Italian Greyhounds make great pets. They’re known to be loving, loyal, and easy to care for. Italian Greyhound mix-es are becoming more and more common as the breed grows in popularity.
Their small size makes them ideal apartment dogs and companions for people with a lot of free time.
However, as pure breeds, they could be at the pricier end of the scale when it comes to puppy purchases. For this reason, you might want to consider a mixed breed instead.
Italian Greyhounds mix really well with several other breeds to create healthy and happy pets
Here are some of the best (in my opinion) Italian Greyhound mixes.
11 Italian Greyhound Mixes
Italian Greyhound and Pug: Puggit
The Puggit is a mix between a Pug and an Italian Greyhound. They have the loving and loyal personalities of Greyhounds but also have a slightly bossy edge that comes from a Pug.
They’re excellent companion dogs that are bred entirely to be lap dogs.
They don’t need a lot of exercise like the pure Italian Greyhound, as their Pug genes just need a couple of short walks per day.
The Puggit stands at around 14 inches at the shoulder, so it’s a small dog ideal for people who live in the city.
Their coat is short and soft. This means that they will need to wrap up warm in winter, as their fur isn’t thick enough to keep them warm.
The Puggit takes on a lot of the features of a Pug – usually maintaining the Pug’s signature tan and black coloring.
Pugs are notorious for their heavy breathing and respiratory problems because their breeding makes their snout a little too short.
The Greyhound mix actually eliminates some of the common health issues associated with Pug respiratory malformation.
Italian Greyhound and Chihuahua: Greyhuahua
Greyhuahuas are a mix between an Italian Greyhound and a Chihuahua. They have a lot of energy, are incredibly nosey and want to be involved in everything.
Greyhuahuas are generally quite vocal if you leave them out of the loop.
They grow to around 14 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 15 lbs. This is among the smallest breed when it comes to Italian Greyhound mixes.
They aren’t overly friendly with other dogs though, tending to rely mainly on their owners to satisfy them socially.
Because their windpipe and lungs are so small, they can sometimes be prone to tracheal collapse – the closing of the airway.
This is usually due to eating too quickly or swallowing something they shouldn’t have. You’ll need to keep a close eye on them.
Read more about Greyhuahuas here.
Italian Greyhound and Beagle: Greagle
The Greagle is a cross between an Italian Greyhound and a Beagle. They maintain the Greyhound’s strong prey drive along with the Beagle’s hunting instinct.
This means they’re not a great fit for a home with small animals.
They are highly intelligent and high-energy and need a lot of stimulation to keep them occupied, making them an excellent addition to a home with children.
They stand at around 15 inches at the shoulder. But, while they’re still fairly small, their energy levels don’t really work for apartment living.
They work best in homes with a large outdoor space.
Your Greagle might develop epilepsy later in life.
This is a common trait in Beagles and is sometimes passed along to the Greagle. This can be treated with medication and has no fatal risk except in extreme conditions.
Read more about Greagles here.
Italian Greyhound and Border Collie: Greyollie
This is the cross between an Italian Greyhound and a Border Collie. They usually maintain the high intelligence of the Border Collie and are relatively easy to train.
Greyollies are obedient and loyal companions with extremely high energy levels and need a large outdoor space to burn off excess energy.
This breed isn’t a good choice for a family with a busy lifestyle, as they will need lots of attention.
They can reach sizes of around 26 inches at the shoulder. However, their size varies greatly depending on the Collie’s genes.
Their coat is also very unpredictable, again, depending on the genes of the Collie.
Collies have long, thick coats to keep them warm, while Greyhounds have fine, short coats to maintain their aerodynamics. You’re likely to get a pup with mid-length, soft fur.
Their coat must be maintained with a brush at least every couple of days. This is as they’re likely to shed quite a lot, so be prepared with the hoover.
Learn more about Greyollies here.
Italian Greyhound and Bichon Frise: Italian Bichon
The Italian Bichon mixes the Italian Greyhound and the Bichon Frise. They are bred solely for companionship and have happy and loving personalities.
They have playful natures and although they don’t need much exercise, they love to play and will love to get a new toy.
