Irish Wolfhounds - any experienced owners?

[W12GT]

Hi all,

We have decided to explore the idea of adding an Irish Wolfhound to our family. We are experienced dog owners and have always worked our gun dogs. We currently have a mad German Shorthaired Pointer who is shall we say ‘enthusiastic’ to say the least.

My wife is Veterinary but has very little experience with these and no local breeders to talk to. Can anyone give advice on whom to talk to and breeders that have a good reputation for breeding good dogs without the usual health problems?

Thanks in advance.

[Boosted LS1]

Saw one of those gnawing on a bone once. It stood up and it's front leg fell off!

[moorx]

No personal experience, although I used to have a good friend who owned several before I met her and we used to talk about them, because I also owned sighthounds. One thing you do need to accept is that they are not usually the longest lived dogs. I don't think any of hers survived beyond 8 and one died much younger if I remember correctly. I think they can suffer from heart issues, like many of the big breeds. Also liver shunt I believe.

Depends how quickly you want to do anything, but you could visit Discover Dogs:

https://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/

[W12GT]

moorx said:

No personal experience, although I used to have a good friend who owned several before I met her and we used to talk about them, because I also owned sighthounds. One thing you do need to accept is that they are not usually the longest lived dogs. I don't think any of hers survived beyond 8 and one died much younger if I remember correctly. I think they can suffer from heart issues, like many of the big breeds. Also liver shunt I believe.

Depends how quickly you want to do anything, but you could visit Discover Dogs:

https://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/

Thanks for that - yes aware of those health issues and life expectancy, there are apparently some very responsible breeders that are actively working to improve the lines by avoiding breeding potentially troublesome (health wise) dogs in place of pure profit. We have been thinking about one for quite along time but always ruled out due to size however now we are in a better position to accommodate one (maybe even two).

Edited by W12GT on Monday 22 April 07:46

[johnxjsc1985]

Wonderful magnificent animals who wouldn't want one. As I only ever have rescue Dogs I haven't been lucky enough to have one in my family but who knows what the future. I suspect there will be a rescue centre for Irish Wolfhounds good luck with your search.

[anonymous-user]

When I took my Basset Pup to the local puppy training classes, he made friends with an Irish Wolfhound, and I made friends with the owner as we owned the two black sheep of the classes.

When we were doing recall exercises, the other pups were focused, if we were lucky our hounds would do it once before getting distracted and rolling round the floor and pouncing on each other much, to the disgust of the teacher.

Neither breed were the easiest to train, and had that aloofness that only Hound owners know. Her biggest issues were that she needed a car with a large and tall boot, he took over an entire sofa and had the most horrendous wind.

[Yertis]

I've always wanted an Irish Wolfhound. However, research led me instead to the Scottish Deerhound, a more racey and 'authentic' dog, also slightly smaller. However, Deerhounds are still quite enormous and I think still suffer with the similar short-life issues. Through a chance encounter outside Euston Station (of all places) I met a champion lurcher breeder and now have a rather marvellous whippet/deerhound/"bit of collie for brains" lurcher puppy. Wonderful dog

[deadslow]

my family kept Wolfies for many years (about 20 years ago). A fantastic, noble breed. Very friendly. Biggest danger is the huge tail, which clears a coffee table in a single swoosh and has been known to break a person's nose if sitting down near a happy wolfhound!

ours never had any health issues. Sorry, but cannot remember the breeder, but would not hesitate to recommend the breed.

[johnxjsc1985]

Found this it may be worth a look
http://www.irishwolfhoundrescue.co.uk/

[louiebaby]

There's one in the village, I see it some mornings walking the dog. It's huge.

Sample pics, because dog pictures are cool:



Cute pups though:

[johnxjsc1985]

louiebaby said:

There's one in the village, I see it some mornings walking the dog. It's huge.

Sample pics, because dog pictures are cool:



Cute pups though:

lets not forget that woman is 6' 2".
Just look at those puppies how could you not want one.

[Redchaz]

Hello W12GT,
they are the most magnificent dogs.
We have had two at different periods over the last 20 years and they are fantastic, loyal, gentle family pets.
They are brilliant with children. When we got our first one our children were in the region of 5, 7 and 9 years old and they loved him.
You obviously need a decent sized garden or access to fields.
You need to be careful to manage their joints by not allowing them to dash up and down stairs, for instance.
You clearly need a large vehicle with a reasonably low loading height.

BUT, I am not sure that we will have another one.
Our last one died over the Easter break of 2017, having been diagnosed with a twisted gut, aged 6 1/2 and it was heart breaking.

I would suggest that you get in touch with your local Irish Wolfhound Society rep and ask if they will bring one round to your house to see how you both get on. Our breeder insisted on it.

Good luck and best wishes
Charles

[johnxjsc1985]

Large Dogs do not live long that's a fact or is it. Our Bullmastiff refused to go anywhere until he was 14. He was kept on the lean side if his weight and exercised daily and had the company of two other Dogs. But in general Large Dogs will not live as long as Terrier breads but IMHO large Dogs especially the giant breed like Irish Wolfhounds or Great Danes are just incredible animals and should be cherished every day .
The other thing whether its 5 years or 15 years losing a Dog is always painful .

[Redchaz]

Temptation...........

[W12GT]

Redchaz said:

Temptation...........

What a seriously handsome beast!

Thank you for all of your replies, I have spoken with a owner whom has had a litter. He was very helpful and told me how he’d lost two of his under two years old. He was passionate about the breed and wanting to ensure that healthy lines are maintained as it was heartbreaking to lose two dogs so young.

My children are young and it is a concern as to how attached they will become vs the risk of losing the dog prematurely.

[moorx]

Could I ask what it was that drew you to having an Irish Wolfhound?

I think they're wonderful (although my first choice would be a Deerhound) but both breeds have their health issues. Perhaps one day, but personally I would be more likely to go for a lurcher or other sighthound, as there are plenty of those in rescue. You can get some really lovely rough coated lurchers too.

[johnxjsc1985]

I think if you have set your heart on a Irish Wolfhound nothing else is going compare. Its wonderful how we all have Dogs big and small that just fit and yet they mostly all do the same job in becoming a massive part of our families.

[Tango13]

Redchaz said:

Temptation...........

Years ago we were thinking of rescuing a Wolfhound so a friend of a friend visited with their Great Dane. The Dane saw something it liked the look of on the kitchen worktop so just leant over and scoffed it, didn't even stretch

[W12GT]

moorx said:

Could I ask what it was that drew you to having an Irish Wolfhound?

I think they're wonderful (although my first choice would be a Deerhound) but both breeds have their health issues. Perhaps one day, but personally I would be more likely to go for a lurcher or other sighthound, as there are plenty of those in rescue. You can get some really lovely rough coated lurchers too.

Difficultnto answer that one! Sometimes in life I am drawn to things, be it a house, a contract, a hobby, an animal or person - and I can’t always pinpoint what it is that has given me a spark so to speak. Have you ever looked a gorilla in the eyes and got a feeling you are looking straight into their soul? I get the same feeling when I’ve encountered wolfhounds - they just seem to have a depth of personality that I’d like to have in my life. I’m sure that will seem an odd description to most!

[Redchaz]

W12 GT I wouldn't over worry about the children having to go through the trauma of losing a dog at a relatively young age. They are extremely resilient.
If anything it affected me more.
I think that on balance the sheer joy that these beautiful animals give to a family outweighs the longevity issue.
If you have the time and the space to devote to them then go for it !