Irish Wolfhound puppies

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Irish Wolfhound puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A giant breed puppy at eight weeks is already heavy and will keep growing for up to two years. Controlled growth matters more here than in any other size class, so a large breed specific puppy food and no overfeeding. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire it out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Inherited eye disease, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
• Dilated cardiomyopathy, screened by echocardiogram and Holter monitor, and tracked by the breed's own health group scheme
• Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with a deep chest, signalled by retching without producing vomit and a swollen abdomen
• Osteosarcoma, detected by radiographs of a persistently lame limb
• Hip dysplasia, assessed by joint examination and hip radiographs
• Elbow dysplasia, assessed by clinical evaluation for lameness plus imaging

From Irish Wolfhound breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/hound/irish-wolfhound/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your Irish Wolfhound puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Giant for a Irish Wolfhound.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 47.6 to 54.4 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other giant breeds

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