Chihuahua vs Italian Greyhound

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

Chihuahua vs Italian Greyhound — at a glance

The Chihuahua (1.5–3 kg, 14–17 years) and the Italian Greyhound (3.5–5 kg, 14–16 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Energy levels are well-matched between the Chihuahua and Italian Greyhound — both need similar daily exercise.

Both have manageable grooming routines — the Chihuahua demands slightly more, but neither needs daily fuss.

Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.

	Chihuahua	Italian Greyhound
Group	Toy	Toy
Origin	Mexico	Italy / Mediterranean
Weight	1.5–3 kg	3.5–5 kg
Height	15–23 cm	33–38 cm
Lifespan	14–17 years	14–16 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

Chihuahua

Temperament

Bold, alert, devoted, vocal. Chihuahuas attach intensely to one person and can be wary or even snappy with strangers and other dogs without socialisation. They generally tolerate other Chihuahuas and small calm dogs better than large boisterous ones.

Exercise

20–30 minutes of gentle daily walking plus indoor play. Easy to over-exercise — joints are tiny.

Grooming

Smooth-coat: weekly brush. Long-coat: 2–3× weekly. Bathe every 6–8 weeks. Prone to dental tartar — daily brushing helps.

Health

Patellar luxation. Hydrocephalus (puppies — domed skull). Tracheal collapse (use a harness). Dental disease (small mouths). Hypoglycaemia in young/very small dogs. Heart murmurs.

Full Chihuahua profile →