Frequently Asked Questions

     Female wolfhounds can weigh from 120-150 lbs, and males from 130-180 lbs. Yes, they are lap dogs. 

     No. Not even a little bit. 

     “Yes, about a Pekingese a day.” While this is a slight exaggeration, it’s not a lie. Wolfhounds have a double coat, with a warm undercoat and a longer, coarser top coat. Keep in mind where they originated; Ireland is not known for its sunny, tropical climate and wolfhounds have a coat to keep them warm outside through the winter. The shedding can be kept down with a weekly brushing, but it will never go away.  

     We refer to wolfhounds as “wash and wear” dogs. A weekly or semi-weekly brushing keeps them looking neat, and baths are an as-needed event. Trimming nails and clipping the fur around the tail end keeps them clean and healthy, and typically happens every 2-6 weeks. Our hounds tend to see the brush as a great chance for cuddle time, and we encourage you to take advantage of this time to bond with them. While professional groomers can be useful for nail clipping and hygiene grooming, regular full-body grooming can get expensive quickly. 

     A wolfhound's average lifespan is 7 to 9 years. 

     We aim for 12 weeks. We believe our puppies benefit from more time with their mother and the rest of the pack to learn good behavior and manners. Depending on your schedule, holidays, etc, we may release puppies slightly earlier or later.  

     Yes and no. Wolfhounds tend to adore children; children tend to be more reluctant. A wolfhound puppy can outweigh a toddler in a few months, and they have a toddler's coordination level. Their tails are strong, at a child's head height, and their paws are heavy with sharp claws. Families with young children should supervise interactions, as with any dog.   

     Most wolfhounds are very happy to sleep on the couch (or your bed, or your feet) for large portions of the day, with occasional breaks to run full speed around the yard for 10-20 minutes. They are not endurance athletes like a Husky or Dalmatian; while they need the space to get good exercise, they tend to be tired out after a relatively short time.