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Italian Greagle (Italian Greyhound & Beagle Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Italian Greagle mixed breed dog

Height: 13–15 inches
Weight: 20–40 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: Brown, white, gray
Suitable for: Companion for seniors and singles, apartments, families
Temperament: Sensitive, energetic, social

The Italian Greagle is a cross between an Italian Greyhound and a Beagle. Like any dog mixed with an Italian Greyhound, they are sensitive, cuddly, emotional dogs that require a great deal of attention, which makes them excellent companion dogs. Due to their small size and lively nature, they do well in families, especially since they always want to be around people.

These dogs can be quite vocal, so they aren’t a dog to have in apartments where the walls are thin. Consistent training is required to help them learn to be quieter.

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Italian Greagle Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Italian Greagle puppy is an expensive dog. The price is steep due to several different aspects surrounding the breed. One is because of the rarity of these designer dogs. Although they are a wonderful breed, it can be quite complicated to find a breeder and obtain an Italian Greagle. Another reason is because of the current popularity and cost of the Italian Greyhound. The price of these pups also depends on whether the breeder offers other tests, vaccines, or neutering processes before selling.

Remember that what you pay for your pup isn’t the end of what you will be investing. The Italian Greagle is more costly to “maintain” than other dogs.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Italian Greagle

1. The Italian Greyhound is thought to be one of the ancient breeds.

The Italian Greyhound is an elegant breed that traces their roots to the Middle Ages. As their name suggests, they are believed to have originated from Italy. Their ancestors have been shown in artwork throughout Greece, Turkey, and other countries in the Mediterranean.

From the start of the 17th century, the breed was brought to England, where it quickly spread throughout the country and became quite popular with the general population and the nobility. For hundreds of years, the dog’s popularity grew until World War II, when many dog breeds across Europe were brought to the brink of annihilation.

Their luck was strong, though, and they had found a home in the United States in the 1890s. These lines helped introduce the breed back to Europe, where they have spread once again.


2. Typical Beagles in the 11th century could easily fit into their owner’s pocket.

Beagles trace their lineage back to the 5th century. However, they looked much different then and have been bred with other dogs to bring out different characteristics throughout the centuries. This breeding and resizing of the dog breed are why they were able to fit into their owner’s pocket. It would be hard to imagine that happening now; even though they are small dogs, they have more bulk to them than before.

They were meant to be a hunter’s companion, small enough to easily run through the underbrush and flush animals out of their dens. They were a beloved pet of Elizabeth I, and she called them “Singing Beagles.” The name comes from their proclivity to be vocal, especially when on a chase.

A reverend in Essex is believed to be the one who began breeding larger Beagles in the 1830s, and a decade later, these were exported to the United States. They gained popularity for their charm and usefulness and quickly spread throughout the States.


3. Italian Greagles inherit a strong prey drive from their Beagle parent and running endurance from the Italian Greyhound.

The blend of the Italian Greyhound and the Beagle makes for a dog with a strong prey drive, especially because of all the many years of breeding the capacity to hunt into their natures. This desire to chase and capture makes them a funny animal to watch as they run around outside. However, they need to be watched so they don’t express this prey drive on any other smaller animals in the home.

Combined with a prey drive is a heightened endurance from the Greyhounds. Much like their bigger relations, they can run quickly and for long periods. Although they are small enough to adapt to apartment living, they need plenty of space to run around in.

Parent Breeds of the Italian Greagle
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Italian Greagle 🧠

The Italian Greagle is an adoring dog with a heart of gold and cute floppy ears. They have more patience than most other small dogs, which makes them a great choice for people who are looking for a smaller dog.

They love to play and are gentle and affectionate. It is difficult to find a more loyal small breed. They can be quite vocal, although it is relatively easy to train for this to be expressed at the proper times with consistency.

To strangers, this dog can be quite reserved. Part of their personality, which is more down-to-earth than most dogs, makes it seem this way. They aren’t overly needy but always prefer to be around their people or snuggled up in blankets.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Italian Greagle is an excellent choice for a family dog. They have more patience, and most dogs in the breed end up loving children. It is still good to watch how they behave with younger children so neither of them hurt the other, even accidentally.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

These dogs are social creatures. With a combination of early socialization and their relaxed personalities, they tend to get along with almost any other pet. But be careful with them around small animals, like hamsters, since they can express their prey drive with unfortunate results.

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Things to Know When Owning an Italian Greagle

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Italian Greagle is small, but they do like to be quite active and have a high metabolism. They generally eat around 2 cups of food each day. Make sure to feed them a balanced diet with plenty of protein to give them a long-lasting source of energy.

Remember that these dogs are naturally skinny due to the build of the Italian Greyhound. Even if they eat quite a bit, they shouldn’t start to look bulky.

You might struggle to motivate these dogs to eat, especially if they aren’t particularly fond of their food. Put them on a regular daily schedule to help them learn when they should typically eat and not ignore their food.

Exercise 🐕

Italian Greagles need a great deal of exercise for such a small dog because both of the parent breeds are energetic dogs. The positive aspect of this is that they also have quite the laidback personality, meaning they won’t be bouncing off the walls in the home.

Take your Greagle out for at least 30 minutes of activity each day. It is preferable to allow them to run around. Taking them to the dog park helps to run down their energy and socialize them.

Training 🦮

These pups are highly intelligent and have large personalities. This combination means that they have an increased level of stubbornness, which makes it more difficult to train them. They do adore their owners, though, so the key is to establish dominance and always continue to be positive.

The Italian Greyhound is a more sensitive breed. Don’t use harsh tones or punishment in training because they won’t respond well and might decide to ignore you completely.

Grooming ✂️

There is a chance that the Italian Greagle will be hypoallergenic because the Italian Greyhound is. They do not shed much and should only need to be brushed two or three times a week. Since their fur is so short and their skin produces necessary oils, avoid bathing unless necessary. When you do, choose a dog shampoo that is easier on their skin.

As with all breeds, clip their nails as needed and brush their teeth at least multiple times a week, if not daily. Since their ears often take after the Beagles and are floppy, clean them out at least once a week to avoid infection.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Although these pups can live for quite a long time, their long line of inbreeding on both sides of their family means there are many potential health issues. With any pup that you intend to buy from a breeder, check the health clearances of each of the parents. It should help you be aware of likely health issues in the future.

Maintain regular visits to the vet at least once a year. As they age, consider taking them twice a year to catch any problems early on.

Minor Conditions
  • Canine hip dysplasia
  • Shivering
  • Ear infections
Serious Conditions
  • Patellar luxation
  • Eye disease
  • Legg-Calve Perthes disease
  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Beagle dwarfism
  • Cryptorchidism

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Male vs Female

There are currently no recognized differences between the personality and the typical size of the male and the female Italian Greagle.

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Final Thoughts

Are you looking for a loving, small dog for a companion? The Italian Greagle can be the perfect option for you. They have wonderful, cuddly personalities. They can be tough to train at the beginning but remember that consistency, firmness, and positive reinforcement are crucial with this dog, and you will have an angel on your hands.

Don’t panic if they don’t eat consistently and if they stay skinny. Taking them to regular vet checkups can help ensure your pup’s health and keep you enjoying their company for many years to come.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: bon9, Shutterstock

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