To Breed ..... Or Not To Breed?
 

 


 The decision to breed your IW should not be taken lightly. You should not even be considering producing a litter of puppies unless you are prepared to devote the time, energy and funds to give them a good start in life and to keep every puppy until a suitable home can be found.

The expense of producing and raising a litter can be quite large and proper homes for IWs are not always easy to find. Neutering your IW is a simple and relatively safe alternative that has many health benefits as well.

If you decide to take on the commitment of breeding your IW, the IWCA urges you to proceed responsibly. Like every AKC-registered breed, Irish Wolfhounds have an approved standard that describes a model of how the ideal IW should look, move and behave. Responsible breeders strive to produce hounds which conform to this standard.

 Adult Male IW

They will not breed animals with serious deviations from the standard, and certainly not breed any IWs with serious health problems or known genetic defects. They carefully screen potential homes, help educate new owners, and bear lifelong responsibility for the puppies they produce.

If for any reason the owners cannot keep the puppy, responsible breeders either take the puppy back or provide help in locating a new and suitable home, regardless of the age of the hound.

It is very unfortunate for the dogs and for the breed as a whole that some individuals do not adhere to these ideals.


The IWCA has an active network of rescue coordinators who help place Irish Wolfhounds needing a new home, and who also rescue abandoned or abused IWs.

See the National Rescue Directory, or contact the National Coordinator, Jean A. Minnier, for more information.

 

 



Some Recommended Reading

 


  The Magnificent Irish Wolfhound by Mary McBryde (UK edition, Ringneck Press/Interpet
         Publishing, April 1998)

        This book was published in the US as The Irish Wolfhound: Symbol of Celtic Splendor by
               Mary McBryde (US edition, Howell Books, May 1998) - different cover, same contents

The New Complete Irish Wolfhound by Joel Samaha (Howell Books, 1991)
 
 Playtraining Your Dog by Patricia Gail Burnham (St. Martin's Press, January 1, 1986)
       (note: a bit dated, and not entirely positive training)

 Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson (Warner Books, 1992)

Don't Shoot The Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor (Bantam,
       revised 1999)

Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs by Karen Pryor (Sunshine Books, 2002)

Clicking With Your Dog: Step-By-Step in Pictures by Peggy Tillman (Sunshine Books, 2001)

Child-Proofing Your Dog: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children in Your
       Life by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson (Warner Books, 1994)
 

For an extensive list of books, fiction and non-fiction, see the IW Booklist

 

Publications available from the IWCA:

(To purchase, please contact the club secretary, Judy Simon, for price and shipping costs.)

THE IRISH WOLFHOUND by Captain Graham and THE IRISH WOLFDOG by Father Edmund
       Hogan, S.J. (Combined volume).

Irish Wolfhound Registrations in America 1965-1975 - Compiled and Edited by Patricia K
       Huntley

 A Discussion of the Irish Wolfhound - IWCA, privately printed

 

The Harp & Hound, biannual publication of the IWCA.

(H&H is available with membership only.) 

and see our "IW Booklist" page for much more!

 

 

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