So a few months later I arrived at my client’s house to find a bunch of people and 14 giant Irish Wolfhounds in the living room to where I would begin to speak and answer questions about my philosophy of dog training. American Hairless Terrier is the only dog that does not shed, and that is because of an obvious reason. Kelly, Nettlemere, Wayne, and Deborah, thanks for taking the time to comment. Is not eating the first symptom? I do know that this is not the norm and I only wish that their lifespans were much longer. They contain glucosamine, and since he will probably develop arthritis they may delay the onset. Deborah Neyens from Iowa on March 12, 2013: The unfortunate thing about all dogs is that their lifespans are so short relative to their human companions. It may not fit well in a small or compact car. Wayne Barrett from Clearwater Florida on March 12, 2013: I love your article. The Irish Wolfhound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1921. She sounds like she was a great dog. Is there any way you can say how long she will be with us? As far as a ramp, just make something at home with a sheet of thick plywood. Hamlet's still spry, agile, and sometimes puppy-like when he plays. A thorough brushing once a week or so will help to remove dirt and loose hair and keep the dog looking his best. Irish Wolfhounds are extremely prone to a life-threatening digestive syndrome called bloat. If your wolfhound is younger than 18 months old, start him off with 5-minute walks. The cost of their health care will far exceed the money they save at purchase. Some also have elbow dysplasia, another musculoskeletal problem that would be easier to deal with in a small dog. The average though is about 7 years, and only about 28% are even going to make it to 10. Anyone who has ever owned one of these great dogs knows that health problems are a big worry. Unfortunately, Irish Wolfhounds have short lifespans, and they're prone to heart disease, bone cancer, and bloat. (I have a picture here of a 200 pound Newfie, not a 15 year old Newfie, so I am certainly no better). Be wary of prices far above or far below the average. They were originally bred to hunt boar and other large game and had their ears cropped to prevent injury. Sep 29, 2014 - Explore Nancy Pinegar's board "Irish Wolfhounds" on Pinterest. How much do they cost? I have provided a link to the IWCA. Choose a breed that lives longer. We did also lose some at 7 and 8 years but our average lifespan was 10 years 7 months. Once you have connected with your Wolfhound, you have been given a gift of a profoundly honest bond with a dog, who loves you because he chooses to do so, – not because he needs to. Irish Wolfhounds The Irish Wolfhound looks as if he might have stepped out of a medieval tapestry. My hubby loves those breed. I've owned, trained, and bred A LOT of canines, but I've never known a dog like Hamlet. Besides disease and genetics, the other important factor determining a dog´s potential lifespan is his behavior. For the average purchase price of an IW puppy, check with a contact person(s) in your area. Its because they are GIANTS. It causes problems and they die young, just too much strain on their small heart. These tall dogs were developed to hunt wolves in Ireland, but by the late 1800s there were only a few left so they were crossed with Great Danes, Scottish Deerhounds, and Borzois to produce a genetically healthy pool of dogs. The Irish Wolfhound is difficult to find and expensive to purchase. Question: Do Golden Retrievers die young or old? Willing and eager to please, they are unconditionally loyal to their owner and family. If you do not want a dog that only lives six or seven years, choose one of the breeds that will live a long time. Still have questions? Unfortunately, Wolfhounds do not live to a great age though there are exceptions. During the main period of growing it is very important not to overstrain the puppy. Six to eight years is a very short lifespan for a companion dog, but that's all you get with most Irish Wolfhounds. Keep your dog very thin. Why all these giant gentle don't last longer but those baking tiny dogs can lives so long.The dog average height is 85 cm, and Great Danes is 80 cms. In addition, Wolfhounds are frequently stricken at an early age by crippling joint and bone disorders, by heart disease, and by cancer. Irish Wolfhounds need a fenced yard to keep them from chasing prey away from their yards. They also have several inherited heart diseases, like dilated cardiomyopathy. In general, Irish Wolfhounds are not known for being big barkers. The only suggestion I have on your diet is to add plenty of chicken feet and beef trachea instead of plain meat. Our other Dane, a harl named Grendel, is a little younger than Hamlet and cost us four times as much, but he already has a little arthritis. In a twenty year study on the lifespan of the Irish Wolfhound, conducted by Gretchen Bernardi and the University of Missouri, it was noted that even if all the dogs that died of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and gastric torsion were removed from the study, there would no significant improvement in the average lifespan of this dog. Although Irish Wolfhounds have been known to live up to 13 years, most of them die much younger—seven years or less. I dread the day when I lose mine, but I am so grateful for the time that I have had them in my life. Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on March 12, 2013: Before I clicked on your hub from the feed I sadly knew that Newfs would most likely be on your list. There are some bloodlines that seem to live longer than others, but no difference has been found between dogs and bitches. The Irish Wolfhound has many wonderful traits, but he is by no means the right breed for everyone. Norma Lawrence from California on May 24, 2016: Beautifully written article. Do you have children?If so… Personally, I suspect it has to do with long term inbreeding, as is often the case in purebred animals. This is an article stating some of the more prevalent problems of large and giant breeds. Bone growth issues, intestine issues, and enlarged hearts. When a dog is large a problem with the hips or a cruciate ligament tear and arthritis make it hard to get him in and out of the house. If you are looking for a long-lived breed, the Irish Wolfhound is not for you. I really enjoy reading about dogs especially when it pertains to my dogs. Almost everyone knows of the St. Bernard because he was bred as a rescue dog in the Alps. Irish Wolfhounds do not make good guard dogs although their size can be a deterrent to a would-be intruder. daily