I've been reading about Irish Wolfhounds. Do they really attach themselves to a family and if that family passes on They die. (Won't eat)?

Were looking for a "easy" Trainable Guard dog. We've moved into the country, yet it seems this areas full of 4-wheelers (motorcycle type) that wants to drink beer and party up next to the barn.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks Kenneth

-- Kenneth (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), August 26, 2000

Answers

Kenneth, We have English Mastiff Dogs and they are large enough (ours weighs 200 lbs)that most people do not want to mess with them at all. We get some people who look at our house just to see the BIG dog,and I'm sure some people didn't come to meet the new neighbor due to the BIG dog but oh well. When my kids get off the bus you can usually hear at least one kid say "look at that big dog". Of course with big dogs can come big vet bills!!

-- emily (bellyacresfarm@kyk.net), August 26, 2000.

Kenneth, I don't have any experience with Irish Wolfhounds, except that an acquaintance had two (might still have, we've lost touch), and they were very sweet & gentle dogs. I went past his van in the dark, not knowing they were in there and not having yet been introduced to them. They didn't start lunging and barking, rather they were whining and begging to be let out. But they are huge.

I found a couple of sites you might find interesting. The first is a discussion group about them -- you could probably post your question there and get the answers you need.

Irish Wolfhound Discussion Group

This next one is for the Irish Wolfhound Club of America. They have information about the needs of one of these large dogs. IWCA

You can also do a websearch on "Irish Wolfhound rescue" and turn up lots of links to rescue organizations, which might be a good way to get a perfectly wonderful dog, whose only "fault" was that s/he got to be too big and strong. Good luck!

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), August 26, 2000.

We knew a fellow who raised Irish Wolfhounds -- he loved them but said the downside was a short lifespan, like maybe six years. I know some of the giant breeds do have shortened lifespans, so it is something to ask about on those discussion groups.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), August 26, 2000.

I would also imagine they are hard to find and hence will probally be exspensive .They also tend to have health problems. Look into other large breeds a German shepard of good quality would do the trick .Look for one out of working lines with hip and elbow clearances. If money is an issue start looking at the ponds they always have shepard mixes . As long as the dog is big and barks most people won't stay around to see if it bites .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 26, 2000.

Searching the web for rescue groups works too, though Wolfhounds may be rare. Iam friends with the rescue director of the Midwest chapter and can pass that info on ifyou decide this is the breed youwant to persue. Personally I have American Staffordshires, they are long lived and have few health problems. They are excellent watch dogs, Just their appearance is enough to keep strangers away. There are many AmStaffs and APBTs in pounds and rescues. Take some time to decide what breed or mix is best for you, you're making a lifelong commitment.

-- Dianne (yankeeterrier@hotmail.com), August 27, 2000.

I've had two Irish wolfhounds. I love the breed but there are a few things from my own experience that you may want to think about. You may find your dog regularly needs vet trips. My first wolfhound was subject to skin problems and ran hundreds of dollars in treatments. Not to mention a bath every few days. Still he was devoted to me. In fact he was so devoted that he became overprotective. They are not the most intelligent breed, and I never succeeded in any real obedience training with him. My male was not very good with children and I eventually placed him in an adult household where he thrived.

My second wolfhound, a female, again became devoted to me, but for some reason (we got her as an adult) she didn't take to any other household members, and after she snapped at my husband for the umpteenth time, I found a home for her with a lady and the two of them are very happy together.

On the plus side, this breed seems to have a real sense of humor. They are gigantic companion dogs, love their comfort (you will find them lounging on your sofa or bed - they are so big they seem to like some kind of padding to lay on). They are magnificant animals and when our kids are all grown and on their own I will certainly have another one. Just know that if you want a blindly obedient dog, this may not be your breed of choice. Also, the female got along fine with the livestock (horses, cows, goats, etc), but liked to "play" with the chickens, and when she got loose, she liked to chase wildlife (NOT GOOD). She did intimidate outsiders though, even when she was just trying to say hello.

As far as beer drinking parties going on by your barn, I'd get myself a few good natured mutts and put them on guard duty. That is how we keep trespassers out of our living and barn area. They raise a ruckus fit to wake the dead (or exhausted) if anything comes up the driveway or into their territory. We take over from there.

-- Anne Tower (bbill@wtvl.net), August 27, 2000.

