Health issues
Along with their great size, Irish wolfhounds have some health issues. Wolfhounds are the result, to some extent, of encouraging the gene for giganticism. Their size is the result of rapid growth over an extended period of time. Because of this breeding program, the heart and bones take a lot of punishment and can lead to health problems. BEFORE you decide to add a wolfhound to your family, you need to understand those problems and be prepared to deal with them. Ask your veterinarian to discuss these issues with you. If he is not familar with giant breeds, find someone who is.
Severe cardiac disease is on the rise in wolfhounds which are bred carelessly. The heart is a muscle which pumps blood through the body. When the body is oversized, the heart works much harder. In this particular breed (which is known for its very short, incredibly fast "exercise" runs) the heart works even harder. Most pet wolfhounds are a bit overweight and don't get steady exercise. This can aggravate even a minor heart problem. There is a study going on right now to try and find a way to stop this killer of hounds. You can learn more about it by visiting the web site.
Osteosarcoma is cancer of the bones and has a high instance of occurance in wolfhounds because of the stress involved in rapid growth. The only real recourse is to amputate the limb involved. Unfortunately, wolhounds do not take well to losing their limbs and it is generally kinder to leave the limb and let the pet die a dignified death.
Hip dysplasia was once unknown in wolfhounds but is now a very real threat. Hounds with dysplasia should NEVER be bred but many irresponsible breeders feel it is not a factor in their program. Hip dysplasia causes a great deal of discomfort for the dog and eventually leads to complete crippling.
The bursae sacs are located in joints to cushion the bones and prevent them rubbing together. In wolfhounds and other large breeds these sacs can swell and produce unsightly looking lumps (golfball to baseball sized) called hygromas hanging from the elbows and hips. These swellings are best left to themselves NO MATTER WHAT the veterinarian tells you. If left alone, they go away. If treated, they come back again and again and cause you misery and cost you dollars. We have discussed them on the mailing list and the general concensus is that dogs who "flop" onto the floor get them, more graceful dogs do not.
Along with these "type specific" problems you also have the run of the mill, everday ailments which plague the canine world. Be prepared to pay much higher invoices at the doctor's office. Giant dogs require MORE of everything to accomodate their size and your bill will reflect it.