Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Italian Greyhound
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Italian Greyhound Will Have
- How Much Does the Italian Greyhound Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Italian Greyhound Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Italian Greyhound Puppy
- How Long is a Italian Greyhound Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Italian Greyhound
- Conclusion on Italian Greyhound Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Italian Greyhound
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 34 different Italian Greyhound birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Italian Greyhounds can have is 3 puppies. Also, the Italian Greyhound can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 6 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Italian Greyhound compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Italian Greyhound Will Have
Italian Greyhound Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Italian Greyhound will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Italian Greyhound is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Italian Greyhound litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Italian Greyhound will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Italian Greyhound
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Italian Greyhound will have if your Italian Greyhound gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Italian Greyhound. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Italian Greyhound at different ages. This table applies to a Italian Greyhound that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 3 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 4 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 5 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 6 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 7 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 8 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 9 | 3 puppies | 0 to 7 puppies |
How Much Does the Italian Greyhound Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Italian Greyhound puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 59 Italian Greyhound puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 59 Italian Greyhound puppies, the average weight of the Italian Greyhound at birth is 185 grams (6.5 ounces). The birth weight of the Italian Greyhound puppy typically ranges from 167 grams (5.9 ounces) to 208 grams (7.3 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Italian Greyhound puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
How Big Will a Italian Greyhound Puppy Get?
A Italian Greyhound puppy will grow up to weigh around 6 to 15 pounds. Furthermore, a Italian Greyhound puppy will grow up to be 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Italian Greyhound weight and how big Italian Greyhounds grow here
How Much is a Italian Greyhound Puppy
The average price of a Italian Greyhound puppy is $1930. The price of a Italian Greyhound puppy ranges from $1500 to $2250.
Since the Italian Greyhound has an average litter size of 3, therefore a Italian Greyhound litter birth is worth $5790.
To learn more about the price of Italian Greyhound puppy, check our review on how much Italian Greyhound puppy cost, and Italian Greyhound buying advice.
How Long is a Italian Greyhound Pregnant?
Italian Greyhounds are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Italian Greyhounds can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Italian Greyhound conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Italian Greyhound for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Italian Greyhound
To ensure that your Italian Greyhound successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Italian Greyhound well: A good diet will ensure that your Italian Greyhound has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Italian Greyhound is in good health: Ensure you take your Italian Greyhound to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Italian Greyhound gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Italian Greyhound is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Italian Greyhound Litter Size
Italian Greyhounds can have 3 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Italian Greyhound will have depends on factors such as the age of the Italian Greyhound and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Italian Greyhounds the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Italian Greyhound. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Italian Greyhound gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Italian Greyhounds in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.