Caring for your Irish wolf hound involves using common sense. Like all breeds, there are many do's and don'ts. Let's first address the do's. Exercise daily. This can be a game of chase, a long walk or playing with a favorite toy. Wolf hounds have short spurts of energy. They run for a few minutes, then rest. Of course, puppies run a little longer, then crash.

Only feed your wolf hound premium food. We like to use one that is especially for giant breeds. As a puppy, feed 2 to 3 times daily and use a giant breed puppy food. We also use vitamin and mineral supplements and yogurt in both adult and puppy diets. Make sure your wolf hound maintains a correct weight. Some can be too thin or too heavy; both can be problematic. Make sure you moisten their kibble and let it set before feeding, then no water for 1/2 hour. This helps to prevent bloat.

Because of their rough coat, brushing is necessary. Once to twice a week is preferred. Pay special attention to the beard area. Sometimes that needs a little washing due to food debris. Bathing is also needed, but not too often. Use a moisture based product ( I use people shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair), so the natural oils are not stripped from the coat. This also helps with excessive scratching. Nails should be clipped and filed. Ears, cleaned and trimmed. Although not a pleasant subject, hair around the anus must be kept trimmed to avoid painful build up.

Any giant breed or large dog with a deep chest can be a candidate for BLOAT. Bloat is a condition where the stomach actually strangulates. Unless immediate attention is given, the dog will die. Emergency surgery is needed at this point. Some giant dog owners choose to have the dog's stomach stapled to prevent this condition. If caution is used with careful feeding, this is not necessary.

Make sure you have a comfortable bed for your dog. Wolf hounds, like many other giant and large breed dogs, cannot lay on cement. If they are kept on cement, they may get cysts on their joints, mostly elbows.

Keep your dog in good health. While bathing and brushing, watch out for any skin irregularities, fleas ticks, wounds, etc. Check their ears, eyes and teeth often. If there is anything suspicious, go to the vet.

Give your wolf hound lots of love. Take him to obedience and teach him manners. These are smart dogs, don't let it go to waste.

House break your dog as soon as possible. We advise crate training as do most other breeders. This way, they think of their crate as a den, not a punishment. Also, when traveling, they need to be in a crate.

The don'ts are easy. Reread the do's with an opposing view. The don'ts not mentioned, but important, don't leave your puppy alone without supervision. He could destroy a room and hurt himself. Don't leave them alone with destructible toys, they'll eat them. Don't give them anything that could be consumed for chewing. Safe things are Kongs ( hard indestructible rubber with a hole in it),  filled with cheese or oatmeal and peanut butter. These guys have very big teeth and strong jaws. By no means give them any rawhide product.