don’t cure Epilepsy but rather control the symptoms and keep the dog seizure-free so that they can have a normal life.

Seizures are not all the same – some are life-threatening and advice from the internet can’t be looked upon as adequate. With a dangerous disease such as epilepsy, excellent and qualified veterinary help will be required.

Periodontal Disease:

Gum disease can be terrible for your pet. Apart from bone loss and loss of teeth, your pet will experience pain. Periodontal disease may well be common in dogs, but it can be prevented.

Once an animal has eaten food, particles of food, saliva and bacteria form plaque over the teeth and this doesn’t only cause damage to the teeth but to the entire immune system.

This disease can cause inflamed gums and loss of teeth. It is important to brush your pet’s teeth with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

The truth is, periodontal disease can cause more problems than just tooth pain which is bad enough. Dogs with gum inflammation may be at higher risk for heart- and kidney disease too. If you’re worried about your dog, take him in to your vet for an oral examination and teeth cleaning.

Caring The Pet

miniature dachshund dogs - caringDachshunds can put on weight quickly and you want to avoid this at all costs as extra weight can put strain on the back.

If you feed your Mini Dachshund commercially manufactured dog food, choose the best quality ones, high in vitamins and minerals and avoid some of the cheaper ones that use unwholesome fillers, colorants, sugar and lots of salt, all of which can be toxic for your pet.

Of course home-made food is always best, but not any foods either. It is best with any dog to keep their foods simple and consistent so as to avoid stomach problems. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potatoes carrots and spinach will do wonders for him. Make sure that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

A good brush of the coat twice a week will do fine for your Miniature Dachshund. Remember to check him over for fleas and ticks when you brush him and to feel for any unusual lumps. Keep the nails trimmed.

Check both eyes and ears for infection. There are ways to keep the inside of long eared dog breeds clean and dry, but if you’re unsure there are always professional groomers who will do the job for you, and clean their teeth at the same time. You can brush your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up, gum infection and tooth loss.

Grooming:

italian greyhound dogs - caringThe Italian Greyhound has a short, smooth, satin-type coat which is easy to maintain. Gently brush him once or twice a week, being careful not to press down hard as he has frail, bambi-like legs.

He also sheds little, making him a low maintenance breed. Because of the short coat, take particular care of him in the Winter and don’t allow him to become overly cold.

Diet:

Your Italian Greyhound will require a diet rich in nutritional value, and if your particular dog is quite active you will need to feed him about 450 calories a day and sometimes more.

Each dog is an individual and will have different dietary needs. If you feed your pet a top quality commercially manufactured food, read the packaging for guidance on food portion sizes.

Speak to your vet if you are unsure how to feed your dog so that his food and the amounts you feed him contribute to his good health. He must always have access to fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Miniature Dachshund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  2. Miniature Dachshund vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  3. Miniature Dachshund vs Beaglier - Breed Comparison
  4. Miniature Dachshund vs Bluetick Beagle - Breed Comparison
  5. Miniature Dachshund vs Basset Artesien Normand - Breed Comparison
  6. Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  8. Pomeranian vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  9. Pug vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  10. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  11. Papillon vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  12. Miniature English Bulldog vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  13. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  14. Miniature Dachshund vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  16. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Miniature Dachshund vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  18. Miniature Dachshund vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Miniature Dachshund vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Miniature Dachshund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Dachshund vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  23. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  24. Pomeranian vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Maltese vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Pug vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltipoo vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  28. Papillon vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  29. Japanese Chin vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature English Bulldog vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Italian Greyhound vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  32. Italian Greyhound vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  33. Italian Greyhound vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  34. Italian Greyhound vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  35. Italian Greyhound vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  36. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Italian Greyhound vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison
  38. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  39. Italian Greyhound vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Italian Greyhound vs Dorkie - Breed Comparison
  41. Italian Greyhound vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  42. Italian Greyhound vs Doxiepoo - Breed Comparison
  43. Italian Greyhound vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  44. Italian Greyhound vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  45. Italian Greyhound vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  46. Italian Greyhound vs Cyprus Poodle - Breed Comparison
  47. Italian Greyhound vs Doxiepom - Breed Comparison
  48. Jug vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds