THE IRISH WOLFHOUND
THE IRISH WOLFHOUND SOME BASIC INFORMATION
The information provided here is the property of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America and is printed with permission from the parent club.
C ongratulations on your new Irish Wolf- hound! To help you enjoy your IW and to promote the well-being of the breed, the Irish Wolfhound Club of America would like to provide you with some basic information. THE INSTINCT TO CHASE IS STILL STRONG, SO A FENCE IS IMPORTANT The IW is an ancient breed of the greyhound fam- ily. He was used to hunt wolves and elk and to accom- pany Irish nobles to war. The instincts originally developed for the chase are still very much a part of the modern hounds. Therefore, for their own protection and to main- tain good relations with your neighbors, it is impor- tant that they not be allowed to roam freely. A conven- tional wood or wire fenced yard is essential. Breeders should insist on it. If you don’t have a fence, you’ll need to be with your puppy every time he goes outside. This can be difficult in a busy household. Puppies can be very destructive when confined to the house, which argues even more strongly for a fenced area. THE BREEDER OF YOUR PUPPY SHOULD BE A VALUABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION Besides adequate exercise, your IW will need pro- fessional veterinary care, vaccinations, good quality food, and basic training and socializing. The growth patterns, nutritional needs, and treatment for health problems are not the same for a giant breed as for small dogs. Reputable and conscientious breeders are
committed to their puppies for life, and should be willing to help you with advice and support for any problems or questions you may have. If for some reason you lose touch with your IW’s breeder, or you simply want to find others near you who share your interest in IWs, the IWCA can provide you with names of knowledgeable owners in your part of the country. Educational materials are available through the club and in book stores. Some of the better resource materials are listed on the back of this brochure. The club magazine, Harp and Hound , is available through membership in the club.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2022 | 207
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