Their coats are fine and silky and because Bichon Frises are hypoallergenic, they don’t tend to shed too much.
However, they do need brushing regularly to keep them from getting knots. The coat usually comes in white, gray, or even tan colors and can be bi-colored too
Because both breeds are small in size, the average height of an Italian Bichon is around 15 inches at the shoulder, making them an ideal pet for smaller homes and apartments.
The two breeds mix incredibly well together and, as such, there aren’t too many common health issues discovered with this mixed breed.
Though they can still carry down hip dysplasia from their Greyhound genes.
Italian Greyhound and Boston Terrier: Bostalian
The Bostalian is a cross between the Italian Greyhound and the Boston Terrier. This dog has high energy levels and loves to run and play.
Despite being a relatively small dog (reaching up to 17 inches), they do need a lot of wide-open space to play in.
They are quite unruly as a breed, carrying a cheeky side down from the Boston Terrier. However, this can be trained out if you get them on a strict regime at an early age.
They also love other dogs and company, so it’s a great idea to mix them with homes that already have a dog. This will also give you a break when you’re tired of playing but they aren’t.
Their coat is usually smooth, short, and very fine as both ascendant breeds have a very light covering of fur.
This means that there’s barely any grooming to be done as you’ll not really ever need a professional. However, you will need to ensure that they’re kept warm throughout the winter.
Check out our detailed post on the Bostalian.
Italian Greyhound and Poodle: Pootalian
The Pootalian is a cross between an Italian Greyhound and a Miniature Poodle. They are quiet in nature and love the relaxed lifestyle.
They aren’t a dog for running around in the yard too much or taking on a hike.
Unlike most other dog breeds, they do like their alone time and tend to attach themselves solely to a single person.
This means that they aren’t the best fit for households with a lot of noise or with children or other dogs. They’re a great fit for single people looking for a loyal companion.
They generally have long, wiry type fur that comes from the Poodle and they can come in a variety of colors.
Their fur will need to be groomed at least a couple of times per week and they’ll need a professional groom once every 6 weeks or so.
Pootalians are known to be prone to congenital heart conditions which can result in heart murmurs, weakness and fainting, and a lack of stamina.
Some of these can be treated with long-term medication. However, they can eventually be fatal.
Check out our detail article on the Pootalian here!
Italian Greyhound and Basenji: Italian Greyenji
An Italian Greyenji is a mix between an Italian Greyhound and a Basenji. They are incredibly loving and playful and are great with children.
They need a lot of exercise, so you’ll need to have enough spare time to take them on a couple of walks each day.
Their coats are short and smooth, and they are fairly low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
You usually won’t need a professional groomer and bath time is only necessary when you feel they need it.
They do get a little anxious if left alone for too long, so they’re not a great mix to choose if you feel that you’ll be out of the house a lot.
They can also be fairly difficult to train as their cheeky nature has them breaking all the rules.
Because the two breeds work quite well together, there aren’t a lot of health issues that come with this mix.
However, Italian Greyhounds carry the trait of cataracts and unfortunately, the Greyenji is prone to these too – even when they’re fairly young.
Learn more about the Italian Greyenjis here.
Italian Greyhound and Cairn Terrier
This is a cross between the Italian Greyhound and the Cairn Terrier. They’re a hardy and fearless dog for their size, which is typically anywhere up to around 15 inches at the shoulder
While they are friendly, they are fiercely protective over their homes and actually make quite good guard dogs.
They aren’t known for their quiet or reserved nature, and this can sometimes mean they bark a lot unless they’re trained thoroughly.
Their coats are generally wiry and range from gray to tan and darker brown. They will need to be brushed regularly, but don’t shed too much.
Because their coat is naturally fairly unkempt, they will need regular trips to the groomers to maintain their perfect cut.
The Italian Cairn is prone to same cataracts, dysplasia, and bloating that an Italian Greyhound might experience, but also has a higher chance of diabetes from the Cairn side.
You should make sure your puppy has a clean medical certificate before going ahead with your purchase.
Italian Greyhound and Miniature Pinscher
This is a cross between the Italian Greyhound and the Miniature Pinscher.
