Pictures copyright and courtesy of Sharkey
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PedigreeDogs
Fact File
General InformationThe Irish wolfhound is a giant breed. The minimum height given in the Breed Standard is 28 inches to the shoulder for bitches, but they are much more likely to reach 30 to 34 inches, and males 32 to 36 inches. Their weight as adults is going to be well over 100 pounds, with a big male possibly reaching 180 to 200 pounds. This is a big dog and it takes up quite a bit of room, so is not really suited to a small flat.It is a hound that was bred for hunting and many still have a strong hunting instinct, which is something to bear in mind, especially if you could not stand the thought of another animal being caught and killed. Many are brought up with cats and small breed dogs so that they learn that not all small creatures are something to be chased. However, it can happen that a hound will be friendly with its own but chase a strange cat or small dog. Any dog needs to be under strict control around livestock and that is particularly the case with any of the hunting breeds such as the Irish wolfhound. It is not generally a noisy breed, although some wolfhounds have learned to be noisy from being with a breed that barks a great deal. Many wolfhounds will howl (sounding like the Hound of the Baskervilles!), especially when left alone for long periods. It is not a breed to leave at home alone while you are at work, nor to leave out in a yard on its own; they need and like company. The new puppy needs to be socialised and be given at least some basic training. One of the most important things to do with any pup is to get it used to being handled, having its teeth looked at, its ears examined, its body examined and felt all over, its paws looked at and the toes gently separated, while the pup is also rolled gently on its side and on its back. If this is done frequently (and lovingly) from an early age you will have a dog which you know will be fine whenever it requires any kind of examination or handling. Wrestling with a recalcitrant adult dog which weighs more than you do is not easy and can so easily be avoided by carrying out this early training. There is no reason why a wolfhound cannot be obedience trained. As with all hounds, they can be stubborn, but do not believe the oft-repeated assertion that a wolfhound is untrainable. They are not fond of boring repetition (who is?) but there are so many ways of training that are enjoyable for dog and owner that boring repetition can easily be avoided. It is a galloping breed, so they do need exercise and preferably at least some free running. They are hunting hounds and need to see space, not just have access to it, and not feel hemmed in, this will depress them and then this is mistaken for laziness when actually they do not have a choice. Puppies should be restricted as to exercise, with a puppy up to four months only having play time in the garden, for example, and not walked at all. After that age the pup could be given short walks and a little free running but it is so important not to over-exercise. It is also important not to restrict the movement, such as only walking with the hound tied to a pram moving at the pace of a toddler, or only to stroll slowly while walking the hound on leash. This can prevent the hound ever being able to stretch out and move properly. It is important not to have a puppy running free all the time with smaller breed puppies or adults, or older wolfhound puppies because they can overtax themselves and literally run themselves into total exhaustion, which is likely to result in bone growth disorders such as OCD. Wolfhound puppies are very lively and can be so into adult hood of 5 or more years. As the puppy gets older, the exercise periods can be gradually lengthened and an adult can be given plenty of exercise, although it is sensible to work up to it gradually rather than going straight into a ten mile hike. Attitude to ChildrenAll the wolfhounds I have known have adored children, especially small children (they love their icecreams and cakes, as well!). Children do need to be taught that a puppy needs a lot of sleep and it is not good for its health to be constantly woken up to play. It is important for the puppy and adult hound to have a place of its own it can go to where it can have some peace and quiet. Many owners use a crate for this purpose, but it is important to train carefully to a crate so that it is looked on as a haven and not as punishment.The Wolfhound and other petsAs already mentioned, wolfhounds will generally be fine with other pets they are raised with but do need to be carefully watched with any other animals. We did have one bitch which, despite being raised from a puppy with cats, was not to be trusted even with our cats when she was adult.GroomingThe wolfhound should have a rough coat, not very long and with a thick undercoat. However, many different types of coat are seen, including what is usually termed a "woolly" coat, which is long and soft. The correct coat is very easy to deal with as it just requires regular brushing and a thorough combing through once a week. The longer, softer coats are inclined to mat and require daily brushing and combing. It is usually sensible to trim off very long hair round the feet, under the tail, and on the underside of hounds with this sort of coat. A puppy needs to be got used to being groomed from an early age and this can be done alongside the handling explained earlier.For the show ring, a wolfhound should be shown pretty well au naturel, which is to say that some tidying up should be done but not a lot of stripping out. Any stripping that is carried out should be done using finger and thumb. Any long hairs around and on the ears should be removed, and any tufts of hair on the head, but the wolfhound should have plentiful beard and whiskers. The underline should be tidied, to show the tuck-up, and the feet should have long hair removed (the Standard asks for feet to be "cat-like" and they are not that if they look as though they are wearing tatty carpet slippers), and the neck can be neatened, although the wolfhound is supposed to have a "mane". Health ProblemsHeart disease (particularly dilated cardiomyopathy), for which there has been a breed related research scheme since 1987; Progressive Retinal Atrophy; osteosarcoma; Hip Dysplasia. Care needs to be taken with growing youngsters as they can develop bone growth problems such as Hypertrophic osteodystrophy and Osteochondritis dissecans. Eye tests are available through a BVA/KC scheme. All litters should be tested for Liver Shunt (Portosystemic shunt, a congenital condition).MiscellaneousBreeders should at the least supply a diet sheet, and proof that the puppy has passed the Liver Shunt test.Books on the Breed The Irish Wolfhound Guide by Alfred W. DeQuoy There is also a magazine – "The Irish Wolfhound" – which at present is published twice a year and is available from: 14 High Street Written by: Hilary Jupp Email Address: irishhounds@aol.com Website Address: www.irishwolfhounds.org
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