Hi Kenneth,

I, too, have always wanted an Irish Wolfhound. If and when they reintroduce wolves into the Olympics, I will probably start breeding and selling Wolfhounds. They are supposed to be one of the best dogs for predators like coyotes, wolves and big cats, party animals and thieves. If you go with the Irish Wolfhound, keep us posted how the dog is working out.

Since I was a child, I have kept the same mixed breeds. I am on my fifth Queensland Heeler/Border Collie mix. They are the forefathers of the Australian Shepherd without the problems af an AKC pedegree.

Yes, they are the heel pinchers, agressive, run strangers off the property, nobody gets out of their car kind of dog. They love children and accept your friends without a hassle. Strangers are terrified of them, but our friends don't have any problems with them.

They are easily trained for almost anything, have lots of energy and are the best all around farmdogs. They can be goofy but they are never useless

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), August 29, 2000.

LOL! I sat here for some minutes trying to figure out WHY anyone would reintroduce wolves to "the Olympics" and what kind of sport THAT would be! I finally realized you meant the Olympic mountain range!

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), August 29, 2000.

After reading these post I may just go with a Big Boned German Shepard. We have 2 Miniture Pinchers now. They think there full size. LOL

My wife wants a "PET" with "Attitude". I'm sure the REMC (pwr co.) meter reader will love that. I put up some metal stobs near the pipe line that seems to have deterred some (95%) of the bikers. FYI I painted then Bright Orange. Some neighbors have theirs camo. I wanted no excuses for "not" seeing them.

Thanks to all that have answered my questions.

Kenneth

-- Kenneth (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), August 29, 2000.

If you go with a full blooded German Shepard , look for a breeder that has ofa [hip] cetification and also elbows .You will pay a little more but its worth it .You should also look for some one who does either obed. or some type of training.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 30, 2000.

irish wolfhounds are really neat dogs. Some are very good with children and others are not. You need to find a honest breeder. They do need to be socalizied. But a friendly warning, never teach them to attack or bite people. Seen quite a few wolfhounds put down because they were trained to attack, and they become one of the most dangerous dogs out there. They are also a sight hounds. Even with very good training they sometimes take off at very high speeds to catch what ever it is they are chasing. They can also jump fences as high as 6 1/2 tall. It is best to get them as puppies and train them with your family members,, be it people or other animals.

-- Bergere (autumnhaus@aol.com), August 30, 2000.

I am laughing now, Joy. It took me a minute to figure out what other Olympics there are besides mountains and park! I am waaay off the beaten path of the information highway. Laura

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), August 31, 2000.

I just found an ad in are local paper for wolfhound and German Shepard mix puppys . Are you close to NY ? [upstate by Massena]

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 31, 2000.

Hi Patty, I'm in North Carolina. 38 miles sw of Charlotte,NC in the wee town of Kings Mountain. (actually on the NC/SC border)

My wife's friend found several wolf/sheppard crossed dogs for sale about 30 minutes from here. Were riding up there next week. If it's not to much trouble will you e-mail me the info on the Irish Wolfhounds/Sheppard dogs? (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com) Thanks.

Kenneth Bush

-- Kenneth (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), August 31, 2000.

EEK! Ken, maybe you were just saving time in typing when you said wolf/shepard crosses, but there are people who are crossing real, genuine WOLVES with dogs. Are you sure these are wolfHOUND crosses, not wolf hybrids?

Don't want to start a big discussion on the controversial subject of wolf hybrids, but will say that only people very experienced with working with them should even consider owning one. My opinion, of course!

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), August 31, 2000.

Ooops Irish Wolfhound / German Sheppard Cross. (blushes)

I did own a wolf hybrid once. It was the best guard dog I've ever had. Lived 10 years. (miss it)

wizard

-- Kenneth (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), September 01, 2000.

I have a wolf hybrid. He's a doll-baby, great with kids. I am, however, the alpha dog in his pack and all it takes is one look from me to make him lay down and grovel. Since he weighs about 94 lbs, strangers don't usually get out of the car - especially with the Sheltie barking and carrying on. He's the one who'd more likely bite!

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), September 03, 2000.

Patty, We called about the pups. No concrete answer yet. My wife rescued a female 7-week pup 1/2 Lab & 1/2 Rottweilder. Here in NC it cost $80-90 to get a puppy or kitten out of a animal shelter. I've watched them haul out dump truck loads of animals. It makes me so angry that people care so little for their pets. With the new costs I doubt even 1/100 will get rescued. It's now a 85% certainity that your condeming a pet if you drop it off at the pound. Nuff said. Touchy subject.

-- Kenneth (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), September 04, 2000.