They have a beautiful, slender build inherited from both of their parent breeds and they’re quite small, reaching heights of 14 inches. This makes them perfect for apartment living.
Their natural slim figure sets them up perfectly for lots of exercise, so you’ll need to be prepared for plenty of walking.
While they do get on well with other dogs of their size, they can get a little skittish if they’re unsure about new people or bigger dogs, so you must watch them around children.
They can also be quite yappy, so you’ll need to invest in some training and potentially warn your neighbors.
Their coats come in pure black, tan, gray, or any combination of those and they have smooth, sleek fur to keep them stream-lined while running.
Their legs are prone to dysplasia, which can happen repeatedly throughout their lives because of their tiny shoulder and elbow sockets.
They are also sometimes born with epilepsy or heart defects, so you must get a vet check every once in a while.
Check out more detail about the Italian Grey Min Pin
Italian Greyhound and Jack Russell
Jack Russell Greyhounds are very intelligent and have a lot of energy. They love children and will play all day.
However, their chase instinct inherited from their Greyhound side and their need to retrieve small animals inherited from their Jack Russell side makes them incredibly dangerous companions for any small animal.
Their coats are typically the dominant colors of a Jack Russell – white and tan. But they can vary from this if they’ve inherited more from their Greyhound parentage.
Their extreme intelligence and strong will can make them a little difficult to train at first, so you may need to get a professional trainer involved.
These dogs are especially prone to gum disease and it’s really important that you brush their teeth regularly and give them teeth-cleaning chews every week or so.
Find out more about the Jack Rusell and Italian Greyhound crossbreed here.
Italian Greyhound and Pomeranian
The Italian Greyhound Pomeranian Mix is a designer dog that has recently gained popularity. This crossbreed inherits traits from both parent breeds, creating a unique and captivating appearance.
The Pomeranian and Iggy Mix typically has a small to medium-sized body with a lean and slender build. Their coat can vary in length and texture, depending on the genetic contribution of each parent breed. They may have the Pomeranian’s fluffy double coat or the Italian Greyhound’s short and smooth coat. Colors range from solid shades to a combination of colors such as black, white, tan, or sable.
These dogs are known for their affectionate and loving nature, making them excellent companions for individuals and families. They thrive on human attention and form strong bonds with their owners. This mix is also known to be intelligent, curious, and lively, always ready for a play session or adventure.
Check out our dedicated article on the Italian Greyhound Pomeranian mix.
Italian Greyhound and Rat Terrier
These pups are small to medium-sized dogs with a lean and athletic build. They often inherit the slender body and long legs of the Italian Greyhound, combined with the alert expression and sturdy frame of the Rat Terrier. Their coat can vary in texture and color, ranging from smooth and short to wiry and longer. Common coat colors include black, white, brindle, and shades of brown.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Italian Greyhound Rat Terrier Mix is their delightful temperament. These dogs are known for their friendly, outgoing, and affectionate nature. They form strong bonds with their human companions and thrive on being part of a loving family. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them highly trainable, and they excel in various canine sports and activities.
These dogs are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle. This hybrid breed has a high energy level and loves engaging in physical activities. Regular exercise is essential to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Long walks, playtime in a securely fenced yard, and interactive games will help ensure they remain happy and content.
Like the sound of this pup? Find out more here!
Italian Greyhound and Dachshund
With its elongated body, short legs, and slender frame, the Italian Greyhound Dachshund mix has an unmistakable silhouette. These dogs typically have short and smooth coat. Their eyes are bright and expressive, while their ears can be erect or floppy, depending on the dominant genes inherited from their parents.
They inherit a delightful blend of traits from their parent breeds, making them loving, loyal, and playful companions. These dogs thrive on human attention and enjoy spending time with their families.
Due to their heritage as sight hounds, these pups may have a strong prey drive and enjoy chasing small animals. Therefore, it is important to supervise them during outdoor activities and ensure they are in a secure environment.
Despite their small stature, the mix of Dachshunds and Iggies are active dogs that require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Daily walks, interactive play sessions, and access to a secure outdoor area are important to fulfill their exercise needs. Remember to keep them on a leash when outside, as their hunting instincts may lead them to chase after small animals.
You can find out more about this pup here.
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