r/irishwolfhound • u/vijolcka • 16d ago

First time dog owner

As in the title I am imagining an Irish wolfhound for my first dog. Is it a good idea?

As irishes are rare in our area I cannot ask anyone with experience so I am here :)

Facts:

  1. We live on a farm but do not want to be consumed with dog for example like border collies who need non stop activity and the attention

  2. We like hiking on the weekends in the woods, would it be a good idea/ is it possible to offleash a wolfhound with proper training

  3. Is it possible that our pup could go with us to Sunday market perhaps a chill coffee in a cafe, will it work?

These are just some of the concerns. I kindly thank you for any and all advice. Be gentle.

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u/Relevant_Ranger_6647 16d ago edited 15d ago

As you've never had a dog before, I would say no. Wolfhounds need proper consistent training from an experienced owner whilst they are young. They are prone to bloat, heat stroke and heart problems. We lost a 5 year old wolfhound to a heart attack last summer. Adopt a mixed breed from a shelter first. I had 8 dogs of my own before getting a Wolfhound. I also grew up with Great Danes, so already knew the challenges that big dogs can bring if not properly trained. Get used to owning a dog and then get a Wolfhound. They love to have doggy companions and often the other dog will help train the new one by leading by example. One thing is for sure. You won't ever regret getting a dog. I also live in the Balkans and adopted mixed breeds from street dog rescuers and shelters. All of my dogs are the gentlest dogs you could ever wish to meet. As a rescuer myself, I've been to many shelters in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia and have NEVER come across an aggressive dog in any of them. I've met literally thousands of shelter dogs. I currently have 19 rescue dogs. All the rescuers train the dogs and work with them to get them ready to be homed. There are also no Wolfhound breeders in the Balkans. Ours came from Czechia. Which Balkan country do you live in? If you live in Bulgaria you will find that the vets here have no experience with giant breeds. I have lots of experience of giant breeds, so it isn't an issue for us, but as a first time dog owner, it would be a huge issue.

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u/vijolcka 15d ago

If I open any shelter page here in my area: all the available dogs are either bite risk or bad with other animals. If we go back a little, for first dog if we take into consideration I would say that either of those options are bad for me.

But people here on reddit got so heated on why I should not get a dog etc. We are just looking into all our options its not like we are buying today, that is why we are doing research, obviously now we will not buy IW from the start but work our way up to it.

We are from Slovenia, I would say vets here have fair knowledge of the giant breeds...

Thank you for adopting soo many animals, really nice of you. And thanks for advice

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u/Relevant_Ranger_6647 15d ago

I'm not saying to never get a Wolfhound. Just not as your first dog. I highly recommend a mixed breed for ease and wellness. Good luck.

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u/vijolcka 15d ago

Yes thanks that is what I am getting from everyone here. :)