The Blue Italian Greyhound is a rare color variation in greyhounds. Their coat color is not fully blue; it gives a greyish shade. Some people also call them grey iggies referred to as blue. Their coat color is caused by recessive dilution gene which gives a grayish-blue hue.
Their coat gives a smooth and shiny look. If we talk about their eye color, it typically ranges from medium brown to dark brown. And size is comparable to other greyhounds like 12 to 15 inches tall. If we talk about their lifespan, then their average lifespan is 11 to 15 years.
Blue Italian Greyhound Puppy
Puppy of a blue italian greyhound when born looks so cute and adorable. When these puppies are born they look very small. And their weight is just 5 to 8 ounces. After 8 weeks puppy weight increases from 2 to 6 pounds.
Blue italian greyhound puppies when born their coat is short and very smooth. Their coats require less grooming. Because of the short coat, these puppies require proper care in cold weather.
Their eye color is dark brown when they are born. After some time eye color may slightly change. However, these puppies are friendly and highly sensitive.
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Price Of Blue Italian Greyhound
When you are buying an adult blue italian greyhound its price range is between $1500 to $2500. And the price of their puppy ranges from $2000 to $3000. However, the prices may depend on many factors such as age, health and breeder reputation.
Must keep in mind that Blue Italian Greyhounds are not commonly available than other color variations. So those breeders who have this color variation can often demand more than $3000.
Temperament
These greyhounds have a sweet and friendly temperament. Because of their smaller size they are active and have a lot of energy. They are good with kids and families. Also they can easily adjust with other pets if they are trained properly.
They have a strong bonding with their owners and can become good pet dogs. However, you need to give them regular exercise and daily walks which keeps them healthy and active.
Care Needs
The following some key points to keep in mind for care needs:
Grooming
- Brush their teeths weekly with soft brush
- Give them bath 1 to 2 times in a month
- Trim their nails after every 2 weeks
- Clean ears weekly to prevent allergies
Dietary Requirements
- Use lean protein
- Give High-quality diet
- Divide into small portions
- Check weight to prevent obesity
Health Issues In Blue Italian Greyhound
These are the common health issues:
Leg Fractures:
Their legs are weak. They have more chances to break especially in puppies
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):
PRA is an eye disease which can lead to blindness in greyhounds. It is not painful but incurable
Luxating Patella
Luxating Patella is a disease which affects kneecaps. This is not a genetic disease but gradually becomes worse after some time.
Hip Dysplasia :
This is the condition where hip joints don’t fit properly. It can also lead to arthritis and can be painful.
Training Tips For Blue Italian Greyhound
Blue italian greyhounds are intelligent dogs and easy to train. They don’t need unique training sessions. In early stages teach your dog some basic commands like sit, stay, come and stand etc.
Give some short training sessions like take him for a short walk daily which improves their health. These dogs have a high prey drive to chase small animals, so use harness instead of collars.
Breeder Insights
If you want a healthy grey iggie then must choose a reputable breeder who knows ethical breeding practices. Don’t look for local breeders to save some money. These are two famous breeders which follow ethical breeding practices:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Italian Greyhound Club of America (IGCA)
Blue And White Italian Greyhound
Blue and White Italian Greyhound is also a rare variation in the greyhound breed. The coat color is a mixture of white and blue (greyish shade). Main coat color is blue but at some areas like chest, tail, face and on legs there are white markings.
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