Italian Papihound

6-8 lbs
9-10"
United States
Italian Greyhound
Papillon

The Italian Papihound is a hybrid dog. Its parent breeds are the Italian Greyhound and the Papillon. The Italian Greyhound parent breed is affectionate and active. Originally bred for hunting, they also make great lap dogs.  The spunky Papillon parent is also a small dog who should be indoors with his loving family. Both breeds are sensitive to anesthesia, so it is likely the hybrid offspring will be also. The Italian Papihound is a very clever dog, though may be difficult to housebreak. This hybrid may be prone to chase cars and bikes due to the Greyhound heritage. He needs lots of love and attention and will happily give you the same thing in return.

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Italian Greyhound and Papillon

Italian Papihound Health

Average Size
Male Italian Papihound size stats
Height: 10-11 inches Weight: 8-10 lbs
Female Italian Papihound size stats
Height: 9-10 inches Weight: 6-8 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Epilepsy
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Minor Concerns
  • None Known
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Eye Examination
  • Physical Examination
  • Electrocardiogram

Italian Papihound Breed History

The exact origin of the Italian Greyhound is unknown; however, we do have artwork dating back 2,000 that depicts the breed. It is believed that the Phoenicians brought the Italian Greyhound to Europe, where it was developed strictly to be a companion animal. The Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans favored the dog; in fact, the Romans helped cultivate the development of the Italian Greyhound. Many royals were deeply devoted to their dogs of this breed; Frederick the Great of Prussia is rumored to have been buried beside his beloved Italian Greyhound. Around 1900, the breed began to decline in numbers as well as in popularity. Some breeders attempted to decrease the size of the already miniature dog; this led to a decline in the health of the  breed as well. Italian Greyhounds were brought to America in the late 1800s, and today, the breed is again growing in popularity. The Papillion is a dog that can trace his history back to the sixteenth century. Portraits from this time period, including works by Rembrandt and Rubens, feature this gorgeous and elegant companion dog. Throughout Europe, noble ladies cited them as favorite companions and traders carried the little dogs in baskets on mules as they travelled through Spain, France, and Italy. Louis XIV had a hand in developing the breed into the dog we know today. The Italian Papihound is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Dog Registry of America, and the International Designer Canine Registry.  

Italian Papihound Breed Appearance

While there is not a great deal of information on the Italian Papihound, we can learn about the parent breeds in order to determine what the hybrid descendent will look like. The Italian Greyhound is a small-boned dog of small stature. His head is long and narrow with a muzzle that tapers down to a point. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. He has medium-sized eyes, with ears that fold back along the head. The Italian Greyhound’s color is varied; gray, slate gray, red, fawn, blue, black, white, or cream, are all acceptable in the show ring. The Papillion has a long, flowing, straight coat that is silky to the touch. He has no undercoat. On his chest is a frill of hair, and his ears are fringed with hair also. He also has a plumed tail that curls over his back. He is generally white with colored patches. He will generally have a definitive white blaze  and nose band. Based on the parental characteristics, your Italian Papihound's coat may be in a range of colors but most typically, there are white markings on its chest and feet. The head is generally small and has a muzzle similar to that of the Italian Greyhound parent. He will have small dark eyes and they will sparkle with mischief, giving you an idea of this hybrid's fun and feisty personality. Most often, the coat of the Italian Papihound is not as long as the coat seen on the Papillon parent but dogs even within the same hybrid litter can have varying length coats. The ears may differ altogether as well.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Italian Papihound eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Italian Papihound nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
gray Italian Papihound coat
Gray
red Italian Papihound coat
Red
fawn Italian Papihound coat
Fawn
blue Italian Papihound coat
Blue
black Italian Papihound coat
Black
white Italian Papihound coat
White
cream Italian Papihound coat
Cream
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Italian Papihound straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Italian Papihound Breed Maintenance

The Italian Papihound should be a fairly low-maintenance dog. While he may have the longer hair of the Papillion, you should only need to brush him once or twice a week as the fur should be of a texture that the pin brush slides right through it. sometimes a comb can be used to make sure the coat is tangle free. Bathe your dog only when necessary; he should not have a doggy odor, as his parents rarely do. His ears will need weekly cleaning with a veterinarian recommended cleaning solution and a cotton ball. You should brush your Italian Papihound’s teeth at least three times a week - small dogs are notorious for having dental issues. Trim your dog’s nails every other week. 

Brushes for Italian Papihound
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Italian Papihound requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Italian Papihound Temperament

The Italian Papihound is happy, alert, and friendly. Occasionally this hybrid may be somewhat submissive but really just wants to please. While they do not respond to harsh discipline, they will not listen to a handler that is not firm and consistent. Obedience classes are suggested as this will give your dog an opportunity to get used rules, to people, and to other canines in a neutral setting. The Italian Papihound is a very peaceful dog, and he may be somewhat dependent upon his owner. Too much pampering though, can make the Italian Papihound experience Small Dog Syndrome, a condition in which he may think he rules the home. You should be firm and calm in order for your hybrid to see you as a pack leader. This little dog is very active, quick, and may even climb on your furniture.

Italian Papihound Activity Requirements

The Italian Papihound is likely to be a fairly active dog due to the typical Papillon parent breed energy level. The Papillon parent breed rather enjoys getting outside – in a fenced-in yard, of course – and loves running and playing. The Papillon likes to climb, so don’t be surprised if your Italian Papihound is a climber as well. The Italian Greyhound parent breed is also quite energetic. However, being outside requires some preparation. The Italian Greyhound has thin skin – in the winter, he will need a sweater, and in the warmer months, he will need sunscreen. A daily walk will suffice in helping the your dog work off his energy. If you put the Italian Papihound in a fenced area, remember that both parents are excellent climbers. Do not leave him unattended, not even for a minute.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Italian Papihound Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.70 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Italian Papihound Owner Experiences

Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd