Finding an Irish Wolfhound Puppy (Puppies for Sale)
#boondocksirishwolfhounds where Integrity is more than just a word.
What a Prospective Owner should know:
Responsible breeders Do Not advertise in newspaper classifieds, Puppyfind, Next Day Pets. Responsible, ethical breeders do not breed to supply a market. They have waiting lists and do not hand over a puppy simply in exchange for the asking price. All will have a contract to be signed by the puppy buyer. They will not advertise on the internet sites specifically for the commercial sale of puppies. They will however utilize the AKC Marketplace, their Websites, or on a Facebook page.
Expect many questions about your accommodations, lifestyle, expectations, etc. I do want to make sure that an Irish Wolfhound is a good choice for you and your family. I highly encourage everyone to come for a visit. It is a great opportunity for you to see my hounds, how they live and interact with new people.
Personally visit the breeder. Buying a puppy sight unseen via the internet is not advised. Claims of "superior grand champion heritage", "top bloodlines", "longevity", "bloodlines incomparable", "outstanding pedigrees and genetics", without substantiation is just another way to lure buyers. Claims of "Premium Quality" ask them according to who, Irish Wolfhound Breeder/Owner/Judges or All Breed Judges. If they are not involved in the breed clubs, attend Irish Wolfhound Specialty events, or known to other IW breeders and owners, it is advisable to look elsewhere.
If the breeder only attends ALL BREED SHOWS, they are only interested in acquiring a Champion (CH) in front of the dog's name to sell more puppies. Many times I have seen the ad claiming "we do it for the love of the breed", if they do not attend Irish Wolfhound Specialties to have their dogs evaluated by Irish Wolfhound Breeder/Owner/Judges they are attending All Breed Shows for the "love of the green." In all honesty, with a Professional Handler in the All Breed ring, you can finish a dog's championship, regardless if he has temperament issues or they are a awful example of the breed. A Professional Handler could put lipstick on a pig, call it a Irish Wolfhound and win.
Ask: How many litters per year do you have?
Ask: Do you Liver Shunt Test your puppies? (If the answer is No, please walk away, as they are putting profits over the health of the puppy.)
Ask: How many times have you bred the same female, how many litters of puppies has she had?(If she has been bred more than 3 times please walk away, as they are only interested in pumping out puppies for profit.)
Ask: If you show your dogs, how many Irish Wolfhound Specialties do you attend?
If they claim "We have proved our lines and traveled a lot and nothing compares to our lines out there." but do not attend Irish Wolfhound Specialties under Breeder/Owner/Judges, the claim is meaningless. They are only interested in putting titles on their dogs to SELL MORE PUPPIES.
Ask: About Health Testing of the breeding pair - both Sire and Dam should have Cardiac work-up, eye exam, clear hips and elbows. (Board Certified not their local vet)
Ask: About their knowledge of the Breed Standard. (If they claim they breed to the AKC Breed Standard, they no nothing about the breed. The Irish Wolfhound Club of America is responsible for the writing of the Standard of Excellence not AKC.)
Ask: About their New Home Support - How well does the breeder provide support and information to new homes? Do they provide Puppy Packets which should include care information, feeding information, grooming, health information.
When you visit, look for a clean, safe environment. Puppies and adults should be healthy, happy and well cared for. Spend time with the puppies and their mother. Please be suspicious of her absence and excuses as to why she is not there or you are not allowed to see her. Ask to see the sire, he may not be owned by the breeder, in that case expect the breeder to have pictures, pedigree, health and his testing information. Do not be impressed with "USDA Inspected", they only have to adhere to very minimum standards set forth by the Animal Welfare Act. Inspections are "risk based" meaning that facilities that meet a certain criteria are inspected as seldom as once every 2 to 3 years. No license should ever be seen as a safety blanket when it comes to buying a puppy. The License does not provide any assurance of humane breeding practices and certainly does not promise health or quality. Unfortunately, the USDA has 115 inspectors in charge of over 12,000 facilities across the country that range from dog breeding operations, factory farms, animal testing facilities, zoos and even transportation companies. Most of the dog breeders that have some of the worst violations are USDA licensed, inspected and approved to breed.
There is no such thing as a "RARE" color in Irish Wolfhounds, someone advertising "rare black", "rare blue" or "rare white" and charging a substantial price increase, should be avoided. Furthermore, a reputable breeder will sell all puppies for the same price, regardless of gender, full versus limited registration.
