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EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE
Bringing an Irish Wolfhound puppy into your life is a unique and rewarding experience.
Known as the gentle giants of the dog world, Irish Wolfhounds are intelligent, affectionate, and loyal companions.
Whether you're an experienced owner or bringing a puppy home for the first time, thoughtful preparation and a calm, consistent approach will give your puppy the best possible start in life.
This guide covers:
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Preparing for your puppy's arrival
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The first night and first few days
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Building routines and getting to know your puppy in the first six months
BEFORE YOUR PUPPY COMES HOME
Choose a Reputable Breeder
Start by selecting a breeder who prioritises health, temperament, and responsible breeding practices. A good breeder will be transparent about health testing, happy to offer advice, and will want to stay in touch after you take the puppy home - for the whole of the hound's life. The Irish Wolfhound Club has its own puppy coordinator,s who can put you in touch with recommended breeders supporting modern best practice.
When looking for a reputable Irish Wolfhound breeder, there are a few points you should be aware of:
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The mother should be at least 2 years old and in good health; the father should be at least 18 months old.
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The puppy should come with the parents' clear heart testing certificates.
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The breeder should offer a contract outlining the support on offer, along with: the Royal Kennel Club pedigree of the parents, the puppy's Kennel Club registration, the puppy's clear liver shunt test result, and the puppy's microchip number. (Confirm directly with the breeder whether puppy insurance is included, as this varies.)
Read through the Irish Wolfhound Health Group page and its associated links before visiting a puppy, so you know what should be provided and why.
Most reputable breeders won't ask for a deposit - but they will want to conduct a home visit, either themselves or through a nominated party, to assess whether your household can meet the needs of a giant breed.
A visit to the breeder's home is also an essential part of the process. It's your chance to meet the breeder, the mother, and sometimes the father, along with all the puppies — and to get a real sense of the breeder's ethics and standard of animal husbandry.
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THINGS TO LOOK FOR
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Are the puppies thriving
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Are they alert
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Are they healthy
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Are they inquisitive
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Are their eyes, noses, bottoms, ears clean
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Are there any runny stools left in the puppy area
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Is the area unkempt or unclean
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Are the food and water bowls clean
BREEDERS
You shouldn't expect to visit a litter before the puppies are 6 weeks old, and you shouldn't expect to take a puppy home before 10–12 weeks — unless you're an experienced owner already well known to the breeder, then it can be around 9 weeks. During this time, the breeder will ensure the puppies are vaccinated appropriately, learn some vital skills, and are microchipped.
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Most breeders provide 4 weeks of free insurance cover, to protect the puppy during the transition from their birth environment into your home and to support you should any issues arise in that period. You should still arrange your own insurance ahead of collection, so you're fully covered from day one.
By the time you collect your puppy, they should have had a few vet visits already — for their liver shunt test, microchipping, and initial vaccinations. It's worth asking the breeder how much socialisation the puppy has had to noise, people, vehicles, traffic, and other animals, and whether they've started toilet training or getting used to a collar and lead.
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Puppies are usually fully wormed and flea-treated before collection, but check with the breeder so you can keep up the same schedule for any doses due in the following weeks.
On collection day, the puppy will typically have been fed and given time to settle. You should receive a puppy pack containing all the documentation outlined earlier, along with a meal plan and a supply of the food the breeder has been using. Stick with the same diet initially - a sudden food change on top of leaving their litter and family can upset a puppy's stomach, so it's best to hold off on switching until they've settled in.
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If at any point you feel uneasy or unsure while dealing with a breeder, contact the Irish Wolfhound Club's puppy coordinator - they'll be glad to help with any questions.
Welcoming an Irish Wolfhound puppy
Preparation - Breeders