food consumption . They are afflicted with big dog problems like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. The average lifespan of an Irish Wolfhound is 6-8 years. Only about 9% of the dogs will even make it to 10 years of age. Published lifespan estimations vary between 6 and 10 years with 7 years being the average. There was a survey done in the UK back in 2004—only one dog of the hundreds followed made it up to 15. The Irish Wolfhound Clubs are very active in doing research to increase the lifespan of this breed. Nettlemere from Burnley, Lancashire, UK on March 12, 2013: This is a very useful article and I agree with your conclusion that there's no way to be confident of getting one of the giant breeds to live longer. It is worth a try. The first died of heart failure, the second viral-mediated organ failure and the third from a heart attack after anesthesia for an MRI, which discovered inflamed blood vessels in her neck. Irish wolfhounds are some of the most generous and gregarious beings, I have ever come across. Thanks for such an informative article! Some of the dog breeds are even considered to higher the possibility of an allergic response. It is a good effort. My son had ramps, fed him the best food. We also have friends (Amber Holmes & the Emorys) who have been co-breeding and helping to continue our lines for the last 10 years. They are so far removed now from the orginal dog package that they start to develop physical problems. Personally, I err on the side of caution when feeding giant breed puppies. This breed is satisfied with short walks every weekday and a long one on weekends. I'm terrified of losing my fawn male, Hamlet. Build ramps and other aids to minimize joint stress and delay the symptoms of. If you want a pet that can accompany you for a longer amount of time, consider a small dog such as a Chihuahua or Toy Poodle, that have an average lifespan is 17 years. She lived to be 2 months shy of 14 years old. Kelly from New England on March 12, 2013: What a great article, I voted up! The average life span for a Boxer is about 9 years; only about half of them make it as long as 10. i read on wikipedia that they live only 4-9 years is this true and if so why are their life spans so short, alot of good answers so im going to have to put this question to vote. They are mutations. I remember one hub where you said that you can take him out and show him the boundaries and he does not try to escape like the others. You can try the life-extending suggestions in this article, but even without heart failure and cancer most of the dogs die young. Because Irish Wolfhound bond so close to their families – they do not belong in a kennel, and we do not place any puppy with someone who prefers it to be an outside-dog! If the dog breed you have chosen is prone to cancer, you can try omega 3 fatty acids. Gentle Giants, fierce warrior of myth both describe this breed, this … We force various breeds into forms that nature never intended them to have. Breeding more than we do would mean compromising on how we live with our dogs. This great dog was originally a farm dog and was bred to be big enough to pull carts. They will disregard commands if they see something interesting. We have had three, and all died before they were five. Holle Abee from Georgia on March 21, 2013: No, I got Hamlet from a former student whose dogs had puppies. When I first researched about acquiring a Wolf Hound, I was utterly shocked to hear about their short lifespan. Irish Wolfhounds and barking. An Irish Wolfhound would most likely chase and nip at your livestock. I hope he stays with you many more years--I´ve seen his photos in your hubs and realize what a special dog he is. On average, the IW is a fairly expensive dog to properly maintain. 2. Who will be primarily responsible for the dog's care? With early socialization and training, he'll be gracious toward other dogs and forbearing of indoor cats. In France the Irish wolfhound is known as lèvrier crève-coeur (the heartbreak hound) because it seems they have such a short lifespan. https://pethelpful.com/dogs/dog-long-life. To add to answer to Why do Irish Wolfhounds only live a short time? They are calm and careful with their huge bodies. It needs to be part of the family and would be very unhappy in a kennel. Much has to do with the source of the protein, whether it's sourced from meats vs. grains, etc. The average lifespan is about 7 years, and due to the hard work of good breeders, many of them are now reporting that their dogs are averaging closer to 10 years. How to get my boyfriend on board with new dogs sleeping arrangements ? Their insulin levels are lower and this may be what accounts for their longer lives. Irish Wolfhounds require at least 40 minutes of daily exercise and do best in a home with a large fenced yard. Some have a strong inclination to chase cats and other smaller prey. Their lifespan is much too short. Males are at least 32 inches tall, but most are closer to 36 inches tall, and female are at least 30 inches tall, but often closer to 34 inches tall. Should sterilization of female dogs be prioritized over the male dogs or any other factors to consider(details inside)? They actually tend to have short lifespans, and are susceptible to disease/bone cancer. Answer: One thing you can do to improve her chances is feeding her a raw, high-protein diet. If you are looking for a long-lived breed, the Irish Wolfhound is not for you. Like all big dogs, the Great Dane is prone to hip dysplasia and bloat. Ol' Hammie was cheap, too! A lot of the dogs are very healthy when young, and then later suffer from obesity, arthritis, and cancer. However, Irish wolfhounds are often aggressive or dominant towards other dogs of the same sex. There is just no way to describe in words how special they are. [41], Like many large dog breeds, Irish Wolfhounds have a relatively short lifespan. It sounds like he had a good seven years, though, but those genetic diseases...well, you already know and have had to deal with this. Dogs that act up tend to be dumped at the local shelter, killed by animal control, or put down by a local vet. http://www.upei.ca/cidd/Diseases/cardiovascular%20... unfortunately as one person above stated the dont suffer, I have to disagree they SUFFER immensely from all these ailments. The dogs are large. I wish you the best of luck. 1. They may die from heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy), bone … 8 and 10 years 7 months life spans and an abundance of health conditions can. Many times judges have said to me, I voted up do you and family... 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