Irish Wolfhound breeders

The breeder, the subject who deals with the breeding of companion animals, can do this activity both at a professional and amateur level to be recognized within the group of Irish Wolfhound breeders, although the two activities differ in practice regarding the necessary health authorizations and the fiscal rules related to the agricultural enterprise. Irish Wolfhound breeders that practice this activity at an amateur level, in order to be defined as such, must respect legal parameters described in detail in law 349/93, entitled "Norme in materia di attività cinotecnica", published in the Official Gazette in September 1993.

Irish Wolfhound breeders or our Emilia Romagna Region are private sobjects that have not particular fiscal obligations if they respect the breeding of less than three broodmares and/or ten puppies per year in the norm of Regional Law 17 February 2005, n°5.

Our kennel "Arkham" is located in Parma and is an ENCI recognized Irish Wolfhound kennel. Although it is part of the amateur Irish Wolfhound breeders, we have engaged ourselves from the very beginning to comnsider it as a professional. Inside our breeder the dogs live in large environments and during the day they can run free inside a park or if they want to rest on special beds, water always available, in the evening they can use a large flat.

As for professional Irish Wolfhound breeders we keep a records register for the movement of puppies and adults, a register of health checks and sanitization procedures. Although Arkham is part of the amateur Irish Wolfhound breeders I attended the animal welfare course for suitability for the trade, breeding, training and custody of pets.

Whether it is an amateur or professional Irish Wolfhound breeders, there are some fundamental aspects that guarantee the quality and seriousness of the breeders. The breeders that have serious intentions always breed a small quantity of breeds, usually one or two, a crucial factor for producing healthy puppies, both physically and psychologically.

In Irish Wolfhound breeders, puppies must receive all the necessary care and attention from the first days of life. Later, it is essential to ensure that the puppies sold and the animals intended for reproduction are healthy. In addition to these fundamental characteristics, Irish Wolfhound breeders must ensure the traceability of each puppy thanks to the application of a microchip, always done and paid by the breeder. Another crucial aspect is that each puppy coming from Irish Wolfhound breeders must have an ENCI pedigree, which serves as an official identification document for the animal and which certifies the registration of a dog in the Genealogical Book Registers.

This document issued and printed exclusively at theENCI headquarters and sent to the breeder or to the ENCI Delegation competent for the territory of the new owner, if indicated when submitting the application for registration. The pedigree contains very important data such as personal and identification data, such as breed, sex, name, microchip, date of birth, coat color and registration number in the stud book.

According to Italian law, the sale of dogs proposed as "purebred", without this quality being certified by the pedigree, is prohibited by Legislative Decree no. 529 of 30 December 1992. A dog without a pedigree issued by the ENCI and sold by Irish Wolfhound breeders cannot participate in official events, such as exhibitions and work trials and consequently cannot be considered a "purebred dog", even if morphologically similar. You should beware of Irish Wolfhound breeders who offer a purebred puppy without a pedigree or who ask for a significant additional cost for the certificate. A serious breeder considers the pedigree an integral part of the price of the puppy. The fees for obtaining the pedigree are clearly indicated on the official ENCI website and are modest: currently the cost for Irish Wolfhound breeders for the pedigree is 23 euros.

1. Verify recognition by dog breeding organizations: the first thing to do is to make sure that the Irish Wolfhound breeders is recognized by dog breeding organizations, such as the ENCI (Ente Nazionale Cinofilia Italiana). Remember that to get an ENCI affix or prefix, you must be the owner of at least 2 females of the same breed. It is advisable to mate females not too young, not before the second heat, or too old. After seven years of age, it is advisable for Irish Wolfhound breeders to get a veterinary certificate of suitability for reproduction. To have produced and registered in the Italian stud book at least 2 litters of the same breed from two different female born in the last 5 years; you must sign the dog breeder's code of ethics and promise to carry out a training and refresher course in compliance with the directives of the ENCI Board of Directors;
2. Visit the breeder in person: it is essential to visit Irish Wolfhound breeders to personally verify the conditions in which the dogs kept. Social media can also provide some information, but it should not be the only source: if a breeder only shows photos of puppies and not of adults, it could hide unsuitable conditions for the dogs. A personal visit allows you to talk to the breeder, observe adult and senior dogs, and obtain information on breeding practices. As breeders, we will never deliver a puppy without having previously met the new owners at the breeder;
3. Check the conditions of the animals: when visiting Irish Wolfhound breeders, it is important to check the state in which the dogs kept. A serious breeder will guarantee adequate, hygienic and spacious environments, where the animals are treated with respect;
4. Demand to know the puppy's mother: a conscientious breeder will allow you to see the puppy's mother, as it is essential to know the conditions in which the broodmare also lives, which plays a fundamental role in the well-being of the puppies;
5. Ask for information on the litter's pedigree: in reputable Irish Wolfhound breeders they will also tell you about the genealogy of the pedigree by reporting the name of the stud dog used. So it will be possible to check the consanguinity of the future litter;
6. Check the health and legal documentation: responsible Irish Wolfhound breeders sell puppies with microchips, Pedigree, regular health booklet, vaccination certificate, deworming certificate and in the case of the Irish wolfhound they will attach the test to exclude the presence of Congenital Primary Porto-Systemic Shunt. These documents are essential to ensure that the puppy is healthy and traceable.

