USA Bus Lines

Has anyone ever had an Italian Greyhound or a Miniature Pincher?

I had to put my dog to sleep in Jan. I would like to get another dog. I would like to know the pro's and con's of either a Italian Greyhound or Miniature Pincher. A couple of people have told me not to get either one. I have been told that if they are left alone too long they become very destructive.

Public Comments

1. Destructiveness is true, but that can happen in any dog that is left alone too long. If you have to leave a dog alone for long periods of time, you shouldn't own one. I have owned both breeds. Also, both breeds tend to not be great with kids, but if you teach your kids to be great with dogs (depending on the age), you shouldn't have a problem. If you have younger children, do not get either of these breeds, they are too delicate and are prone to breaks and spraines when improperly handled.
2. I had and enjoyed an Italian Greyhound for over 16 years. In all that time, Rudi never destroyed anything. It may have helped that I had another dog to keep him company; I've always kept two at a time, it really cuts down on the anxiety problems (chewing, excess barking, eating the couch). He was, however, very difficult to housebreak...both before and after he was neutered. He was never completely reliable around anything with corners. For the rest...it all depends on how close you want to get to your dog. Italian Greyhounds were originally bred by the Romans to keep their masters' beds warm, or even to serve as hot-water bottles if he was sick. Consequently, there is no such thing as keeping an IG off the bed! Some people are OK with that (I am), but if the idea of dogs in the bed (yes, *in*) doesn't appeal, you may want to select a breed that wasn't bred specifically to be there. They also like nothing better than the softest piece of furniture in the house; and as they have short, fine fur and no fat layer to speak of, it's a good idea to let them have it. They *must* be kept warm. Rudi never got sick, but I could tell when he was miserable...and I never lived north of San Francisco while I had him. The closeness they crave is more than physical. IGs are affectionate, cuddlesome...and very clingy, in the sense of being emotionally needy. Rudi was not completely at ease unless some part of him was touching me. He was submissive (but not shy), gentle, willing, emotional, always a little insecure. You will never get into a dominance struggle with an Italian Greyhound, unless you go looking for one. He was very brave about the couple of times he was seriously injured. But he totally fell apart when his pack leader died. Rudi chased jackrabbits (but not cats); walked nicely on a leash; was always curled up next to me when I was sitting; liked to play with old newspapers and paper-towel cores; ate some amazingly thick chew-bones for his size; joined in our communal howling sessions; travelled well in the car; and would drink my coffee if I left it within his reach. In short, he was a dog, and some aspects of that don't change no matter what the breed.