Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Chiweenie |  Italian Greyhound |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States, 1990s | An ancient companion breed depicted in Mediterranean art for over two thousand years, the Italian Greyhound was bred down from larger sighthounds purely for companionship and lap warmth, becoming especially fashionable among European nobility from the sixteenth century onwards. It has never been a working dog; its sprinting instinct is inherited, not trained. |
| Group | Crossbreed | Toy |
| Size | Toy | Small |
| Coat | Short or long | Short, fine, glossy single coat in black, blue, fawn, red, cream or seal, often with white markings |
| Weight | 3 to 6 kg | 3 to 5 kg |
| Height | 15 to 25 cm | 32 to 38 cm |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
| Exercise need | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Affection | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Grooming needs | 3/10 | 2/10 |
| Barking | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Good with children | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Trainability | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Prey drive | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Copes alone | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 1/10 |
| Shedding | 4/10 | 2/10 |
| Flat fit | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Running cost | €52 / month | €85 / month |
Chiweenie verdict
Long back, big ears, bigger opinions
Get one if
- · Adult households or homes with calm older children
- · People at home much of the day who want a devoted companion
- · Flat dwellers; space and exercise needs are small
Think again if
- · Households with toddlers or chaotic, noisy routines
- · Homes empty for long working days
- · Anyone wanting a quiet dog or a guaranteed social butterfly
Italian Greyhound verdict
A sighthound in miniature: elegant, affectionate and genuinely fragile.
Get one if
- · Calm households wanting an affectionate, lap-loving companion
- · Owners with a securely fenced garden for sprint sessions
- · Adults or considerate older children who respect fragile bones
Think again if
- · Families with toddlers or very young children
- · Homes with large, boisterous or high prey-drive dogs already in residence
- · Owners wanting a hardy, weatherproof outdoor companion