Italian Greyhound Chihuahua Mix (Chiggy): Size, Care and Clothes That Fit
This article shares our experience and opinions, not veterinary advice. For health, safety or legal questions about your dog, check with your veterinarian and your local animal regulations.
An Italian Greyhound Chihuahua mix, often called a Chiggy or an Italian Greyhuahua, is a cross between two toy breeds. Because it is a mix, its size, coat and personality land somewhere between the parents and vary from dog to dog, and most Chiggys are small, thin coated and quick to feel the cold.
That last part is where we come in: Chiggys are one of the mixed fits we make outfits for. Below is what the parent breeds can tell you, using American Kennel Club numbers rather than guesses, plus what to ask your vet and how to dress a body that is part sighthound, part Chihuahua.
Key takeaways
- A Chiggy is a mix, not an AKC breed, so there is no official size or lifespan for it.
- The parents span 5 to 15 inches tall: Chihuahuas stand 5 to 8 inches, Italian Greyhounds 13 to 15.
- Both parent breeds need extra care in the cold, so many Chiggys want a layer outdoors.
- Measure chest, back length and neck before you buy, because a mixed build rarely matches one chart.
- Adopt first, and if you buy, meet the breeder and the parents in person.
What Is an Italian Greyhound Chihuahua Mix?
An Italian Greyhound Chihuahua mix is a dog with one Italian Greyhound parent and one Chihuahua parent, or with both breeds a little further back in the family tree. You will see it listed as a Chiggy, an Italian Greyhuahua, an Italian Greyhound mix or a Chihuahua mix.
Both parents are AKC toy breeds, but the mix itself is not an AKC breed. That means no breed standard, no official size range and no measured lifespan. Mixed breeds can still join the AKC through its Canine Partners program, which the AKC calls "a program built to support mixed-breed dogs."
That is why sizes and lifespans quoted for Italian Greyhuahuas vary from site to site, and the profiles we checked don't say where their numbers come from. The honest starting point is the parent breeds.
How Big Does an Italian Greyhound Chihuahua Mix Get?
There is no official size for the mix. What you can check are the parent breeds, using the AKC's own breed pages for the Italian Greyhound and the Chihuahua:
| Parent breed | Height | Weight | Life expectancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | 5 to 8 in | Not over 6 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| Italian Greyhound | 13 to 15 in | 7 to 14 lb | 14 to 15 years |
For clothing, build matters as much as weight. The AKC describes Italian Greyhounds as Greyhounds in miniature, "more slender," with "long, fine-boned legs," while it calls the Chihuahua "compact and confident." A Chiggy can inherit the long legs, the compact body or a bit of each, so two Chiggys of the same weight can need very different clothes.
Coat and Grooming
The coat depends on the family. According to the AKC, the Chihuahua "comes in two varieties: long and smooth coat," while the Italian Greyhound has a very short, smooth coat. A Chiggy may end up with either, depending on which kind of Chihuahua is in its background.
Grooming follows the coat. The AKC says a smooth-coat Chihuahua needs "only occasional brushing and regular baths," while a longhaired Chihuahua should be brushed at least once a week. Italian Greyhounds rarely need baths, and the AKC's top grooming tip for them is tooth brushing, "preferably daily." It calls dental care necessary for Chihuahuas too, so ask your vet to show you how to brush your Chiggy's teeth.
Temperament: What Each Parent Brings
The AKC describes the Italian Greyhound as "an alert, playful, and highly affectionate toy companion," and credits the Chihuahua with "loyalty, charm, and big-dog attitude" and a "terrier-like demeanor." Our post on Italian Greyhound temperament covers the Iggy side in more depth.
A Chiggy can lean either way, and breed is a weaker guide to personality than most people expect. A 2022 study that surveyed the owners of 18,385 dogs found breed explains just 9% of the variation in behavior between individual dogs, and its authors concluded breed "should not be used to inform decisions relating to selection of a pet dog" (read the study). Spend time with the actual dog, or ask the foster or shelter staff about it, before you decide.
With children, take care. The AKC says Chihuahuas are "too small for roughhousing with kids," that dogs "should always be supervised around young children," and that Italian Greyhound owners should avoid situations "that might result in a broken leg."
For training, the AKC suggests "a firm but gentle hand" for the Chihuahua's terrier streak. If house training stalls on wet or cold days, see our guide to potty training in bad weather.
Health: What to Ask Your Vet About
We found no health data specific to the mix, so the useful questions come from the parent breeds. This is general information, not veterinary advice.
- Kneecaps, heart and eyes. The AKC lists heart problems (patent ductus arteriosus and mitral valve disease), eye disease and patellar luxation, or loose kneecaps, among issues that can affect Chihuahuas. The breed club's recommended health tests are a patella evaluation, a cardiac exam and an eye exam.
- Legs. The AKC says the Italian Greyhound "is not as delicate as he looks," but owners should still avoid situations that could break a leg. Ask your vet which activities suit a fine-boned dog.
- Screenings in the Iggy line. Responsible Italian Greyhound breeders screen for conditions such as PRA, autoimmune problems, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hypothyroidism, according to the AKC. If you buy from a breeder, ask which screenings both parents had.
- Teeth. Both AKC breed pages stress dental care; raise it at checkups.
The Italian Greyhound Club of America adds that allergies, leg injuries, digestive issues, seizures and autoimmune disorders "have been reported in some IGs, but not to any great extent."
When to call your vet
- Right away: if you think your dog is hypothermic after time in the cold. The AKC says to bring your dog somewhere warm "and contact your vet immediately." Call right away too if you think your dog has hurt a leg.
- At your next visit: ask about kneecaps, heart, eyes and a dental plan, and which health checks make sense for your dog.
- Any time you are unsure: the AKC's advice is short: "When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian."
Do Chiggys Get Cold? Keeping a Thin-Coated Mix Warm
Many do. The Italian Greyhound Club of America says that "due to short hair and little body fat," Italian Greyhounds are "not suited to prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures," and the AKC says "special care must be taken in cold weather" with Chihuahuas. The AKC's guide to hypothermia in dogs adds that small dogs, senior dogs, puppies and short-coated dogs "are at a higher risk of rapid loss of body heat."
Watch for the early signs. The same AKC guide says "shivering and curling up for warmth are some of the first signs of mild hypothermia in dogs," and that a warm jacket or sweater helps reduce the risk. It is just as clear that clothing "should never be used on an unattended dog." For temperature guidance, read how cold is too cold for Italian Greyhounds, and for the bigger question, do Italian Greyhounds need clothes.
How to Fit Clothes on an Italian Greyhound Chihuahua Mix
This is where a Chiggy gets tricky, because a garment cut for either parent may fit poorly. Our founder puts it this way: "Italian Greyhounds have such unique bodies that getting the fit just right is very important not only for warmth and protection but also for safety." A mixed body only raises the stakes.
Start with a soft tape measure. The AKC's guide to measuring your dog for gear says most dog clothing relies on "three core measurements: back length, chest girth, and neck girth," and that chest girth "is typically the most important measurement for clothing." For sleeved and full-body pieces we also need leg length. Our guide, measuring your Iggy made easy, walks through all four, and the steps work the same way on a Chiggy.
The AKC adds two tips: slip two fingers under the tape when you measure around the body, and if your dog is between sizes, "always opt for the larger size." Then check the fit points in our post on how dog clothes should fit.
Ready to Wear or custom?
Our Ready to Wear pieces come in standard Iggy sizes and ship the next business day. Compare your dog's numbers with our size guide: Extra Small is for a back length under 12.5 inches and a weight under 8 pounds, and Small is for a back length of about 13.5 inches and 8 to 10 pounds. If your Chiggy lands cleanly in one size, Ready to Wear can work; read the size details in each product description too.
If the numbers don't line up, custom is the better route. Chiggys and other non-Iggy fits go through our Custom Order Quote form. Custom pieces are made to order from your dog's measurements and your fabric and style choices, and they typically ship in about 4 weeks. Because they are made to measure, custom items are not returnable. Browse our custom collection, see other breeds we sew for on our non-Iggy outfits page, or read custom clothes for small breeds.
Adopting or Buying a Chiggy Safely
Start with adoption. The ASPCA's guide to finding the perfect puppy recommends adopting from a rescue or shelter, notes that adoption fees fund rescue work, and points out that purebred and other sought-after dogs turn up in shelters too.
If you buy, be careful online: the ASPCA warns that it is "nearly impossible to know if an online breeder or seller is responsible and trustworthy or if they are actually a puppy mill." It advises asking to see health records, visiting the breeder's home and meeting the puppy's parents and littermates. Meeting the parents also previews size and build.
People often ask what a Chiggy costs. There is no standard price for a mix, and it isn't something we track, so we don't quote one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Chihuahua Italian Greyhound mix called?
Most people call it a Chiggy or an Italian Greyhuahua, and you may also see it listed as an Italian Greyhound mix or a Chihuahua mix. It is a cross between two AKC toy breeds rather than a breed of its own, so there is no official name or breed standard.
How big does an Italian Greyhound Chihuahua mix get?
There is no official size for the mix. According to the AKC, Chihuahuas stand 5 to 8 inches and weigh no more than 6 pounds, while Italian Greyhounds stand 13 to 15 inches and weigh 7 to 14 pounds. A Chiggy can land anywhere around that range.
How long do Italian Greyhound Chihuahua mixes live?
No lifespan has been measured for the mix itself. The AKC lists 14 to 16 years for Chihuahuas and 14 to 15 years for Italian Greyhounds, though its Italian Greyhound health notes say 13 to 15. Your vet is the best guide for your own dog.
Are Chiggys good with kids?
They can be, with supervision. The AKC says Chihuahuas are too small for roughhousing with kids and that dogs should always be supervised around young children. It also warns Italian Greyhound owners to avoid hazardous situations that might lead to a broken leg.
Do Chiggys need sweaters?
Many do in cool weather. Italian Greyhounds have short hair and little body fat, and the AKC says Chihuahuas need special care in cold weather. Use clothing on walks and during supervised time, never on an unattended dog, and treat shivering as an early sign your dog is cold.
Ready to dress your Chiggy? Measure first and compare with our size guide. If the numbers don't fit one size, send us a Custom Order Quote with your Chiggy's measurements. Our founder has been sewing for Italian Greyhounds since 2012, we have thousands of five-star reviews on Etsy, and we'd love to make something that fits your dog's real shape.
Sources and Further Reading
- American Kennel Club: Italian Greyhound breed information
- American Kennel Club: Chihuahua breed information
- Italian Greyhound Club of America: Italian Greyhound health
- American Kennel Club: Hypothermia in dogs
- American Kennel Club: How to measure your dog for gear
- American Kennel Club: Canine Partners for mixed-breed dogs
- ASPCA: Finding the perfect puppy
- Morrill and colleagues, Science (2022): Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes
Top photo: Jan Suchánek on Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.