Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix
The Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Rat Terrier and the Italian Greyhound. This is obviously a unique mix that should be taken very lightly when breeding. Is it more like the Rat Terrier or the Italian Greyhound? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix.
While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix puppies for sale.
If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.
Here are some pictures of the Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix
Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix History
All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. Please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.
Italian Greyhound History:
Greyhounds are the oldest purebred dog, dating to the time of the Pharaohs. The first records of Greyhound type dogs appear about 8,000 years ago and they are the only breed of dog mentioned by name in the Bible. In ancient Egypt, Greyhounds were revered as gods, and only royalty were allowed to own them. No other canine is as closely associated with speed, grace, and overall agility as the Greyhound. For millennia Greyhounds have been cherished and bred as hunting dogs whose keen ability to spot prey and it's movement, using their keen sense of sight, and to pursue and capture that game at incredibly fast speeds. The Italian Greyhound originated in Italy about 2,000 years ago when Italians starting breeding the naturally born smaller sized Greyhounds, which eventually resulted in the modern Italian Greyhound.
Rat Terrier History:
This is an American bred dog bred to be a working dog. Being that they are so small, they were bred to act as a hunter and a farm dog to hunt pests like rats and other vermin. They needed them to be fast and able to catch animals as quick as rabbits. Today the Rat Terrier is a stubborn but intelligent dog who is wary of strangers. While they will be good with a family even if not properly socialized they may be aggressive to other pets and strangers. They have a lot of courage and are very good at detecting the mood you are in. They want to please and are affectionate but he needs a lot of exercise or he can become poorly behaved.
Awesome videos of Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix puppies
Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix Size and Weight
Italian Greyhound
Height: 13 - 15 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 8 - 11 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
Rat Terrier
Height: 10 - 18 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 10 - 24 lb.
Lifespan: 15 - 18 years
Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix Personality
Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. This could obviously make for a unique breed. Any time you are breeding the Rat Terrier with anything else it needs to be done very carefully. They might be an alpha with a strong personality and needs a strong owner with experience who can set themselves as pack leader. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They are somewhat capable of independence, or alone time when the house is noisy or full. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”
Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Dalmatian mixed with the Rat Terrier might be prone to Patellar Luxation, Hypoglycemia, Heart problems, Allergies, Hip Dysplasia
Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.
Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix Care
What are the grooming requirements?
Both of these dogs have very short hair and will make for an easy grooming dog. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the exercise requirements?
Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the training requirements?
This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.
Rat Terrier Italian Greyhound Mix Feeding
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.