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ABC's of Irish Wolfhounds Puppy Tales: Find a person in your area for help and information
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Frequently Asked Questions about Irish Wolfhounds
Q. Can I use underground fencing for a wolfhound? A. No, wolfhounds have a high tolerance for pain as well as a strong prey drive. If they can see something of interest on the other side they will ignore the shock. Once outside the perimeter hounds would have to be shocked once again in order to cross the wire to go back home. Regardless of what trainers and manufacturers say, the "buried" fence does not provide the security needed for sighthounds. Q. Should I buy a puppy or wait for a rescue? A. Accepting a rehomed or rescued adult into a new home can bring as much joy as that new puppy. Patience is needed to acclimate an older wolfhound to new surroundings and people, but it is remarkable how well this breed can adapt. A puppy is a joy to watch learn, grow and develop. Both require love, attention, energy, space, and time you have to offer. Please read the articles on this website for further information on this topic. 'Older hound or puppy' article Q. The breeders I want to buy a puppy from insist on feeding a raw diet. I'm not comfortable with that. What should I do? A. It is important to have a good relationship with the breeder. Express your concerns and be honest as to why you do not feel you could follow the raw diet (finding raw food sources, fear of an unbalanced diet, handling raw food, or whatever your concern.) Honesty is the best long term solution for the mutual care of your new puppy. 'Nutrition' article Q. Do I have to groom my wolfhound like a show dog? A. If you mean to keep your hound's toenails clipped, his ears clean, and his coat brushed the answer is "yes" but should you "roll" the coat, strip the ears, and sculpt around the shoulders, not necessarily. That degree of grooming would be important if you wanted your wolfhound to look like a "show" quality animal. Grooming is a way of showing love and care but certainly not the only way. Q. How much does a wolfhound cost? A. When strangers ask that question at the public events, the owner may laugh and say, "$35,000". Consider the fact that you need a big enough car (van etc), a large fenced yard or acreage, food, vet fees, toys, bedding, and the initial cost of $1200-1800. Finally and most important is the new owner's ability to handle unexpected large vet bills that may occur. Q. How much do wolfhounds eat? A. For a kibble plan, 4-6 cups puppies, 6-8 cups adults, and for growing adolescents maybe up to 12 cups a day. Please remember to break this up into two feedings. Please read additional articles for more details. Q. Can I crate my puppy? A. Only for short periods of time. Exercise is essential for muscle and bone development. Being confined to a crate all day could impede development. Q. Can I put a saddle on my wolfhound? A.Owners may charge $5 for horse jokes. Please not even for small children should an owner consider "riding" a hound. The wolfhound does not have the strength in his back for such activity. Q. Can my puppy climb stairs? A. If they are allowed, they will. 'Carpal Vulgas' Q. Can my wolfhound get in bed with me? A. If they are allowed, they will. Q. Will a wolfhound hurt my cat? A. If they are allowed, they may. Some dogs are more prey driven than others. There is no guarantee. You hear stories all the time about how their hound loved their cat, until the doorbell rang. Q. Do they shed? A.Yes. There are only four or so breeds that don't. Q. Do wolfhounds chew? A. Yes, especially while teething (4 months). Keeping them in bones will help redirect their energy to less destructive behavior. The preferred bones are large marrow bones from the meat department, no less than six inches long. Q. Do wolfhounds dig? A. Check out the picture!  Q. How do you cut toenails? A. Start young puppies by playing with their feet and getting them used to being held. Once used to this then bring out the clippers. Consult dog grooming drawings so that you know just how far to cut. If in doubt just take off a short bit at a time. Remember to keep some coagulant powder or styptic powder handy just in case the nail starts to bleed. If your dog has dewclaws, don't forget to trim those, too. Q. Are wolfhounds good with children and the elderly? A. This breed is known as the GENTLE GIANT. Even though they are gentle, consideration must be given to their size and strength. They can get excited like any dog and swish that body around like a linebacker. With young hounds, special caution and close watching may be the reasonable choice. Q. Do wolfhounds get along with other dogs? A. Yes, they are a pack animal and tend to enjoy the companionship of other dogs. Warning; however, when attacked by another dog they will react. As the adage says, "Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked." Usually they ignore the tiny agitators. Q. How do I introduce my dog to the other members of the household? A. There are several steps to assure a quiet meeting. First of all plan the meeting after a meal or after exercise. It is best to use neutral territory where possible. Formal setting at a class or on a leash may also give each dog a sense of security. Most problems occur when dogs are placed in tight quarters. Space often solves most problems. Q. How long do they live? A. Various studies from several countries show lifespan is between 6.5 to 7.6 years. However, a new study using a different statistical method has arrived at longevity at 7.8 years. Q. Can I get one this week? A. The wait maybe as long as a year or more for a pup from an ethical breeder, but it is worth it. 'Check list for choosing a breeder' |
