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 |  Italian Greyhound |  Dobermann |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | 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. | Germany |
| Group | Toy | Working |
| Size | Small | Large |
| Coat | Short, fine, glossy single coat in black, blue, fawn, red, cream or seal, often with white markings | Short, smooth, close lying coat |
| Weight | 3 to 5 kg | 32 to 45 kg |
| Height | 32 to 38 cm | 63 to 72 cm |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 yrs | 10 to 13 yrs |
| Exercise need | 6/10 | 9/10 |
| Affection | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Grooming needs | 2/10 | 2/10 |
| Barking | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Good with children | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Trainability | 6/10 | 9/10 |
| Prey drive | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Copes alone | 3/10 | 2/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 2/10 |
| Shedding | 2/10 | 4/10 |
| Flat fit | 8/10 | 3/10 |
| Running cost | €85 / month | €218 / month |
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
Dobermann verdict
A sleek, devoted guardian with a famously soft heart that needs a confident, present owner.
Get one if
- · Confident, experienced owners who enjoy structured training
- · Active households able to provide an hour or more of daily exercise
- · People wanting a dog that lives closely indoors as part of the family
Think again if
- · Owners wanting an outdoor only guard dog kept apart from the family
- · First time owners unwilling to commit to consistent reward based training
- · Households using harsh or forceful training methods