Irish Wolfhounds are Sighthounds - they are fast, strong and have an instinct to chase what ever runs away. They need a securely fenced area in which to exercise and responsible breeders will require an above ground permanent fence. So called "invisible fences" will not keep them in and will not protect them from other persons or animals coming into your yard. They require a good amount of exercise and CANNOT be allowed to roam at large. Letting Irish Wolfhounds roam at large is highly irresponsible and exposing them to all manner of horrible deaths or accidents, from a farmer shooting them because they are chasing livestock, getting hit by a vehicle, or getting caught up in field fencing (barb wire).
You should be informed of breed related problems such as bone cancer, heart disease, bloat, anesthesia risk and liver shunt.
Responsible, ethical breeders will not allow the puppy to go to their new home at 8 weeks of age. Normal is between 10 & 12 weeks, and only after Liver Shunt Tests are done. You should also receive a copy of the lab results.
Liver Shunt Testing is very important and it is the responsibility of the breeder. Please do not let the Puppy Find advertisers convince you that the testing is not necessary. The reason they do not test is because it will eat into their profits, which is all they care about. #itsallaboutthemoney #forprofitonly #fortheloveofthegreen #miwrmassproducer #greenbacksinmyslacks
No litters are bred with the intention of selling all the puppies to others.
We do not sell puppies for show or breeding. All puppies that we do not keep to show ourselves, regardless of their excellent quality, are sold to loving companion homes.
Irish Wolfhound Standard of Excellence
General Appearance - Of great size and commanding appearance, the Irish Wolfhound is remarkable in combining power and swiftness with keen sight. The largest and tallest of the galloping hounds, in general type he is a rough-coated, Greyhound-like breed; very muscular, strong though gracefully built; movements easy and active; head and neck carried high, the tail carried with an upward sweep with a slight curve towards the extremity. The minimum height and weight of dogs should be 32 inches and 120 pounds; of bitches, 30inches and 105 pounds; these to apply only to hounds over 18 months of age. Anything below this should be debarred from competition. Great size, including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body, is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a race that shall average from 32 to 34 inches in dogs, showing the requisite power, activity, courage and symmetry.
Head–Long, the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between the eyes. Skull, not too broad. Muzzle, long and moderately pointed. Ears, small and Greyhound-like in carriage.
Neck–Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about the throat.
Chest–Very deep. Breast, wide.
Back–Rather long than short. Loins arched.
Tail–Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness, and well covered with hair.
Belly–Well drawn up.
Forequarters–Shoulders, muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under, neither turned inwards nor outwards.
Leg–Forearm muscular, and the whole leg strong and quite straight.
Hindquarters–Muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in the Greyhound, and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.
Feet–Moderately large and round, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Toes, well arched and closed. Nails, very strong and curved.
Hair–Rough and hard on body, legs and head; especially wiry and long over eyes and underjaw.
Color and Markings–The recognized colors are gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn or any other color that appears in the Deerhound.
Faults–Too light or heavy a head, too highly arched frontal bone; large ears and hanging flat tothe face; short neck; full dewlap; too narrow or too broad a chest; sunken or hollow or quite straight back; bent forelegs; overbent fetlocks; twisted feet; spreading toes; too curly a tail; weak hindquarters and a general want of muscle; too short in body. Lips or nose liver-colored or lacking pigmentation.
List of Points in Order of Merit
- Typical. The Irish Wolfhound is a rough-coated Greyhound-like breed, the tallest of the coursing hounds and remarkable in combining power and swiftness.
- Great size and commanding appearance.
- Movements easy and active.
- Head, long and level, carried high.
- Forelegs, heavily boned, quite straight; elbows well set under.
- Thighs long and muscular; second thighs, well muscled, stifles nicely bent.
- Coat, rough and hard, especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.
- Body, long, well-ribbed up, with ribs well sprung, and great breadth across hips.
- Loins arched, belly well drawn up.
- Ears, small, with Greyhound like carriage.
- Feet, moderately large and round; toes, close, well arched.
- Neck, long, well arched and very strong.
- Chest, very deep, moderately broad.
- Shoulders, muscular, set sloping.
- Tail, long and slightly curved.
- Eyes, dark.
GCH RBIS BISOH RBISOH Boondocks Atlas Shrugged (Shrug) 28 months old - Scott County Kennel Club - May 11 & 12, 2018
#boondocksirishwolfhounds where Integrity is more than just a word. #WolfhoundGuardian
#boondocksirishwolfhounds where Integrity is more than just a word. #WolfhoundGuardian