By following these steps, you can be sure to make a responsible and safe choice when buying a puppy, avoiding falling into unpleasant misadventures.

Like many giant breeds, the Irish Wolfhound is particularly prone to health problems. For years, Irish Wolfhound breeders favored increasingly larger and faster specimens, often putting the welfare of the breed in second place. As a result, the average life expectancy of these dogs is just over seven years. Recent studies found that only 9% of Irish Wolfhounds live past ten years of age.

Luckily, this situation prompted many Irish Wolfhound breeders to change their perspective. Today, the most responsible are bringing health back to the center of their selection choices, laying the foundations for a better future for this splendid breed. Today, several genetic tests are available for the identification of the main hereditary diseases. DNA-based diagnostic techniques allow us to uniquely distinguish subjects who are ill or carriers of the monogenic diseases of interest.

Reproduction within Irish Wolfhound breeders requires special attention and specific skills, considering its huge size and the characteristics of the breed. sexual maturity reached on average between 9 and 18 months, but it is advisable to wait until 2 years, when the broodmare and the stud dog completed their physical development. This ensures greater health and resistance for both gestation and mating.

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days and litters generally have between 4 and 10 puppies. To preserve the health of the female, an interval of at least 12-18 months between one litter and the next is recommended. Since the Irish Wolfhound breeders is subject to various hereditary diseases, reproduction must do with rigorous criteria. Within Irish Wolfhound breeder, breeders should be tested their dogs for common diseases in the breed, an echocardiogram is essential to exclude heart disease and an accurate eye check.

Thanks to their elegance, intelligence and remarkable physical attitude, Irish Wolfhounds stand out in various canine competitions, often obtaining excellent results.

Dog Show

Irish Wolfhounds, known for their imposing and noble appearance, are among the stars of Dog Shows around the world. These gentle giants, belonging to FCI Group 10 (Sighthounds), judged according to the breed standard, which includes characteristics such as physical structure, movement, proportions and temperament. At Shows, Irish Wolfhounds parade elegantly in the ring, accompanied by their handlers, showcasing their proud bearing and kind temperament. These events allow Irish Wolfhound breeders and owners to compete with other enthusiasts and have expert judges evaluate their dog's conformity to the official standard.

Agility and Coursing

Despite their imposing size, Irish Wolfhounds can excel in disciplines such as agility and coursing. These competitions test speed, agility and mental alertness, offering the dog a stimulating activity both physically and mentally.

Participating in these competitions not only highlights the extraordinary abilities of the Irish Wolfhound, but is also a great way to strengthen the bond with your dog and ensure a rewarding and healthy activity. For Irish Wolfhound breeders, it is also an opportunity to compare themselves with other breeders.

Can I enter my Irish Wolfhound in a Dog Show?

If the idea intrigues you, know that participating in a dog competition is not just a whim for vain owners, but an opportunity for growth both for you, a lover of the breed, and for your Irish Wolfhound. With the right preparation, your dog will do the experience as a fun game and an opportunity to socialize with other dogs from Irish Wolfhound breeders. In addition, the time you dedicate to training will strengthen your bond, improving the harmony and complicity between you.

Requirements to participate in a dog competition and entry classes

To enter your dog in a Dog Show, you need to have some basic documents:

• Healt booklet;
• Pedigree;
• Qualifications Enci booklet: a document issued by the ENCI that contains a sort of curriculum of the dog, including the evaluations obtained in beauty Dog Shows and working competitions. This booklet will accompany the dog throughout its show career.

Competitions recognized by the FCI and awarding the CACIB (Certificate of Aptitude for the International Beauty Championship) include the following classes:

• Intermediate class: 15 - 24 months.
• Open class: from 15 months and up.
• Working class: from 15 months and up.
• Champion class: from 15 months and up.

On the ENCI website you can consult the complete regulation, which also includes the classes not competing in the CACIB (puppies, juniors, and veterans).