Boston Iggy (Boston Terrier & Italian Greyhound Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

What do you get when you mix a breed known as the “American Gentleman” with one that was a favorite lapdog of noblewomen in the Middle Ages? A very unique designer dog, we must say!

The result of crossbreeding the Boston Terrier with the Italian Greyhound, the Boston Iggy is a cute, compact comedian with a huge personality. The perfect combo of watchdog and companion pet, this rare breed of designer pooch is available in a wide array of colors and coat patterns. With big ears and an even bigger heart, the Boston Iggy would make a great pet for almost any household.

Boston Iggy Puppies

With her big, oversized ears and large, expressive eyes, it’s nearly impossible to not bring home a Boston Iggy the second you pick this cuddle bug up. Pair that with a cheap price tag, and what’s not to love?

However, buyer beware. This old adage is especially true for folks who are on the hunt for a designer dog breed. Due to their rising popularity, many puppy mills and backyard breeders are taking full advantage of the high demand for designer dogs. These bad breeding establishments are only out to make a quick buck and have little to no regard for the welfare of the pups or the parents.

But what exactly is a puppy mill and a backyard breeder? A puppy mill is an inhumane high-volume commercial dog breeding facility that churns out puppies for profit. Boston Iggy puppies from puppy mills are typically un-socialized or sick. You will usually see ads for such bad breeders on internet sites, online classified ads, pet stores, and flea markets, In fact, the majority of designer dog puppies sold at pet stores are from puppy mills.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are over 10,000 puppy mills operating in the United States that breed and sell over two million puppies every year. Like puppy mills, backyard breeders are driven solely by profit. They are mom-and-pop breeders that continuously breed dogs in poor conditions and often jeopardize the welfare of both the puppies and their parents.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Boston Iggy

1. The Boston Terrier was Born to Be a Fighter

They were originally developed by crossbreeding the English Bulldog with the now-extinct English Terrier. When dog fighting became illegal, the breed was shrunk in size.

2. The Italian Greyhound is a Small Breed

They are the smallest of the sighthounds and are often referred to as a “mini” breed.

3. Helen Keller Owned a Boston Terrier

His name was Phiz!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Boston Iggy 🧠

Your Boston Iggy can inherit any combination of personality and intelligence traits from her two parent breeds. In order to understand your Boston Iggy’s temperament, it’s important to take a look at the personality of both the Boston Terrier and the Italian Greyhound.

Boston Terriers are highly affectionate, active, and an all-around friendly breed. They are adored by their owners and need a lot of attention in order to thrive. Super smart, Boston Terriers can be prone to stubbornness or spurts of hyperactivity that can land them in hot water with their humans.

The Italian Greyhound is a loving and loyal companion that can adapt well to both apartments and large suburban homes. However, they do not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time. This intelligent breed can be easy to train, but you’ll need to make their training sessions fun and engaging, or else they’ll lose interest rather quickly.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yep! Boston Iggy dogs are great for families. However, if you have small tots, be sure to keep a close eye on them during playtime with the pooch. Additionally, it’s important to teach your kids how to properly behave around the dog. They should never take away the dog’s toys or food, and should never move swiftly around a new pooch.

Moreover, in order for your dog to feel right at home from day one, it’s critical to start socializing your new puppy from the get-go. This means exposing her to all members of the family and even strangers, on a daily basis.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Your new Boston Iggy will definitely get along with your other pets if you socialize her from the first day you bring her home.

Things to Know When Owning a Boston Iggy

Now that you know a little more about your new Boston Iggy’s personality and intelligence, let’s take a look at her food, exercise, training, and grooming requirements.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Boston Iggy would do best on a high-protein, high-quality, grain-free diet of kibble that caters to her age and activity level. You can feed her one cup divided into two meals per day. This will cost you around $25 to $30 each month.

If you are unsure what type of food to feed your new fur baby, always consult with your vet.

Exercise 🐕

Boston Iggy dogs have a moderate activity level. You should be aiming to provide yours with at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. This can be broken down into mini exercise sessions throughout the day, including a brisk walk, romp in the backyard, or a game of tug inside.

Due to her extreme smarts, your Boston Iggy will need plenty of mental stimulation too. Consider buying some puppy play puzzles, enrolling her in a weekly obedience class, or teaching her a new trick every week to keep her occupied.

Grooming ✂️

Your Boston Iggy is a low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. Her fine, silky coat needs to be brushed daily with a slicker brush to keep it nice and shiny. Also, clean her ears and teeth and clip her nails as needed.

Health Conditions ❤️

Despite being an overall healthy breed, the Boston Iggy may suffer from some health issues as she ages. This is why it’s important to always buy your puppy from a reputable breeder to try to avoid serious genetic health complications down the road.

Male vs. Female

The male Boston Iggy is slightly bigger than his female counterpart. Other than that, there are no major personality differences between the two genders.

Conclusion

If you’re on the lookout for a loving, loyal, and affectionate companion, the Boston Iggy could be perfect for you and your family. Small in size but big in personality and intelligence, the Boston Iggy would thrive in a home where she receives a lot of attention and affection. We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about this Boston Terrier and Italian Greyhound mixed breed.

See Also:

• Italian Papihound (Italian Greyhound & Papillon Mix): Pictures, Traits & Facts
• Italian Greagle (Italian Greyhound & Beagle Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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Featured Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock