Italian Cavalier Greyhound -- Italian Greyhound X Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

		Italian Cavalier Greyhound
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Italy <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Italian Cavalier Greyhound

The Italian Cavalier Greyhound is an affectionate, friendly little dog whose parent breeds are the Italian Greyhound and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They do well in all environments and are an excellent companion for novice owners, as they are relatively low-maintenance in terms of coat care and easy to train due to their friendly, eager-to-please personality. These dogs are currently considered pets, not working or guard dogs. However, they are very alert and can make excellent watchdogs. Owners of the Italian Cavalier Greyhound say it's an intelligent little dog with lots of affection to give.

History of the Italian Cavalier Greyhound

The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look for all the breeds in the cross. It's possible that you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed.

	A little of the Italian Greyhound
	The Italian Greyhound is an interesting breed that probably dates back over 2,000 years. Skeletons thought to be small sighthounds have been found around Greece and Turkey. Like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Little Italian Greyhound was a favorite pet of royalty, in fact, Frederick the Great of Prussia is buried next to his beloved dogs. The breed made its way to North America in the 1800s and joined the American Kennel Club in 1886.

	Standard of the Italian Greyhound
	A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
	Thought to have been created through the breeding of the Blenheim Red and White King Charles Spaniel and the Toy Trawler Spaniel (now extinct), the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was originally prized as a retriever and hunting dog. During the reign of King Charles II, this attractive dog began to gain popularity as a symbol of aristocracy, and was proudly owned by nobility and royalty throughout Europe. This beautiful breed probably originated in the 1600s and was developed in England, although it was much later before breed standards were established. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995.

	Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Appearance of the Italian Cavalier Greyhound

The Italian Cavalier Greyhound is small and lean, although it is a well-built breed with a long, flat skull, narrow muzzle with a tapered nose and dark, shiny, mainly chocolate-brown eyes. These small dogs can have either small, semi-erect ears that can resemble an upside-down triangle, or longer, broader ears with lots of feathering. The tail is often very thin but strong for a small dog if it takes on the side of the Italian Greyhound, or the tail can be long and feathered like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent. Its coat is often silky, glossy and of medium length, with sparse feathering around the muzzle, ears, tail, belly and foot pads.

Temperament of the Italian Cavalier Greyhound

The Italian Cavalier Greyhound is considered an affectionate, friendly dog that will behave calmly and obediently when interacting with other pets and strangers. These eager-to-please dogs are easy to train and are often very quick to learn a new command. They are well suited to first-time pet owners because of this happy, enthusiastic personality. They are gentle, playful and tolerant when surrounded by children, but as with all pets, socialization at a young age is essential for a well-behaved dog. These dogs can be shy and sensitive and don't take well to owners' cries, so kind and considerate leadership is exactly what the Italian Cavalier Greyhound needs to thrive within the family. They are not suitable for busy owners, as they are quite prone to separation anxiety.

Needs and activities of the Italian Cavalier Greyhound

A hyper-naughty little dog if left to its own devices too often, this hybrid is happy to expend its energy playing fun games like fetching balls or adopting puppy-like behavior like destroying toys. These are moderate-energy dogs and are quite content with daily playtime with owners, time at the dog park and short, brisk walks. The Italian Cavalier Greyhound is well suited to an urban, rural or suburban lifestyle, but may not be suitable for hot climates. Some of the hybrids in this mix have the shorter muzzle of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and breathing can be labored if exercised in the heat.

Maintenance of the Italian Cavalier Greyhound

These hybrids are seasonal shedders and may need brushing a few times a week to remove loose fur and dirt that may be trapped in the coat. These dogs have very sensitive skin, so be sure to use a smooth brush or a pin brush to gently remove loose fur before it tangles. Pay particular attention to your hybrid's eyes and clean this area daily, as they can be prone to tear stains. As these dogs have floppy ears, check the ears weekly to keep them clean and free of debris, as infection can develop quite quickly if they are allowed to become damp or full of dirt. As with all dogs, weekly tooth brushing is essential to prevent dental disease. Regular nail trimming every 6 to 12 weeks is a must if they are not worn down by physical activity.

Details: Written by: Francis Vandersteen; Also available:; Last Updated: 17 April 2024; Hits: 367

Italian Cavalier Greyhound -- Italian Greyhound X Cavalier King Charles Spaniel