Irish Wolfhound

Feed a high-quality dog food matched to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and ideally formulated for large breeds. The food can be commercially manufactured or homemade with a veterinarian's supervision and approval.

Monitor how much food and how many treats you give, since these dogs are prone to gaining weight as they age. Reduce portions if your dog gains weight, because maintaining a lean body condition protects the joints. Amounts vary from dog to dog by size, metabolism, and activity level, so talk with your veterinarian and consult the feeding guide on the food packaging.

This breed can be susceptible to bloat and GDV, a serious condition, so take precautions at mealtimes:

• Break food into several meals a day rather than one large meal, feeding an adult about every 12 hours.
• Use a slow-feeder bowl to slow the rate of eating.
• Avoid a raised food bowl.
• Do not let your dog exercise right before or after eating, and wait at least an hour after meals before any running or vigorous activity.

Your veterinarian is your best resource for further recommendations. Irish Wolfhounds may also benefit from added omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), found in fish oil and some skin and joint supplements, which support the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and heart. Never give your dog a supplement without speaking to your vet first.

Irish Wolfhounds have a double coat: a harsh, wiry outer coat over a soft undercoat. They shed throughout the year but not excessively, and unlike many double-coated breeds they do not blow out their coats during an annual or semi-annual shedding season.

The coat does not mat or knot easily, but a thorough brushing once a week removes dirt and loose hair, reduces shedding, and keeps the dog looking good. Every six months, the coat should be hand-stripped by plucking or using a stripping rake to remove dead hair. Bathe with a dog-specific shampoo for wiry hair every one to three months, as needed for odor and appearance.

Trim the nails regularly, since overly long nails are painful and can cause problems walking and running. Check the ears, and if you see wax or heavy debris in the ear canal, schedule a vet exam; your vet can also recommend ear cleaning products.

Brush the teeth at home and schedule professional cleanings. Good dental hygiene matters for long-term health. Watch the eyes too, and contact your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.

Irish Wolfhounds need exercise throughout their lives. As adults they can become couch potatoes if allowed, but long walks or play sessions keep them physically and mentally healthy. A home with a fairly large fenced area is where they thrive.

They retain a strong instinct to hunt and chase and will give chase to anything they see, so let them loose only in securely fenced areas and keep walks on a leash. Take particular care around small animals such as cats or rodents.

They also enjoy canine sports that work mind and body, such as tracking, agility, and lure coursing. Most do not bark to excess, but they will alert you when something is amiss.

Some develop separation anxiety when left alone, so they should not spend hours apart from their family; more physical and mental activity helps prevent anxiety. Consider their giant stature when planning space, especially in homes with limited room.

Irish Wolfhound puppies take 18 months or more to mature. As puppies they can be troublemakers, sometimes destructive, and possibly prone to injuring themselves when left alone for long stretches. Give them reasonable access to age-appropriate free play, but not with adult dogs and with no forced exercise.

Begin socializing your puppy as soon as you bring them home, and consider puppy training classes that use positive methods only. Ask your breeder how they approached socialization too.

These dogs are intelligent and learn fast. They crave the company of their people, and their sensitivity to humans makes them strong candidates for therapy work. Because they are eager to please, positive reinforcement trains them easily.

Irish Wolfhounds are generally calm, gentle, and easygoing. Most are comfortable with children and other dogs when introduced and socialized early, and animals this size are best supervised around small children.