Irish Wolfhound Archives

Irish Wolfhound History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Cornovi Irish Wolfhounds website.

Here you will find information on our hounds past and present, together with advice for anyone thinking of taking on a Wolfhound for the first time on the responsibility of living with this wonderful breed.

I have owned, bred and shown Irish Wolfhounds for almost 30 years and usually have a small number of hounds, no more than 7 or 8, all living in the house and part of the family which we believe Wolfhounds should be.

For information and advice on finding puppies please click the link to the left.

Wolfhounds are a wonderful breed, I can't imagine living without them. The' Gentle Giants' adage is true and they are wonderful family companions. But at the heart of it they are still the sighthound they were intended to be. So as a first time owner, you need to be aware of the general characteristics.

They will chase anything that runs away from them. They may kill sheep and chickens; odd hounds might be OK in this respect but always work on the basis that they chase. They grow very big. I never cease to be amazed when people who have already bought a Wolfhound say they didn't realise the dog would ....grow this big ....be so boisterous....eat so much.... It really is a case of having to do your research first. However when their 'childhood' is over, they are the most easy going relaxed hounds to have around. Wolfhounds are a long boned breed and as such puppies need very careful rearing to prevent damage while growing.

At 6 months a Wolfhound puppy will weigh in the region of 100lb, but will still have the playfulness of a puppy like any other breed; imagine having a toddler around you - it's much the same. They need human companionship. DO NOT buy a wolfhound puppy and then leave it all day while you go out to work, it is nothing short of cruel. If you intend to have a kennel and run in the garden - not our ideal situation, but if you do then never kennel a Wolfhound alone. For a dog this size crating IS NOT AN OPTION - if you need to do this in order to go to work, then don't get a dog. Because they are big, it doesn't mean they need to live outside - quite the opposite, they seek the company of people and are best suited to a home environment.

PUPPIES

Are available very occasionally to carefully vetted homes.

Contact us by EMAIL for details of litters due.

Sometimes we may know of older hounds needing re-homing.

RESCUE.

There is an excellent breed rescue which can be contacted here -


BEST BOOK ON THE BREED

Before you think of having a Wolfhound - do your research. The Magnificent Irish Wolfhound, written by Mary McBryde is about the best book you can get on this subject.

BREED WEBSITES

 

 

 

 

HEALTH MATTERS

Our biggest enemy in any long boned breed is cancer. If we want to improve the longevity of our breed it is important that we contribute to these projects when we can. Information on how you can contribute to any of these projects can be found on the Health Group Website.

 

 

OSTEOSARCOMA PROJECT

There is an ongoing research project into bone cancer in the wolfhound. They need cheek swabs for the project, especially if a hound is over 8 years old.

REGIONAL HEART TESTING

Give your hound the benefit of a full heart check, including an ultrasound scan for a fraction of the normal cost.

Go to the Irish Wolfound Health Group website to see heart testing sessions in your area or find out how you can help with the research projects.

LIVERSHUNT PROJECT

The IW Health Group is collecting information on the incidence of Livershunt in Wolfhounds here in the UK, therefore are collecting information from clear and affected litters and cheek swabs for DNA research into the cause of the condition.

HOME RESIDENT HOUNDS LIVERSHUNT REARING ADVICE RESCUE LINKS

ART BY NINA HARVEY.......

CH. CORNOVI CATO

Visitors to this Site.

Irish Wolfhound Rescue
Click here for the IW Health Group Website