There are serious things to consider before getting a wolfhound. I have listed them here in the hopes that you will use them. I love wolfhounds and want to see them remain the way they are and not be bred carelessly into something that doesn't fit their standard. The wolfhound is a very old dog. I am not sure how old, but they are described in ancient Celtic myths which pre-date Christianity.

BEFORE you buy

Find a REPUTABLE breeder. That means someone who has a good reputation with other wolfhound owners. There are wolfhound resources all over the Internet - use them. Ask questions. Both parents should be CHAMPIONS in the conformation show ring. A championship doesn't necessarily mean the dogs are perfect but dogs that are NOT champions should never be bred.

Ask to see both parents. Look for problems with hips, skin, coat and temperament which may be passed on to your pup. You want a physically and mentally sound dog. Remember - these dogs are huge and you don't want veterinary or behavioral problems. If the parents have problems, the pups will probably have problems. Ask to see medical records that show the parents to be HEALTHY and free from hip dysplasia, cardiac disease, and osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

It's HARD to find a wolfhound puppy. I got my first one because I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Mann was a gift from God and an acquaintance who heard that I had lost my little basenji girl on September 4, 1993 -the day Mann was born. I had to drive 750 miles both ways to get my second one after searching for 7 months. Mann was sold to me without papers on a pet contract. Oak was sold to me with all breeding and showing rights. I will probably never breed Oak, but I have started his show career (albeit a little late.)

Wolfhounds DEVELOP differently than smaller breeds. It isn't so much that they're born big, it's that they grow faster and much longer than other breeds. Because of this, good breeders keep their puppies until they are about 12 weeks old when they can be judged to be physically and mentally sound. You should be suspicious of any breeder who will part with a puppy before it is 10 weeks old.

Wolfhound puppies are EXPENSIVE for good reasons. It is expensive to raise a litter for 12 weeks. The price discourages "backyard breeders" who think to make money by raising them. And it discourages people who cannot afford them. My cost for just walking into the veterinary clinic is twice that for someone walking in with a Labrador or German shepherd just because of my dog's size. He eats about 2 pounds of kibble a day (60 pounds per month).

AFTER you buy

If you don't plan to show your dog, NEUTER it! It may keep him/her alive a little longer. Neutering will help keep your dog at home where he is safe. It discourages thieves who think they can make money by breeding them. Neutering also makes ovarian and testicular cancer impossible and, if spaying is performed early enough, breast cancer will also be improbable.

Wolfhounds have a very short LIFE SPAN as do most giant creatures. The year I lost Mann, I shared my grief with SEVERAL other people who lost their IWs at 6 years of age. Ten is extremely old for a wolfhound and beyond that is almost unheard of. This short life is something you should especially consider if you have children. How old will they be in 6 years? Losing a pet is especially difficult for teens.

FEEDING is something you should research. You do have to be very careful with the feeding of a wolfhound puppy. They require less proteins than most puppies and "large breed" formulas are for LARGE breeds - not GIANT breeds. Most breeders recommend ADULT formula foods for wolfhound puppies. The protein content should never be over 26% and probably should be about 21%. If the pup starts looking thin, add some fat to his diet since fat content is generally relative to protein content.

SOCIALIZE your puppy. Take him to obedience classes. Take him to the park. Anywhere you find people, you can teach your puppy to be nice to them. One easy way to socialize is to carry your pup to the vet's office once a week for weighing. Pick a day that is not as busy (no Saturdays!) and call ahead to make sure you are welcome. Most vets don't mind and you will be amazed at what you see. Encourage the office people to pet your pup and offer him a treat. This will also help later when the pup has to see the doc for more unpleasant tasks.