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The Italian Greyhound is extremely slender and barely over a foot tall, but they have all the grace and sweetness of his taller Greyhound relatives. They love to be with their owner and are very active. Running and playtime are essential for this breed along with daily walks. Full-grown, they typically weigh 7-14 pounds and stand 13-15 inches tall.

Italian Greyhounds are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. They love attention and affection and are peaceful, gentle friends to adults and children. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

This breed needs frequent opportunities to run freely in a large enclosed area. They're highly intelligent and will likely wish to have their own way  and occasionally will be naughty, so consistency is necessary. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

The Italian Greyhound coat is made up of of fine, short hair, most often colored in slate, black, or greyish yellow, occasionally with white on the chest and feet. Very little grooming is required; you can wipe down your pup with a cloth to make their coat shine and bathe them monthly. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance. Italian Greyhounds are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Italian Greyhounds are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. Because of their small size, they can make great apartment companions, as long as you can get them outside for plenty of activity each day. They are fairly easy to train.

The Dachshund (pronounced dak-sund; also known as a ‘Teckel’) originated in Germany in the sixteenth century. They were bred and trained to chase down prey, such as a badger (Dachshund means ‘Badger Dog’) or fox, enter its burrow, kill it, and retrieve it. Full-grown, they typically weigh 9-11 pounds and stand 5-6 inches tall.

Miniature Dachshunds are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. The Miniature Dachshund is somewhat reserved around strangers and may bark at them, but forms a strong bond with family. It can be too courageous around larger dogs. They're very vocal and bark quite a lot.

The Miniature Dachshund needs a small amount of exercise; medium length walks or a fair amount of play in the yard should be sufficient. Miniature Dachshunds may tire easily so exercise should be spaced out throughout the day. Miniature Dachshunds can live comfortably in an apartment, but it is best if they get an occasional view of the wild. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

The smooth- and long-haired Miniature Dachshund should be brushed occasionally to remove dead hairs. Long-haired Miniature Dachshunds are prone to tangles, so they should be groomed more often. The coat of the wire-haired Miniature Dachshund should be plucked twice a year. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Miniature Dachshunds are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. They are fairly easy to train.