Irish Wolfhound

It’s important before becoming an Irish Wolfhound parent to consider any possible health issues. Not every dog suffers from them, but it’s good to be prepared.

Speak to your vet to find out which conditions your Irish Wolfhound might be at risk from. Some vets offer ‘pre-purchase consultations’ which can advise on health risks, management, and related costs.

They can also help you find a responsible breeder if you’re buying a puppy, or advise on testing for genetic diseases. 

Any breed of dog needs basic preventative healthcare like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. Pet insurance is also important to help cover your vet bills.

There’s no set amount for how much food your Irish Wolfhound needs. This depends on their:

• age
• size
• activity levels
• fitness
• weight

The information on dog food packets can be a helpful guide, but you still need to adapt the portion size to your dog’s individual needs.

It’s helpful to know your Irish Wolfhound’s body condition when deciding how much food to give them. You can find out about body condition scoring through the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WVASA).

Check with your vet to find out more. 

Irish Wolfhounds are usually moderately active dogs who need regular exercise and stimulation to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they need training and benefit from daily enrichment.

If you enjoy regular time outdoors, this breed could be a great match for you.

Irish Wolfhounds need training like any other dog, as well as daily enrichment. When exercising your Irish Wolfhound, think about their:

• age
• health
• personality

Young, growing dogs may need a few shorter walks. Whereas older, ill or injured pooches may need an exercise plan tailored by your vet. Some may need quiet, calm walks while others benefit from more sociable strolls.

Check with your vet for advice on exercising your dog. 

Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately. To ease your dog into handling and grooming, introduce it step by step and in a positive way. Your dog feeling relaxed and confident will make grooming more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

When in their crate, your dog should be able to comfortably:

• stand up at their full height
• turn around without touching the sides
• lie down and stretch out
• wag their tail

Slowly build up the time your dog spends in their crate to help them feel positive about it. They should associate it with good things happening. 

Each dog has their own personality and individual experiences of the world. So, each dog has their own temperament. 

Two Irish Wolfhounds, for example, may have very different ways of reacting to certain situations. They also have different likes and dislikes. Some dogs might love socialising with other puppy pals while others may not. One might crave excitement while another finds a more relaxing atmosphere enjoyable. 

You really can teach any dog new tricks. The key is positive learning. Find out what gets your dog’s tail wagging with excitement. Snacks or toys are popular choices, or even lots of praise. Whatever it is, you can use it as a reward during training to help them enjoy the learning.

Make sure to work on useful life skills like recall, loose lead walking and settling with your dog. This will help you both feel relaxed and confident in tackling your daily life together.