Desert Irish Wolfhound Association

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Before You Buy or Adopt

Irish Wolfhounds have not escaped the exploitation of commercial-type and other irresponsible breeders who are purely interested in profiting off the breed.

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When profit is the motive behind breeding, essential elements of their care, such as veterinary attention, proper nutrition, careful selection of breeding stock and health testing, are neglected for greater financial gain.

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Guidelines to keep in mind when adopting or buying:

• No puppy should be released to its new home prior to 10-12 weeks of age.

• Beware of puppies  that are being offered at a price substantially below the average for your area (approx. $2000 to $3000) or who seem particularly anxious to sell you a puppy and make unsubstantiated claims.

• Beware of any breeder who is willing to guarantee that a puppy will become a champion, or

• Beware of breeders who refuse to allow you to see the rest of the litter or dam. 

• Beware of breeders who do not ask you questions and/or bad-mouth other breeders.

• Beware of any breeder who produces back-to-back litters.

 

Every puppy at the time of sale should be accompanied by the following:

• Feeding instructions

• Medical records that include number and type of vaccines, dates of vaccinations, and date of de-wormings.

• 4-generation pedigree

• IWCA membership application

• Copy of Standard of Ethical Conduct

• Bill of Sale

• Copy of the breed standard

• AKC registration specifying Breeding or Non-Breeding.

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For reputable breeders in Arizona and surrounding areas, see the lrish Wolfhound Club of America Breeder Directory

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You may also contact us at DIWA for assistance in both locating reputable breeders in Arizona and for support in your search for an Irish Wolfhound puppy.

The more time you take in selecting your puppy, the healthier and more rewarding your puppy is likely to be.

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PERSISTANCE is the key to finding a responsible breeder that you like and feel comfortable with.  Do not be put off by a non-returned email or phone call.  Give it a bit and follow up again.  Follow any leads that you get for other breeders.  Often you may be referred to another responsible breeder out of our region who may have a litter.

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We encourage you to learn more about the breed as well by joining several Facebook groups and reading what other owners are experiencing or sharing.   Good groups on Facebook are:

"The Irish Wolfhound Community" predominantly UK owners but many US owners too.

"Irish Wolfhound Fellowship" not as active but very good information.

"Irish Wolfhound Club of America" not too active but very good information.

There are other groups but they are like the wild, wild west - a lot of first time owners giving out information that is very questionable.

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