Our Puppies:

The way we live with our hounds automatically limits the number of litters we produce. Plus, we always want to keep at least one puppy for ourselves. Our puppies come from show quality breeding stock which exemplifies the breed standard and is deemed healthy as evidenced by appropriate test results for the health issues recommended by the Irish Wolfhound Club of America (IWCA). We have all our hounds tested for inherited eye disease and have cardiac ultrasounds performed in regular intervals to monitor cardiac performance throughout their lives. Our puppies are predominantly being placed as companions with limited AKC-registration. This means they are not sold as show and/or breeding stock. Purchase price is $ 3000.

Puppies are born inside our home and every week, get access to a larger section to meet their developmental needs. Depending on the weather, they begin to have outdoor time on their own puppy playground at around 5 weeks to explore their world. We allow visitors to come see the babies starting around 5 to 6 weeks of age to observe the litter and pre-identify the one(s) most suitable for their respective lifestyle. Final decisions will be made between 9 and 10 weeks of age, after the liver shunt results are in and we have settled on our keeper(s).

It is important to us that our buyers have a choice among available puppies. While we certainly make recommendations based on personality and potential fit, we respect the choice of each family and provide continued support after placement. Even the person who comes for the last available puppy has the option to wait for another litter or to be referred to another breeder if so desired. We want our puppy buyers to be happy with their selection.

We guarantee our puppies to be free from congenital diseases, including liver shunt, megaesophagus, ectopic ureter, umbilical hernia, cleft palate, hydrocephalus, and/ or heart disease.

Our “ideal wolfhound home” has had a wolfhound before, or at least experience with a large, preferably giant breed. There should be plenty of space, ideally acreage (minimum 1 acre) with a visible fence of at least 4 feet. We have a clear preference for individuals, couples, and families without children. We only select  homes with flexible work schedules where someone is home for the most part; in this respect, retirees are a perfect fit.

We only rarely place a puppy with a family with children between 0 and 18 years of age. Young adults still in the home and visiting grandchildren are welcome. While wolfhounds are absolutely wonderful with kids, experience has taught us that, after the initial excitement, the puppy‘s needs begin to come second. As children grow up and explore their world, the previous “best friend” is left behind.  In addition, families with children tend to be so busy that there is simply not enough time left in a day to properly raise a puppy the way we want them to be raised. While exceptions are being made on an individual basis, most families with small children and/or very active children are better off with a different, less “needy” breed.

Please know that we occasionally have an older puppy for sale (6 months & up), most frequently after the adult teeth come in, and after we have made our final decision about our keeper(s) from a particular litter. Should you be interested in such a started youngster as a companion hound (leash trained, housebroken, excellent manners, and well socialized), please check back frequently and use the ‘Contact us‘ form. Every once in a while we also have a retired show dog for sale, with all health checks, who may be an excellent option for someone new to the breed, someone who does not have the energy and time to raise a puppy, and/or someone who wants a wolfhound “ready to go.” Inquiries for such a hound can be made via our ‘Contact us’ form.

To get on our waiting list: 

1. Please complete our questionnaire with all relevant information. Please provide a sufficient amount of detail instead of answering the questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ We commonly review completed questionnaires within 48 hours upon reception and get back with you via email. Please note that we will not get back in touch with you if you don’t have a securely fenced yard of sufficient size to properly exercise a wolfhound.
2. Prepare for a conversation over the phone to discuss the breed and your personal situation, to answer questions, and to determine whether a visit to meet us and the hounds would be worthwhile for both parties.
3. If we mutually agree that an Irish Wolfhound from us would be a good choice for you and your family, please plan for a visit. These visits commonly last around 2 hours and are very educational in nature. The best part is that you will be able to experience the breed “hands on.” Please note that we never place a hound, puppy or adult, sight unseen. We care deeply where our hounds go and that’s why want to meet the families who will continue what we started. So, please don’t think we just want to waste your time or complicate your life by driving out to rural Ohio.
4. After a successful visit, you will be placed on our waiting list for our next litter and you will start to receive relevant communication (mating, pregnancy, birth etc.) We do not require a deposit until puppies are on the ground and we know we have one for you.

 

Our next litter is planned for 2025. Serious inquiries from people who love the breed as much as we do and are able and willing to meet its needs outlined above are always welcome.