Puppy Information

Thank you for enquiring about our breed.
It is important that you should, wherever possible visit the breeder so that you can see the puppies, as a litter with their mother, and on the breeder’s premises. Even though you may have to make considerable effort to visit the breeder, it will be in your best interest to take as much trouble as possible to find the right puppy to suit your circumstances.

Please read the following advice before purchasing a puppy

  1. Except in exceptional circumstances, you should always be able to see the puppy’s mother
  2. Visit where the puppy was born, regardless of how far you have to travel
  3. Get a written receipt for the puppy. Carefully read and understand any conditions imposed by the breeder
  4. If the puppy is Kennel Club (London) or Irish Kennel Club (IKC) registered, the Registration Papers should be available when you pay for the puppy
  5. All puppies should be provided with some health insurance to cover the first few weeks with their new owner
  6. The breeder should give you a diet sheet (and preferably also a few days’ supply of their current dog food)
  7. After-sales help should always be available from the breeder, throughout the life of your puppy
  8. Reputable breeders will not be prepared to sell puppies without meeting prospective buyers and will not sell puppies to people who are out at work all day, leaving the dog unattended
  9. Confirm that the parents of the puppy have been heart tested within the last year in accordance with the IW Health Group heart testing scheme
  10. Confirm that the puppy has been tested “clear” for Portosystemic Shunt (liver shunt)

Questions for Puppy Buyers

Ask the breeder:

  • How long have you been an Irish Wolfhound owner?
  • How long have you been breeding Irish Wolfhounds?
  • How many litters do you typically have each year?
  • Which Breed Clubs do you belong to?
  • Which Shows do you typically exhibit at?
  • What successes have you had when showing your Irish Wolfhounds?
  • What are the positive traits of this breed?
  • What are the negative traits of this breed?
  • What health problems does the breed/variety suffer?
  • What is their average life expectancy?
  • What endorsements, if any, do you put on the puppy’s KC/IKC papers?
  • What should we do if we ever need to re-home a dog we have bought from you?
  • What written information on diet and rearing do you provide?
  • What inoculations, if any, will the puppy have had when we get it?
  • What insurance cover, if any, do you provide with the puppy?
  • How many of these puppies will you be keeping yourself?
  • Will you be showing any of this litter?
  • How much grooming do they need?
  • How much exercise do your dogs get and how much will my puppy need?
  • Do you heart test and liver shunt test your Irish Wolfhounds?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expect to be asked:

  • Are you out at work all day?
  • If you work part-time, how long will the dog be left alone?
  • Have you had a Irish Wolfhound before?
  • What other dogs do you have, if any?
  • What other pets, if any, do you have?
  • If you have children, how old are they?
  • Do you have a garden?
  • Is your garden well-fenced?
  • Do you live in a flat, or a house?
  • Do you live in the town, or country?
  • Why do you want a Irish Wolfhound?
  • Do you intend to show your Irish Wolfhound?
  • Do you intend to breed from your Irish Wolfhound?

The answers should give you a pretty good idea about the breeder’s motivations for having the puppies, the way they keep their own dogs and the sort of after-sales service you are likely to get.

This advice was compiled by Anne Moore (Secretary of The Dachshund Club (UK)) & Ian Seath (Secretary of Eastern Counties Dachshund Association (UK)), edited by Ian Finney and Max Finney.