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Irish Wolfhounds (IW) can be as tall as 35 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 180 pounds. So if you're considering getting an Irish Wolfhound or you already have one, you should know that you're in for a "big" commitment. The Irish Wolfhound, like the Russian Wolfhound, is not the best choice for new and inexperienced owners. This slow-growing breed grows for about 2 years in its short lifespan of 6-8 years, going from the size of your palms to a 100 pounds puppy within 6 months of age. Photo Credit: Paul Plummer/Flickr CC As the name suggests, ancient Irish Wolfhounds were used by the monks in Ireland to hunt wolves. It might surprise you that your furry pet puppy was once considered a valuable gift among royalties, reserved for the highborn. Feeding Feeding such a big dog is surely going to be a financial challenge for you. Even though the diet varies with age, if you have an Irish wolfhound, get ready for the large food bills. Initially, you will have to strictly follow the diet from which the breeder you got it. If your puppy does not start eating normally right after you get it, don't panic. A starvation diet has proved to be an effective way to get dogs to eat. Cut the portion to a quarter of his regular diet and gradually increase it. This method will get your Wolfhound to eat normally within days. If you want to alter the diet, do it very gradually after a word from the vet or the breeder. Make sure that you get fresh and good quality food only. Exercising As puppies, their bones and joints are still growing. Long forceful exercises can hurt them. Thereby, a controlled, well-ordered exercise is the best way to go. Small walks and short spouts of running and playing are enough for your puppy in the first few weeks. As it grows, increase the time gradually and spread the work throughout the day. Do not let your puppy go up and down the stairs, as it can hurt his knees. Make sure to provide a large enough space for your IW to exercise. Training Caring for a dog of that size comes with great responsibility. An untrained Irish Wolfhound would become trouble for not only you but also for people coming over and neighbors. Even with their ginormous appearance, Wolfhounds are pretty sensitive beings. The best way to train them is through positive reinforcement. Praise your big softie for good behavior, and be gently firm when he gets naughty. Encouragement and reward result in efficient training. The best training time is the first few months. Irish Wolfhounds tend to be lazy and clumsy in the early stages, but with kind yet firm training, you can make your IW obey. Patience and consistency will come in handy while training your pup. Use small and clear directions like Sit, Stay, Come, etc. Teething Wolfhounds' teeth are just like any other dog, but with their jaw size and strength, you need to be extra careful during this period. Their jaws are strong enough to chew away your kitchen cabinets or your ancient furniture. Photo Credit: Nikky/Flickr CC Nylabones or flavored chew toys are the best ways to keep your puppy from chewing off your house. Also, you should try not to leave them unattended during teething. If you have to, make sure that the environment is non-tempting. Cost The experts at the Irish Wolfhound Club of America say, “On average, the IW is fairly an expensive dog to maintain.” After getting it, it could cost you a minimum of $120 (£105) per month. You would have to spend on vaccines, medicines, neutering, and buying necessary equipment, including collars, tags, leashes, brushes, toys, etc. Food, vet bills, training costs, and dog walkers are also necessities. You may have to invest in a big car for your hound to fit in. Moreover, you would need a large space or a garden for training and exercise. If it is difficult for you to care for your puppy financially, you can opt for PDSA pet insurance. Socializing Irish wolfhounds do not appreciate alone time. They like to socialize with their fellow dogs and all the humans surrounding them. So, feel free to take them outside and introduce them to new people once you’re done familiarizing them with all the family members. However, note that some types of the Irish Wolfhound mix do not appreciate excessive exposure to strangers all the time and will appreciate only sticking around known faces. At the start, you must have strong control over your puppy in case he becomes intimidated by traffic or any other event. Irish Wolfhound, like Samoyed or Shih Tzu, is great with children. However, you should exercise caution while letting your kids play with the Wolfhound. Even as a puppy, the hounds are big and strong enough to knock your child off the feet during innocent play. And if he develops the habit of chasing after kids or running in the house, he would also want to do it as an adult. You may also opt for puppy socialization classes to provide exposure to your Wolfhound. The more he socializes, the more cheerful and confident he becomes. Irish Wolfhounds make terrible guard dogs because of their immense love for people. Rawdon B. Lee writes in his book Modern Dogs, "Exuberantly affectionate, yet stately and sedate… So many are the great qualities of the Irish Wolfhound that he is sure to win friends and, when won, to hold them." Grooming Irish Wolfhounds are pretty low-maintenance dogs. They are easier to groom than Russian Toy Terriers. They do not need regular brushing or baths like other long-haired dogs, such as Shih Tzu. Shedding is minimal as compared to other dogs. You would have to clip the nails and clean the ears every 4-8 weeks. As long as stripping the coat is concerned, hand stripping twice a year, at home is enough for your wolfhound. You could also use a shedding rake to define body shape. However, considering their Health & Neutering In terms of puppy dog health care, veterinary visits every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 4 months old are necessary. After that, get your dog checked, at least once a year. Some common health concerns for Irish Wolfhounds are gastric torsion, elbow and hip dysplasia, osteosarcoma, cardiomyopathy, liver shunt, and retinal atrophy. Males can be neutered by 6-8 months and females by 12 months. Conclusion Adopting big dogs means an even bigger responsibility. Before adopting an Irish Wolfhound, you should do plenty of research on its behavior and needs. Never hesitate to ask for professional help in any regard. Caring for a Wolfhound puppy will require a lot of time, money, and patience, but you will have your big furry buddy to get home to. View featured articles on our website.