health of the irish wolfhound.

So you want an Irish Wolfhound. Great! Welcome to the club. But first; let’s talk about something important- the health of the magnificent Irish Wolfhound.

Meeting an IW for the first time leaves you thinking they’re darn near indestructible. But not quite- despite their intimidating size, they are an incredibly vulnerable breed. All dogs are susceptible to certain health issues. Educating yourself to these problems can help you later down the line, if anything were to happen with your beloved Hound. Their health, if not advocated for and monitored closely- can lead to serious problems later in their life.

Let’s cover the top serious health issues that Wolfhounds can be born with or develop. Click on the link below to be directed to the IWCA to learn even more.

  1. Heart Disease

  2. Cancer

  3. Bloat and Torsion

  4. Pneumonia

  5. Liver Shunt

While the above conditions are not as common, the less serious but more common issues are:

  1. Joint Issues

  2. Megaesophagus

  3. Eye Disorders

  4. Seizures or other Neurological Disorders

  5. Low Thyroid Levels

  6. Rear-End Weakness

  7. And more

We provide our puppies with health tests, vaccinations, care and diet tips, and liver shunt testing. Unfortunately, some things are simply a result of old age. But education in proper supplements, proper diet and exercise, can help avoid most of these issues for as long as possible. We will be with you every step of the way. If you ever have questions on how to properly care for your Wolfhound, we are always available to answer questions. Many questions can also be answered by researching your questions on Irish Wolfhound Club of America, found here.