PRESS RELEASES 2023

 8/26/23 Press Release Spring Branch Texas -

 The Dainty kids had a great morning and Bexar seems to always steals all the oxygen in a room.  Today we even took the breath away from Judge Linda Hurlebaus who pinned us with the points towards our championship!  Thank you Judge Linda Hurlebaus, we are so honored to be seen as a quality producer of Italian Greyhounds and as the BOB winner in the Bred-by Italian Greyhound class.  This win takes us back in the Best in Group ring to compete against all the other Bred-by exhibitors.

By Dana Taylor, owner, handler and small hobby breeder of Italian Greyhounds at her Dainty Acres Kennel in Spring Branch Texas

 7/14/23 Press Release Spring Branch Texas -

  Boerne won Winners and Best of Opposite this morning!  Both pups were fantastic.  Bexar really showed well, he is such a natural at this.  Thank you Judge John Booth, this is our first win to him, we are honored!  Got some ringside professional shots, will share those when they come in!

#LeaveThePhotographyToTheProfessionals

#DaintysCashmereStetson

#DaintysCashmereBeret

#DaintyAcresItalianGreyhounds

6/15/23 Press Release Spring Branch Texas -

The pups are doing sooo great in their practice sessions.  We are really nailing the "Head-Straight" and the "Stay" and more importantly we are getting really good at having fun!

6/7/23 Press Release Spring Branch Texas - 

36 days until show time, when we go to the Freeman Colosseum in San Antonio to show our Italian Greyhounds at  the AKC Conformation dog show July 13 - 16.  Today we are back in the Dainty Acres Training studios dusting off our skills and practicing our routine. 

4/22/23 Press Release Spring Branch Texas - 

Here is a sneak peak at my summer collection for 2023.  Boerne is modeling this X-Small black leather lace lead with a matching braided martingale.  This collection will sport the aqua and gold Czech glass beads, but not available until June 2023.  You can find the Spring collection now at Reflection Outpost in Spring Branch or on this website: https://daintyacres.godaddysites.com/leather-show-leads  

Don't miss the Spring look with the turquoise Czech glass beads and three different choices of leather.  This Spring collection has a fresh "hippie meets western" kind of vibe that will go with everything!

#SneakPeakToyDogLeashCollection

#DaintyAcresSummer2023Collection

By Dana Taylor, owner, handler and small hobby breeder of Italian Greyhounds at her Dainty Acres Kennel in Spring Branch Texas

  3/24/23  Press Release Spring Branch, Texas - 

When a visitor asks me about my dogs, they usually start out by asking if my dog is a Whippet or a miniature Greyhound. They are probably making that guess because of my dogs sleek physique as well as my dog’s size. The Whippet stands 18” – 22”, and the Greyhound is as big as a pony.  Then the Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the 3 measuring in at 13 to 15 inches at the withers. The Whippet and the Greyhound are in the Hound Group but the Italian Greyhound is in the Toy Group, because of their size. The AKC Toy Group includes purebred dogs that are small, affectionate, social and adaptable in their environments. The Italian Greyhound fits perfectly into this group because they are all those things, but are we out-growing the group?

Over the last couple of years, the average height of the AKC registered Italian Greyhound has pushed up to the top of that Breed Standard range. Most of the winning show dogs are measuring over 15 inches, and some reaching as high as 17 inches. Every pure breed of dog registered with AKC has a list of attributes and characteristics that are listed in that breeds “Breed Standard”.  Breeders, owners, handlers and Judges refer to the AKC Breed Standard when they are picking dogs for the show ring or their breeding program. The Italian Greyhound Breed Standard says an Italian Greyhound should be between 13" and 15 inches tall. In the Breed Standard for a Whippet, a dog can be disqualified by a Judge if the dog proves to be over the Breed Standard’s limit. For the Italian Greyhound, that is not so. There is no disqualification based on height. The Breed Standard for the Italian Greyhound is vague and only suggests an ideal range of 13” to 15”, which means a dog can measure under or over that “ideal” height. With the average height creeping up, does this put our breed at risk of breaking the barrier to the Toy Group? As larger dogs win in the Conformation show ring, they also get selected to be breed partners, thus perpetuating the increased height of the breed.

So what does this mean for the future of the Italian Greyhound? Throughout history breeders have introduced "smalls" or "height reducers" into their breeding programs to work the size back down.  Professional breeders pay attention to size as well as other characteristics in the AKC Breed Standard, because they are in the business to sell AKC registered show and pet dogs. If their bitches started whelping larger pups, they choose small breed partners to work the size back down. Working the size back down sounds easier than it is.  It takes time, and to get a show quality “small” and then the smaller dog needs to be recognized as a winner in the ring with the flashier larger dogs. Then these smaller dogs need to be chosen as breed partners.

Breeders have a ton of resources to help them find breed partners. AKC has information on breeding, There are great magazines like Showsight and there are database services like BetterBred and BreedArchive.com to help breeders pick diverse partners and they include fields for height and weight. The challenge is not all breeders include the height, making it hard to find those smalls. As great as technology is, the best way to find a dog is to know some great people. Reaching out to local breeders, attending local AKC Conformation Dog Shows and make your own list of qualified breed partners. The owners and handlers are usually very willing to share information if you ask. 

For now, finding a 13-14" Italian Greyhound must be done the old fashion way.  You need to watch for those nice smalls, and thank their owner and breeder for working so hard at improving the breed.

By Dana Taylor, owner, handler and small hobby breeder of Italian Greyhounds at her Dainty Acres Kennel in Spring Branch Texas

  True love has been reunited!  Willie and his child bride Lucy, are back under one roof.  Sad for us to home one of the sweetest dogs ever and the matriarch of our kennel.  But it was the right thing to do for the pair.  Willie was soooo happy and gave us the most wonderful greeting.  Blessing on your new journey Willie, Lucy, Duff and Catherine.

#CHInfinitiCashmere

#AmaylasMachiatto

#Sweethearts

  Dainty's Cashmere Beret won the Italian Greyhound Toy Best of Breed today at the Kerrville Youth Event Center under Judge Nancy Liebe. In the ring were Infiniti Jedi I Am, Lorca, Jerry Hamlet Kia Dreams and Dainty's Cashmere Baret all trying to earn points to finish their championship ranking.   It was exciting to go into the Toy Group and compete against all the winners of the day.  No love, but won some wonderful memories with my girl. 

The Dainty's Cashmere puppies turn 13 months!  Puppies can be awkward and gangly for the first 2 years.  I like to see the progress we make.  Boerne is really turning out to be a nice little lady!