Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison

Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Italian Greyhound - Breed ComparisonItalian Greyhound is originated from Italy but Tea Cup Chihuahua is originated from Mexico. Both Italian Greyhound and Tea Cup Chihuahua are of same height. Both Italian Greyhound and Tea Cup Chihuahua are having almost same weight. Both Italian Greyhound and Tea Cup Chihuahua has almost same life span. Both Italian Greyhound and Tea Cup Chihuahua has same litter size. Italian Greyhound requires Low Maintenance. But Tea Cup Chihuahua requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Toy dog
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Italy
Mexico
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
15 - 38 cm
5 - 15 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
15 - 35 cm
5 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
2 - 3 kg
4 - 7 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
2 - 3 kg
4 - 7 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
2 - 4
Size:
Small
Toy
Other Names:
IG, Iggy
Toy Chihuahuas
Colors Available:
grey, tan, Fawn, chocolate and black., reddish
any color combination ranging from splashed or solid to marked. One can see solid black, spotted or sabled variations of their coat colors and pattern. The most common coat colors are black, white, cream and chocolate., red, brown, white, fawn
Coat:
Short and smooth
long haired and short dense coarse hair
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Cheerful, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

italian greyhoundThe 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.

tea cup chihuahuaChihuahua is a state in the country of Mexico. From this state, the dog breed Chihuahua and the “teacup, or toy” chihuahua take their name. Interestingly the Chihuahua Club of America maintains that “teacup” Chihuahuas do not exist and that the size differential is normal for the breed. Chihuahuas or their ancestors have been around a very long time, sadly the exact origins of the Chihuahua are lost into the pages of history, but archaeological clues such as wheeled dog toys, art, and pottery link the Chihuahua to Mexico and to the Techichi dog. The Techichi dog at the time of the Spanish Conquistadors was sold for food (not unlike we sell beef or chicken) and also as a companion dog to death. Cortez even mentioned the Techichi dog in a letter sent back to Spain, describing them as being raised for food and sold in the marketplace.

When a death occurred a dog was chosen as a companion and cremated with the deceased. It was believed that the dog helped the soul of the decedent reach their eternal destination. The Techichi dog from which the modern-day chihuahua likely descended was very plentiful in the central American area that is now the country of Mexico and raised by the ancient Toltecs and later the Aztec people.

Chihuahuas are little dogs and come in a variety of coats, head shapes and even (within the designation small) sizes. The designation “teacup, toy or pocket” while not an official breed name is a useful descriptor, since they are the littlest of an already small breed and these minute pets, as puppies, may fit into a teacup or a pocket.

Fortunately while no longer a food source, the chihuahua is now sought after as a loyal and lively pet and companion.

Description

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.

tea cup chihuahua puppy - descriptionChihuahuas are small. Even the bigger ones are only about six pounds and a “teacup” or “toy” is often three pounds or less. Their bodies are slightly longer than they are tall, but even the tallest are not over nine inches. Chihuahua standing under five inches in height is not uncommon in the “teacup” or smallest of these dogs. They have two different head types and a domed skull. One type of head shape is like a deer while the other is described as an apple-shaped head. The apple-shaped heads are more popular than the deer shaped heads, although sometimes in the “teacup” especially the soft spot fails to close at maturity when growth is complete and the bones should knit, therefore leaving a soft spot in their skull – this is called a molera.

Like different shaped heads chihuahua may have long hair or short-haired coats. The short-haired coats are smooth. The Chihuahua coats may be a large variety of colors ranging from black to white, with red, brown, fawn, cream and chocolate and they may be solid-colored, spotted or sabled. Personal preference is the determining factor on the type of coat a pet Chihuahua has since the breed does not have a preferred color, pattern, hair length or feel. Their muzzle (nose/mouth combination) is short and pointed. Chihuahua have have naturally erect pointed ears and large round eyes. A Chihuahuas tail is relatively long and mostly either curled up and over the back or carried up.

Characteristics

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.

tea cup chihuahua dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness very interactive with family but has been known to nip at small children and bark, so no not really

2. Special talents more stamina than expected in such a small dog and barking

3. Adaptability yes but they are better off in apartments and homes not out in the country where their size makes them targets for predators.

4. Learning ability average ability to learn but Chihuahua can be but stubborn which may impact ability and willingness to learn.

Health Problems

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.

tea cup chihuahua puppies - health problemsChihuahuas live on average fourteen to eighteen years. There are some issues that may cause concern or lower life expectancy.]

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is something to watch for. Low blood sugar can cause death in just a few hours but when caught is very easily treated. Some of the symptoms are being uncoordinated when walking, acting sleepy or lethargic, unfocused sight, fainting, having a seizure or having spasms in the muscles of the neck. First aid can right this condition with a sweet supplement like corn syrup, or honey. This is more common in puppies, but the teacup chihuahuas are susceptible.

• Hydrocephalus (water on the brain) can affect many toy dog breeds. The puppy or dog will appear to have an oversized head, and be slow (display lethargy) and grow slower than its littermates.

• Pulmonic stenosis (a heart condition) occurs when the right ventricle is impeded. Teacup Chihuahuas are also susceptible to heart murmurs.

• Collapsed trachea this occurs when the cartilaginous rings in a Chihuahua do not form completely or weaken. This can be hereditary or an acquired condition and occurs in other small breeds of dog.

• Molera – where after finishing growth a soft spot remains in the skull and the bones do not knit. As a puppy, the owner must remain vigilant about head injuries.

• Obesity (overweight). Most of the time this is a result of the Teacup Chihuahua being overfed. Obesity can contribute to a shortened lifespan and chronic bronchitis.

• Cold susceptibility. Cold weather can cause Teacup Chihuahuas to shiver or tremble when exposed and during cold temperatures, the dogs may need to wear a sweater and boots outside and cuddle with their owners under blankets or bask in the sun to stay warm.

• Infected or injured eyes. Due to the prominent eyes, exposure to irritants such as dust, allergens, or dry air can cause the dog to develop this beginning with watering eyes.

Caring The Pet

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.

tea cup chihuahua dogs - caring1. Feeding the Puppies. Puppies should be fed four times a day. Underfeeding can cause the issues of low blood sugar and overfeeding can result in obesity increasing the risk of other health complications.

2. Feeding the Adult. Adult teacups are also vulnerable to hypoglycemia and obesity. Of course, the low blood sugar will be much more acute than obesity and need prompt care if it occurs. Adult teacups should be fed twice a day.

3. Points for Good Health. The chihuahua generally exhibits more vigor and endurance than pet owners expect from such a small breed of dog.

4. Games and Exercise for Teacup Chihuahua. Go ahead and run and play but remember even with the unexpected stamina and endurance this is a very small dog, small legs, using discernment, judgment, and restraint so the games and exercise is fun and builds health and is a special bonding time, without jeopardizing the sugar levels or causing exhaustion or misery.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Italian Greyhound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Italian Greyhound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Italian Greyhound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Italian Greyhound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Italian Greyhound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Italian Greyhound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Italian Greyhound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Italian Greyhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Italian Greyhound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Italian Greyhound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Italian Greyhound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Italian Greyhound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Italian Greyhound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Italian Greyhound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Italian Greyhound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Italian Greyhound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Italian Greyhound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Italian Greyhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Italian Greyhound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
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  24. Italian Greyhound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Italian Greyhound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Tea Cup Chihuahua vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison