Generally speaking, Irish Wolfhounds are not an acquired taste. One does not blindly pick the breed, does not think he or she will just get a wolfhound and see if it grows on them.

Most of us came upon an article in a newspaper, magazine or in a book, film or video, and knew, knew instantly, that this was something we had been searching for, something we had been missing and needed in our lives. Breeders and owners of Irish Wolfhounds down through the years have commented that these gentle giants just fit them, fit in their lives, suited their personalities, fit in their homes and families. They can be athletic when needed and they can be quiet and consoling, intelligent, sly and cunning, slow, comical and silly, pouting and begrudging but almost always intuitive to their master’s feelings.

Through fact, fiction, and lore, the history of the great Irish dog has sifted down through time like gold dust from an assayer’s hand. It is present every day to those of us who love them, hiding there just behind their eyes. Ever evolving from the fierce hunting and fighting dogs described by Strabo in 24 A.D. as gigantic greyhounds, they having been in use among the Celtic and Pictish nations to Hollinshed (16th century) who says of the Irish, “They are not without wolves, and greyhounds to hunt them, bigger of bone and limb than a colt.” This includes the wolfhound Gelert, who forfeited his life by his master’s hand after having saved his master’s child from a wolf. And on to Bran, the favorite wolf-dog of Irish Chieftain Fionn Mac Cumhaill. These dogs appear out of an ancient mist, from great hunters to near extinction to rebirth and resurrection through the hands of great passionate and dedicated breeders such as Captain George Graham, Hamilton Rowan, Captain Hugh D. Richardson, Mr. Whyte Baker, Jr. of Ballytobin, and Sir John Power of Kilfane. These steadfast keepers of this breed fed hounds through the great famine, which took Ireland from a population of about eight million to one of approximately two and a half million. The wolf was gone, the wolfhound’s work was done, times were hard, and only a few struggled through.

In 1885, Captain Graham founded the Irish Wolfhound Club of England and continued his work in the breed until his death in 1909. His final article on Irish Wolfhounds is as meaningful today as it was then when he wrote, “…a firm stand must be made against awarding prizes to hounds that are not absolutely sound, as the breed is essentially a galloping one and meant for rough as well as fast work, and therefore, coat, soundness of limb, and freedom of action, must be insisted on. Girth is also most essential as without it, the necessary lung and heart action is impossible… It therefore behooves all judges of this breed to see that the unsound hound never receives a place in any class, it being much better to make no award than to give a prize to a hound that may be largely used for perpetuating cripples.”

Captain Graham said of Ch. Cotswold, (born in 1902, owned by Mrs. Percy Shewell), “…a wheaten colour with long head and body, great bone and girth, and absolutely straight on his legs…”

The breeders that followed, the ones that “set” the lines and the major players for years to come such as Mr. Everett of Felixstowe Kennels, Miss Nichols of Bradfield Kennels, the Reverend C. H. Hildebrand of Clonard Kennel, Captain and Mrs. Hudson of Brabyns, Mr. J. V. Rank of Ouborough, and Mrs. Florence Nagel of Sulhamstead Kennels, protected and sheltered them to keep lines going, through food shortages, depression, war conditions in England and Ireland, and great outbreaks of distemper.

We have all undergone major changes in the way we live over the past 60 years, and so too the Irish Wolfhound has changed to suit our needs. No longer do we need to keep wolves from our flocks, most of the great kennels are gone, and we are in need of a trusted companion. They fill the bill.

Along with the breeder’s need to evaluate breeding stock and the advent of Conformation “dog shows,” those who sought to find other pursuits with their dogs have found their niche through Obedience, Coursing, Agility, and Therapy. The list continues to grow, and for the most part our hounds try to humor us. Irish Wolfhounds are nothing if not adaptable, with maybe the exception of turning around in small places. They live in cold and hot climates but prefer cool. They live in small houses and on big ranches. They comfort the old and have great patience with the young. If raised with small animals they can be very gentle. They can dispatch a rabbit, squirrel, or other game with amazing speed and power. They die too soon and break our hearts, and we cannot imagine being without them.

To those who take up the baton of the Irish Wolfhound and whose actions today will be the history of tomorrow, know that you cannot properly understand the breed, and certainly cannot properly interpret the Breed Standard, without at least a rudimentary knowledge of their history. The Standard is your bible. You breed to it and not to what you see in the show ring. To look to the future, we must have an appreciation of the past and honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who worked so diligently to preserve this great breed. To those of us who drop our hands to our side to have them fall gently upon the great shaggy head of an Irish Wolfhound, well, we know how lucky we are.

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Interview with Jeanie Pitzenberger, Breeder of Boondocks Irish Wolfhounds

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: I live in Southeast Iowa outside of Nichols. I started in Irish Wolfhounds in 2006, buying my first, and in 2009 I purchased my second. I had gone to a show with the second hound and liked it. He was just a pet, and just like how a lot of people get started, he was not from reputable breeder. I did learn a lot from showing him, though. I then found a couple of quality, reputable breeders who mentored me and I had my first liter in 2015. It has been a thrilling ride since.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: My kennel name is Boondocks and is a registered kennel name with the American Kennel Club. I currently have 11 Irish Wolfhounds.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: My foundation bitch, GCHB Brimstone Boondocks Serenity (River) started me out with two Best of Opposite Sex in Specialty wins. She competed in the NOHS since its inception and we did very well. I have had two different puppies win Best Puppy in Sweepstakes. I have won two Specialties, one with a bitch I bred and another with a bitch from a great kennel in California (Rysheron). In the last few years, my dogs have won a Best in Show, two Reserve Bests in Show, 12 Hound Group Ones, and multiple other Hound Group placements. My current special, CH Boondocks Mountain Ash, is doing very well at Specialties, All-Breed Shows, and with the NOHS.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: My most influential dam is GCHB Brimstone Boondocks Serenity (River) and the sire is CH BISS Nightwing’s Silencer. “Silencer” was our National Specialty winner in 2017. I had bred to him in 2015. Although I currently have a girl that I bred, last year was her first time in the show ring. I went to back-to-back Specialties in June. She went WB both days (she had never been in the ring before), and she is the dam of my current special, CH BIS RBIS MBISOH Boondocks Mountain Ash.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: I have four large yards where my dogs are separated according to size, gender, and personality. All puppies are whelped in my house in a room set up just for that purpose. I used chalkboard paint on two walls because it is so easy to jot down notes such as weight, date of nail trims, etc., and then transfer all that information into my binder. I use a combination of Puppy Culture and Avidog techniques with all puppies. None of puppies leave until 12 weeks of age and only after they are liver shunt tested. I register all the puppies myself and enroll them in AKC Reunite at the time of registration.

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: I start watching my puppies’ movement from the time they get up on their legs and start moving out across their yard. I can sit for hours watching them play with each other, running through the tunnels and tugging on the toy gym. I am always looking for that sound movement, even as babies. I watch their little toplines and how they naturally stand when they finally do stop.

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: I would like to start becoming active in some Performance Events such as Fast CAT or LGRA. I do find that I run out of time. (I own a flooring company, am an active member with my parent club, and I am also president of a newly formed AKC Club, the Iowa Hound Association, so my time is limited.) The Iowa Hound Association has been accepted by AKC to be on their accelerated program. We just finished our Sanctioned B Match in October. We are hopeful that our Sanctioned A Match will be successful, and that in 2024 we can start planning to hold a Hound Specialty.

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: Conditioning is very important in my breed. I cannot stress enough that an Irish Wolfhound needs exercise. There is nothing worse than seeing an obese Wolfhound—and I see a lot, even in the ring. Yes, Irish Wolfhounds love to lay on your couch, but they do need to get out and gallop.

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: Before breeding, our parent club recommends OFA hips, elbows, heart, and eyes. All Puppies need to be liver shunt tested before they go to their new homes. This is the responsibility of the breeder and not the new owner. The new owner should not be charged an additional fee either, to have the puppy liver shunt tested. That is ridiculous and the “for profit only” kennels are doing that.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: Irish Wolfhounds are wonderful pets, but they do need a physical fence. They are large, powerful sighthounds. I will not sell a puppy to someone without a fence. My guys have prey drive and they must be fenced. My neighbors would not be happy if I let my guys run loose. (I can only imagine the damage they could do to the calves or goats.)

You must make your puppy buyers know that these are independent hunters. If they see something, they will chase it.I read constantly on social media that you just need to teach them recall. Sorry, but once they focus on that prey they could care less that you are calling them. I have spoken to many canine officers in the army and in law enforcement, and they will tell you truthfully that no dog is 100 percent, no matter how well-trained you think it is.

Irish Wolfhounds also need to learn house manners because of their size. All my guys rotate in the house and everyone also learns RV manners for when we go to shows. And their tails could be considered a dangerous weapon; boy does it hurt when they really start whipping them around and you get whacked with one on your legs, or even in the face if you are bent over. That will leave a bruise!

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: I sometimes think judges tend to look at just size; it happens a lot in all species. In the 1980s, Arabian horses went through a “bigger is better” time—and still might be going through it. There are a lot of Irish Wolfhounds in the ring today that are just plain obese and unsound. Please remember, bigger is not better and “great size and commanding appearance” does not equate to big fat hairy mastiffs. And having that tail tucked tight up to their belly is not commanding either.

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Jeanie Pitzenberger: For new people, please find a quality, responsible breeder to mentor you. My first two Wolfhounds came from totally bad kennels that were only interested in making money. Thankfully, the first one no longer breeds, but the second one is going strong, hiring PHs to put a CH in front of the name to sell more puppies. If a new person is serious, I suggest they go to as many Specialties as they can. We, of course, have our National Specialty. This year it is in McKinney, Texas, and next year it’s at Purina Farms.

We also have numerous Regional Clubs that put on Specialties throughout the country, many of them back-to-back. They are a great way to meet the old preservation breeders and see some lovely, lovely hounds. If a new person wants to meet quality, responsible breeders, they must go to Specialties. Specialties, for us, are more important than all-breed (AB) shows. If a Specialty and an AB show that I am interested in are on the same weekend, I am going to the Specialty. I do a fair amount of AB shows, and really like them, but my priorities are the Specialties. If a new person meets someone who does not go to Specialties, they are not a quality, responsible breeder.

Are you looking for an Irish Wolfhound puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home an Irish Wolfhound dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

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Interview with Hound Group Breeder Gail Morad – Darom Irish Wolfhounds

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Gail Morad: I live in Michigan. I have been with dogs for over 30 years. My daughter participated in Junior Showmanship. I was blessed with an exceptional foundation bitch and, after much research and mentoring, have been breeding for just under 10 years. I breed infrequently and only to support a Wolfhound’s wonderful qualities to perfection. Our breed is so special and needs to be preserved in
that manner.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Gail Morad: My kennel is named Darom Irish Wolfhounds. After losing my 12-year-old, I now have seven that live with me. I am always prepared to keep every dog that I breed; not sending them to an unsuitable home. This is my commitment for their lifetime. This obligation can be difficult for those without the financial, space, and psychological means to ensure the health and safety of these gentle giants.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Gail Morad: As a young kennel, and owner-handler, I am proud to have championed all but my youngest female. Darom McDe’s Sweet Sheahan (Shea) earned BOS at the AKC National Championship along with winning OH Top 10 for Wolfhounds. Her brother (Larkin) won BOSOH for Top 10. Darom McDe’s Lord Larkin has been wonderful to show. He also earned BOB at the AKC National, Award of Merit at Westminster, and Stud Dog, Veteran Dog, and Award of Merit at the 2022 IWCA National Specialty. His son, Darom Center Ice Yzerman (Captain), earned BOBOH Top 10 and a Group Third at the AKC National event. Sheahan, Larkin and Captain have all won BOBOH at several shows. They have been influential, and their offspring are also being recognized by judges. The younger Hounds are making us all proud!

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Gail Morad: When you look for who could potentially influence your line, always look to a good bitch. When pursuing success in breeding, there is no substitute for hard work and establishing a line of great females. If your female comes from a line of first-class Hounds, you can’t go wrong. While a good male is important, the female should be the foundation of what you hope to use to better the breed. Larkin and Shea have been influential, and I am proud to have worked with a variety of mentors, including Linda Souza. With her support and the support of other preservation breeders, I have the pedigrees of many exceptional hounds (GCH Cash of Limerick, CH Gnoc Noll of Limerick, CH Nash, CH Miss Marple From the Good Health, CH Wolfhouse Master Copy, GCHG Khaleesi’s Drogon Of The Seven Kingdoms, CH Bainbridge A Day In The Life, and GCH Raven vom Luchemer Bruckchen) within the Darom lines.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Gail Morad: The Darom facility is my home on 18 acres. Breeding is a labor of love, NOT financial gain. All litters are whelped and raised in my home with loving human contact. I use early neurological stimulation exercises and follow Puppy Culture training. A confident, well-socialized Wolfhound is best for any family. My pups stay with me for at least 12 weeks so that they have adequate time with the dam, have tested for liver shunt, and received early vaccinations. They may stay longer if they require more time and/or the new owner needs additional time to learn and ready their new environment.

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions?

Gail Morad: I am always keeping a watchful eye on the pups; movement, temperament, the overall outline, structure, and bone. They change and grow at different times. While the watch begins at 3 to 4 weeks, a more critical eye occurs at 8 to 9 weeks. Since the pups are with me until 12 or more weeks, no final decisions are made until the end. This includes all decisions as to the right fit for allpotential families. Any of my pups come back to me if situations change in the placement.

How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation?

Gail Morad: Socialization is key, and a well-adjusted Wolfhound that is comfortable with people putting their hands on him will not mind the gentle handling of a judge. I make it a routine to put hands on my pups and dogs. Knowing your Breed Standard—and working on stacking to demonstrate that Standard—is important. I love the gait of a good Wolfhound, and finding the right speed for your dog is also important. All of this takes positive practice. My Hounds will work in the ring to try and please me, but it should be fun for them as well.

Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring?

Gail Morad: The presentation of the Irish Wolfhound dog breed follows the Standard of Excellence: great size and commanding appearance, easy and active movement, long and level head, heavily boned legs with elbows well-set under, long and muscular thighs, and second thighs with stifles nicely bent. I just returned from the IWCA National Specialty and was proud to observe excellent Wolfhounds presented in the ring. The long, strong, muscular neck was presented well-arched but not held too high when moving. Coats were rough and well-maintained. (There was a wonderful grooming clinic offered at the Specialty.) The breed’s coat needs to be kept up and rolled often, not just groomed the day before a show. You should see power and strength; in essence, they should be able to do what they were bred to do.

Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Gail Morad: We are lucky to have the Irish Wolfhound Health Foundation which helps to identify health problems affecting our breed. They also initiate, support, and provide funding for research projects that address and study these health problems. Health testing is important for all Irish Wolfhound dogs, not just those within a breeding program. The IWCA recommends screening for congenital eye and heart disease, and hip and elbow dysplasia. While the Wolfhound is not the longest-living breed of dog, knowledge and alertness as to what is normal behavior remains important. Wolfhounds are stoic and are often slow to complain about sickness or pain. Serious health issues include osteosarcoma, heart disease, GVD, pneumonia, and liver shunt.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Gail Morad: In my opinion, the breed is in good condition overall. While those who desire owning an Irish Wolfhound dog can be impatient (as the wait can be long), breeders are sharing health and nutritional knowledge, and more and more preservation breeders are mentoring those of us who are less experienced but wanting to learn. Social Media makes it easier to list puppies for sale, but the Irish Wolfhound Club of America is stepping up as the best resource to find reputable breeders and share accurate knowledge.

Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Gail Morad: Irish Wolfhound dogs are extremely loving companions whose gentle nature and sweet temperament make them a great family dog. They are good with children as well as other pets, if socialized from a young age. They love to snuggle and may stretch out across your feet or along the couch, so be prepared to share your space. The best candidate to own an Irish Wolfhound is someone who can provide a sufficiently fenced property. They do require room for exercise—and a fenced yard is best. It is not necessary to treat a Wolfhound harshly or separate them from members of the family. The best homes give the Wolfhound lots of loving attention.

Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Gail Morad: There are wonderful, committed preservation breeders who support the care and continuation of quality Irish Wolfhound dogs. Many attend national events and most are open to questions and dialog.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Hound?

Gail Morad: My first Wolfhound loved Agility. Since then, I have trained several in Obedience, Agility, and Therapy Work. My first Agility dog was running a jump line right toward an instructor when her Corgi began to get nervous as he came closer. He completed the jump line, pranced to where the instructor was seated, kissed the Corgi, and sat in the instructor’s lap as if to say, “How did I do?” All applauded and cheered. (Oh, and there was the time he stole a filet off the counter!)

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Interview with Hound Group Breeder Jill Bregy – Wildisle Reg. Irish Wolfhounds

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Jill Bregy: I live in Weston, Connecticut, and bought my first Irish Wolfhound in 1966. She became the seventh Irish Wolfhound to receive a CDX. That became the start of my interest in obedience work. I ran obedience classes for many years as well as handling classes.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Jill Bregy: My kennel name is Wildisle, reg., and it is registered with the AKC.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Jill Bregy: Noteworthy winners are Ch. Wildisle Warlock, winner of 13 Specialties and 4x winner of the IWCA. There are a number of other good dogs as well, such as Ch. Wildisle Lionheart, Ch. Wildisle Stargazer, and Star Wars.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Jill Bregy: My second Wolfhound was Ch. Fleetwind Clidna of Wildisle who was bred to Ch. Edgecliff Piper of Cu to produce Ch. Wildisle Wizard of Id, who in turn sired Ch. Wildisle Warlock—a multiple Specialty winner. I would say, “Warlock” was a very influential sire along with his sire, “Wizard.” In addition, Ch. Mistimourne Wildisle Mirage, also line-bred from close lines to these dogs, produced Warlock.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Jill Bregy: My puppies are whelped in my kitchen and live in the house until they are older. I have a great barn facility with indoor/outdoor runs, but puppies are best when they have close contact with the owner. Also, the senior dogs live in the house, and the other dogs are rotated in and out of the house during the day. No kennel dogs here!

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions?

Jill Bregy: As to selecting puppies, looking at them from birth onwards gives you a good perspective of what they will be. Structure and gait do not change!

How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation?

Jill Bregy: This is a breed that is hand-stripped—you continue to pull out the older coat as a new coat comes in. This develops the best coat.

Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring?

Jill Bregy: I think the breed is presented well in the ring. Handling and grooming have improved over the years.

Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Jill Bregy: As to health, heart issues have been a problem; however, most responsible breeders are doing heart testing. Eye testing is important too, also hip and elbow x-rays.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Jill Bregy: I believe the breed to be in good condition, with more responsible breeders.

Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Jill Bregy: The breed is a great family dog. Generally, they are very easy to live with and they love being with you. Your yard must be fenced so that they can go in and out from the house.

Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Jill Bregy: As to “preservation” breeders, we can always have more. Only breed when you need to continue with your line—not to sell puppies. Education by the clubs is key to developing good breeders. Responsible placement of puppies, with restrictions on breeding, is vital along with co-ownerships.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Hound?

Jill Bregy: You’ve asked for an amusing thing, and that would be me being in the side yard, having left Warlock in the fenced yard area, and then having him appear next to me after he observed me open the gate. For this, he had to use a combination of his nose (to move the lock) and his lower jaw (to lift the latch). Scary… but luckily, he just trotted over to me and stood there looking very pleased with himself!

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Judging Irish Wolfhounds – A Guide by Joel Samaha
Illustrations by Beverly Stobart and Robert Bernardi

JUDGING IRISH WOLFHOUNDS – INTRODUCTION

“A National Specialty brings together many dogs from all over the country and even from other countries. It affords a rare opportunity to see dogs across a wide spectrum who in their owners’ judgment represent the best they have. Viewed from a broad perspective, these dogs enable us to assess our breed’s past, present, and future. Dogs in their prime—concentrated in the Bred-By Exhibitor, American Bred, Open, and Specials Classes—represent the breed’s present state. Also in evidence is our deep debt to the past. We glimpse that past in the Veterans Classes first-hand, and it speaks to us indirectly through the heritage displayed in pedigrees from all classes. We must never forget this heritage in our preoccupation with the present. Not only do we see the present and the past, in the puppies, yearlings, and novices is revealed our hope for the breed’s future. They are a gauge to the direction we are going. From them, we can assess to what extent we are fulfilling our custodial responsibility to leave the breed in at least as good a condition as we found it. Attending a Specialty, then, is obviously a valuable opportunity to learn about our breed. But it can be overwhelming, especially to novices who wonder how best to reap the benefits from this experience. In order to help you follow the judging, I have outlined my procedure for deciding where to place the dogs in each class. I have also included some comments about each step. I hope they will give you a little idea of what I am doing and why. Use this guide and commentary not only to follow what I am doing but also to clarify your own ideas. I believe firmly, and urge you strongly, to make your own decisions about the dogs. Everyone has an opinion. We all like some dogs more than others and have a “favorite” dog at the show. Don’t be afraid to take a stand. Compare your decision with mine and consider why you prefer some to others and why one is your choice for Best In Show.” —Joel Samaha, remarks before judging the 1985 IWCA National Specialty

JUDGING IRISH WOLFHOUNDS – PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

1. Absolute rights and wrongs do not exist. The Irish Wolfhound Standard defines a range, not a point, on a spectrum of correct type. Reasonable people can and do disagree about the meaning of the Irish Wolfhound Standard. Even if they agree on the general provisions in the Standard, they argue about how to apply the Standard to particular dogs. Don’t let this confuse and discourage you. Honest disagreement renders the whole experience interesting, exciting, challenging, and immensely pleasurable. Except for direct experience with the hounds themselves, some of my best Irish Wolfhound memories include those of heated discussions about the meaning of the rough-coated Greyhound-like dog of great size and commanding appearance that typifies our breed. These arguments immeasurably enhanced my understanding of true breed type. Inform your judgment, but in the end, remember, it is your day to pick the dogs that fall within the range the Standard defines.

2. Simple answers to questions about Irish Wolfhounds do not exist. Some people believe a simple, straightforward, single formula exists for judging, showing, breeding, feeding, rearing, and living with Irish Wolfhounds. Anyone who believes this is simple-minded. Unfortunately, we do not yet know many things; others, we will probably never know. To complicate matters further, our knowledge may greatly benefit one dog while wreaking havoc on another. To most questions about Irish Wolfhounds we can only answer unsatisfyingly, “We don’t know.” “It might be A, but it could be B or C or even A, B, C and X!” No one likes such vague answers to questions we want answered so desperately. But that does not make the answers wrong.

3. Keep an open mind. Recognize that other judges have reasonable points of view. A different point of view is not always wrong. On the one hand, judges who place dogs in a somewhat different order within an acceptable range are not necessarily either stupid or ignorant. On the other hand, placing the dogs in exactly the order you would have placed them does not automatically render these judges brilliant and knowledgeable. Try to understand why others might honestly disagree with you and look for the merit in their decisions and opinions.

4. Judging requires finding dogs who approximate an ideal. No dog is perfect; no living creature is. Judging, therefore, must always compromise reality and an ideal. In the end, you must choose the best dogs in real life, not the non-existent perfect one in your mind’s eye. The dogs in living flesh which come closest to your mind’s eye picture of the perfect dog deserve the prizes.

The following represents but one of several acceptable approaches to judging Irish Wolfhounds. Experienced judges may wish immediately to alter it to suit their personal style and procedure. New judges should find it useful as a start that they might modify as their experience develops. However, all judges should follow its general ideas in order to find the dogs that best conform to the Irish Wolfhound Standard.

JUDGING IRISH WOLFHOUNDS – OVERALL IMPRESSION

Gain an overall impression of the dogs as a group at the outset. Most people may think that this includes only an impression of the dogs as they stand in a line. I believe it also encompasses the impression that they create in motion. Hence, I recommend that you gain your overall impression by observing the dogs both standing and in motion.

1. Standing. At the start of every class, look up and down the line of dogs in order to assess four critical features:

Shape or Outline. Looking at the row of dogs creates your first opportunity to determine which dogs fit the image of the large, rough-coated Greyhound-like dog the Standard calls for. Look for the curves, depth of chest, length of neck, body, and leg that combine to produce an outline or silhouette of a large, strong, galloping hound. Remember, the Standard requires first and foremost a large, rough-coated Greyhound-like dog. Reward it highly when you see it; avoid awarding ribbons to those who do not possess it.

Presence. Don’t confuse presence with quality. A dog with presence bears itself as if to say, “I am the one!” This dog does not plead for recognition. It knows it is best and hopes you agree. If you don’t, it’s your loss. This dog has “a commanding appearance.” Remember that the Standard demands not only great size but commanding appearance. Equally important, don’t mistake the dog with its head held highest in the air for the one with the most presence. In many cases the head held high may reveal presence. However, it can also reveal a serious fault, the column front. Dogs with this fault, often seen in conjunction with ewe necks, may impress the novice, but their strained, uncomfortable stance and movement belies the more relaxed, proud bearing of the Irish Wolfhound with true presence.

Quality. An experienced judge said she could not define quality; it speaks for itself. And so, it does. Dogs who possess it stand away from the others, as if they were cast in a special mold. Look for quality, and reward it.

Balance. Lack of balance greatly diminishes shape, presence, and quality. All the parts of a balanced Irish Wolfhound fit together. Curves and length, breadth and depth, substance and shape hang together. A balanced dog rests there, just as the word balance implies. Unbalanced dogs make you feel awkward; even the most skillful handlers cannot bend them into balance, even though they cleverly try. Some examples of imbalance include: a long body on short legs; a very steep shoulder and curving stifles; a short neck set into a long body; longs legs and shallow chest. A dog may possess balance and lack correct type. A dog with a short neck, short body, straight shoulders, and straight stifles has balance; it lacks correct type.

2. In Motion. After you gain an initial impression from the dogs standing still, ask their handlers to take them around the ring all together. At this time do not assess sound movement. That will come later when you examine individual dogs. At this point look for shape, presence, quality, and balance in motion. This step will frequently surprise you. The dogs who look best standing still may not remain so in motion. The straight dog’s shape standing can, in motion, suddenly transform into all the right soft curves. The balanced hound standing can, in motion, look as if many parts from different dogs were all stuck together in one animal.

Many judges omit this critical step of assessing shape, presence, quality, and balance in motion. Yet, experience will demonstrate to you that dogs standing change substantially when in motion. This occurs not simply because motion uncovers unsound movement but, in addition, because it exposes faults in type. You will find it difficult to choose between the dog who possesses shape, quality, presence, and balance standing but loses them in motion, and one who possesses them in motion but not standing. The best hounds, of course, excel in both.

JUDGING IRISH WOLFHOUNDS – JUDGING INDIVIDUAL DOGS

Judges differ in the extent to which they rely on two critical elements in judging individual dogs: (1) looking at the dog and (2) feeling, or “getting your hands on the dog.” What should you be looking and feeling for? Only by looking and touching can you ascertain five basic characteristics of Irish Wolfhounds:

1. Substance. Proper substance means the dog has sufficient bone, muscle, breadth, and depth. Think always of two characteristics of substance: (1) power and (2) speed.

Irish Wolfhounds must LOOK strong; they must also BE strong. Typical Irish Wolfhounds are never weak or refined, nor should they even appear to be either. They ought to resemble hunters more than racers.

The essence of Irish Wolfhound type lies in the balance between power and speed that produces a dog fast enough to catch a wolf and, once caught, strong enough to kill it.

Put your hand around a dog’s forearm at the elbow and run it down through the pastern. You should feel thick bone covered with plenty of hard muscle. Your hand, if it is good-sized, should only just reach around the foreleg immediately above the dog’s wrist. The legs should have shape, somewhat broader near the elbow than at the pastern. They should not curve too much; particularly, they should not twist. However, forelegs should not resemble tubes or Coke cans; that is, they should not appear round without any curve.

Feel the rib cage to determine both the breadth and the depth of chest. Think of an egg shape or oval when feeling the chest. Avoid rewarding dogs with either barrel chests or slab sides.

Take special care to look over and feel the hindquarters. The croup should neither fall steeply away nor run flat to the base of the tail. It should gently slope to the dog’s tail. Judges frequently overlook the importance of the croup. Learn to identify the properly sloped croup. It contributes to the galloping hound look; it enhances the dog’s movement. Make sure that you assess the amount and quality of critical muscle in both thigh and second thigh. (See below for more detail on these points.)

Some dogs have too much bone and muscle—they are what we call coarse. Hence, they, like the refined “deerhoundy” dogs, lack correct type. However, coarseness is not a breed problem. Indiscriminate breeding leads to refinement, not coarseness in succeeding generations. Dogs with too much substance occur sometimes; refinement appears too often. It is much easier to correct coarseness than refinement in breeding. Therefore, if in doubt, prefer a dog with too much substance rather than one with too little.

Substance must be reckoned in concert with all other important breed characteristics! Think always of the balance between speed and strength.

NOTE WELL: Never take this necessary preference for coarseness over refinement to mean that the biggest dogs with the most bone and muscle should always win. Substance must be reckoned in concert with all other important breed characteristics! Think always of the balance between speed and strength.

2. Structure. Assessing structure requires you to determine whether the dog is properly put together. Dogs with the proper structure feel both good and right; your hands should not encounter improperly placed lumps and bumps of bone and muscle as they move down and over a dog’s body. Instead, they ought to glide smoothly from the head over the neck through the shoulders, over the back, to the croup and hindquarters. Evaluating structure also requires specifically examining with eyes
and hands:

Head. In order to judge heads completely, you must take into account its overall shape, and then more particularly the eyes, mouth, teeth and jaws, ears, and whiskers. We do not want either too refined, narrow heads that resemble too much either the Deerhound on one extreme, or the chiseled Dane head or the broad, thick, short-muzzled Mastiff head with drooping ears at the other. We should see a Greyhound-like head but stronger, a bit thicker and proportionately larger to suit the Irish Wolfhound’s stronger, larger body. Face furnishings, particularly whiskers, ordinarily enhance a dog’s head; they can also conceal weak and exaggerate strong heads. Furthermore, they can soften the undesirable hard expression in some Irish Wolfhounds. The proper Irish Wolfhound head, combined with a dignified, soft, almost sad, far-off look contributes substantially to correct type. Don’t overrate it, but give it its due. Unfortunately, you will often find unattractively plain or improper heads on dogs that otherwise excel in type. The reverse is also true: beautiful heads filled with type appear on dogs lacking in other respects. As in life generally, don’t allow the beautiful face to mar your judgment.

Front Assembly – The Neck, Shoulder, Upper Arm, Foreleg, Pastern, and Feet. Relatively long, powerful, arched necks should set into shoulders laid well-back that slope inward at the withers. Some say you should find no more than three-fingers width between the withers. Penalize: hounds withshort necks set on too far to the front, stuffed into loaded upright shoulders and short upper arms; hounds with narrow, weak giraffe-like necks set on too high; and the ewe-necked hounds that stand with heads uncomfortably high and necks that break abruptly into the shoulder.

Upper arms should balance the shoulder in length and angle; they ought also to balance length and angle of the thigh and stifle. You should penalize Irish Wolfhounds with straight, short upper arms, a fault much too prevalent today. Look for, and reward, shapely, strong forearms, and round, strong, tight feet. Look for well-filled forechests; hollow, narrow forechests, revealed in front legs that do not allow you to get a hand comfortably between them, is a serious fault.

Overall, consider the column front, or a line that runs straight down from the base of the skull, through the withers, shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and pastern a fault of the most serious kind in Irish Wolfhounds.

Body. The proper Irish Wolfhound body contains a chest with both depth and spring of rib, and a back rather long than short, with sufficient muscle throughout and a topline slightly arched over the loin. Both roached backs, fortunately not frequently seen, and flat backs, unhappily more prevalent, are incorrect. Flat toplines deserve special attention, not only because they appear more frequently but also because they seriously detract from the coiled mechanism necessary for efficient galloping. Flat toplines may please the inexperienced; the judge of Irish Wolfhounds must recognize and heavily penalize the flat back. Even worse, penalize the flat, sloping back that makes Irish Wolfhounds resemble giant Sporting dogs.

The Irish Wolfhound’s underline should reveal a long brisket with good tuck-up; however, no wasp-waists, please. Look for dogs well-ribbed back; ideally, the space from the last rib to the front of the stifle should not contain more than roughly four slightly spread fingers.

Rear Assembly – The Croup, Thighs, Second Thighs, Hocks, and Feet. The proper Irish Wolfhound croup slopes slightly; penalize both flat and steep croups, both of which detract from proper Irish Wolfhound type and which indicate weakness in the power and speed of movement. Heavy muscle should cover both thighs and second thighs, the latter too often not given sufficient weight. Looking at the dog from the rear, its assembly and musculature should resemble the working Greyhound, like that pictured in the great Victorian authority Stonehenge’s book, not like those sad specimens too often seen in the conformation ring today. Stifles should bend nicely; not nearly so much as the German Shepherd, however, not should they be straight, the latter a more prevalent and more serious fault. Look for strength, substance, and shape throughout the rear assembly. Penalize the hound with heavily boned and muscled thighs followed by spindly, weak second thighs without adequate muscle to balance the thighs above.

Tail. Be sure to consider both the structure and the carriage of tails. Irish Wolfhounds should possess long, thick, full-coated tails. The thin or short, or worse, the thin and short tail detracts significantly from balance and type. An excellent hound a few years back suffered from this problem. He was an impressive, strong hound with a short, thin tail. It seriously detracted from his overall balance and appearance. Tails should set neither too high nor too low. The high-set tail, often accompanying a flat back, inevitably makes the unfortunate Irish Wolfhound that possesses it look more like a Sporting dog than a galloping hound. Irish Wolfhounds should carry their tails with a gentle sweep. Under ordinary circumstances, they ought never to stand or move with their tails either between their legs or over their bodies.

Coat – Harsh and Thick. Think of a rough coat, one that repels burrs and other objects that can cling to it. The best coats feel harsh to the touch, they are thick, and grow close to the body. Hard, straight coats are frequently seen although not so desirable. Soft, long, straight coats substantially depart from correct type. Too little coat also deviates from correct type; Greyhounds, not Irish Wolfhounds, should have smooth, short coats. However, when faced with the unhappy choice, prefer too little to too much coat.

3. Soundness. Typical Irish Wolfhounds possess both sound minds and sound bodies; that is, they must move properly and exhibit correct temperament. The latter we too often overlook. Perhaps nothing detracts more from the Standard’s requirement of commanding appearance than a huge, timid, frightened Irish Wolfhound. Furthermore, shyness, as a well-respected English breeder once told me, is one step away from viciousness.

Typical Irish Wolfhounds possess both sound minds and sound bodies; that is, they must move properly and exhibit correct temperament. The latter we too often overlook.

Temperament. The Standard and the breed’s well-being demand strong, gentle hounds, never aggressive or shy, not even “edgy” ones. Edgy hounds are presently under control, but without their handler’s constant control would surely at least retreat, or perhaps manifest worse characteristics of the weak temperament. One owner told me once that her shy hound stood at such alert that a judge mistook it for presence. The owner said, “I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the dog was frozen with fear.”

PLEASE NOTE WELL: Do not include misbehaved, untrained, or inexperienced dogs in this category. While all of these may detract from a dog, they do not, without more, bespeak poor temperament. Most important, an Irish Wolfhound with poor temperament possesses neither soundness nor correct type; it cannot possibly show great courage or depict commanding appearance.

Movement. Four aspects are critical to judging movement. They are: fore, aft, reach and drive or stride, and overall easy and active. All are important, but a long, easy, and active stride takes precedence over the others. Forgive some faulty movement coming toward you and going away in a dog that with long, low strides covers ground with grace and economy. The much over-criticized cow hocks and flapping fronts are not nearly so serious as the belabored, mincing, short strides so often seen. Dogs with poor stride lack type because the Standard requires that Irish Wolfhounds move easily and actively.

4. Fine Points. Now is the time to consider the “finishing touches.” The following add to quality:

• Face (dark eyes, nice whiskers, and expression—that sad, faraway look we have all come to know and love in the Irish Wolfhound; the flame-colored eyes have been praised by some throughout history);
• Ears (tightly rosed, small);
• Coat (harsh, thick, close to the body);
• Feet (round toes tight and well-arched);
• Condition (healthy coat, good weight and muscle tone, overall thrifty with a strong constitution.

JUDGING IRISH WOLFHOUNDS – THE FINAL JUDGMENT

After you have examined each dog individually, divide your final judgment into two phases. During the first, tentatively arrange the dogs in the order you prefer them, according to decisions made in your overall impressions and assessments of individual dogs. Keep in mind that the overall impression, while important, is not everything. The beautiful silhouette is sometimes weak, refined, in poor condition, and can suffer from important structural problems. These latter will always discount superior shape and soundness.

Second, ask the dogs to go around the ring together one (or sometimes two, and rarely three) last time(s). This is no mere formality; neither is it a staged action to increase suspense and test the exhibitors’ endurance. You will often rearrange dogs on this final go around. Why? Not for movement as such. Instead, in this last go around you will often find the dog who excels in shape, quality, presence, and balance, both standing and in motion. Hopefully, the dog you put tentatively at the front of the line will retain the best shape, display the same quality, possess the same presence, and demonstrate equal balance in motion as it did standing still. If not, another dog may replace it. In the end, the winning dog best fits the description: A LARGE, ROUGH-COATED, GREYHOUND-LIKE DOG, FAST ENOUGH TO CATCH A WOLF AND STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL IT.

Judging Irish Wolfhounds – A Guide by Joel Samaha
Illustrations by Beverly Stobart and Robert Bernardi

The information provided here is the property of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America and is printed with permission from the parent club.

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The Irish Wolfhound – Some Basic Information

Congratulations on your new Irish Wolfhound! To help you enjoy your Irish Wolfhound and to promote the well-being of the breed, the Irish Wolfhound Club of America would like to provide you with some basic information.

THE INSTINCT TO CHASE IS STILL STRONG, SO A FENCE IS IMPORTANT

The Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed of the greyhound family. He was used to hunt wolves and elk and to accompany Irish nobles to war. The instincts originally developed for the chase are still very much a part of the modern hounds.

Therefore, for their own protection and to maintain good relations with your neighbors, it is important that they not be allowed to roam freely. A conventional wood or wire fenced yard is essential. Breeders should insist on it. If you don’t have a fence, you’ll need to be with your puppy every time he goes outside. This can be difficult in a busy household. Puppies can be very destructive when confined tothe house, which argues even more strongly for a fenced area.

THE BREEDER OF YOUR PUPPY SHOULD BE A VALUABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION

Besides adequate exercise, your Irish Wolfhound will need professional veterinary care, vaccinations, good quality food, and basic training and socializing. The growth patterns, nutritional needs, and treatment for health problems are not the same for a giant breed as for small dogs. Reputable and conscientious breeders are committed to their puppies for life, and should be willing to help you with advice and support for any problems or questions you may have.

If for some reason you lose touch with your Irish Wolfhound’s breeder, or you simply want to find others near you who share your interest in Irish Wolfhounds, the IWCA can provide you with names of knowledgeable owners in your part of the country. Educational materials are available through the club and in book stores. Some of the better resource materials are listed on the back of this brochure. The club magazine, Harp and Hound, is available through membership in the club.

TO BREED OR NOT TO BREED

The decision to breed your Irish Wolfhound should not be taken lightly. You should not even consider producing a litter of puppies unless you are prepared to devote the time, energy, and funds to give them a good start in life and to keep every puppy until a suitable home can be found. The expense of producing and raising a litter can be quite large, and proper homes for Irish Wolfhounds are not always easy to find. Neutering your Irish Wolfhound is a simple and relatively safe alternative that has many health benefits as well.

If you decide to take on the commitment of breeding your Irish Wolfhound, the IWCA urges you to proceed responsibly. Like every AKC-registered breed, Irish Wolfhounds have an approved standard that describes a model of how the ideal Irish Wolfhound should look, move, and behave. Responsible breeders strive to produce hounds which conform to this standard. They will not breed animals with serious deviations from it, and certainly not breed any Irish Wolfhounds with serious health problems or known genetic defects. They carefully screen potential homes, help educate new owners, and bear lifelong responsibility for the puppies they produce.

If for any reason the owners cannot keep the puppy, responsible breeders either take the puppy back or provide help in locating a new and suitable home, regardless of the age of the hound.

Unfortunately, these ideals are not always adhered to. The IWCA has an active network of rescue coordinators who help to place Irish Wolfhounds needing a new home and rescue abandoned or abused dogs.

A COMFORTABLE COMPANION AND GOOD CITIZEN

Irish Wolfhounds are eligible to participate in a wide variety of AKC-sanctioned activities. Conformation showing is open only to non-neutered dogs (except the veteran’s class at independent specialties) and measures how closely an IW conforms to the official AKC breed standard. Neutered dogs can participate in obedience competitions, lure coursing, tracking, rally, agility, and junior showmanship (for youngsters between the ages of 10 and 18). Canine Good Citizen is another activity you and your dog can participate in to demonstrate your dog’s good behavior.

Not all hounds do well in every one of these events, but if you can find one that both you and the dog enjoy, it can provide you with many hours of rewarding companionship. Of course, even though many Irish Wolfhounds don’t excel at the precision exercises necessary for obedience competition, you’ll need to teach your hound manners and enough obedience commands to make him or her a comfortable companion and good citizen.

The information provided here is the property of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America and is printed with permission from the parent club.

RESOURCES

Copies of the breed standard and other informational materials, breed contacts, membership applications, and rescue assistance and information may all be obtained from The Irish Wolfhound Club of America. Visit the website at: http://www.iwclubofamerica.org

Harp and Hound, semi-annual publication of the IWCA, available through membership only.

The New Complete Irish Wolfhound, by Joel Samaha, at bookstores and from Howell Book Company.

Playtraining Your Dog, by Patricia Gail Burnham, at bookstores and from St. Martin’s Press.

What All Good Dogs Should Know, by Volhard & Bartlett, at bookstores and from Howell Book Company.

The Magnificent Irish Wolfhound, by Mary McBryde.

The Irish Wolfhound Guide, by Alfred De Quoy

A more comprehensive list may be found on the IWCA web site.

Copyright 2014, The Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc.
Reproduction is limited to non-commercial use.

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Where did you grow up?

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: I was born on the peninsula south of San Francisco in San Mateo, California, in 1948 and grew up in the suburban city of San Bruno, between San Mateo and San Francisco. I was the middle child of five. My father was from Richmond, Virginia, and my mother was from San Diego, California.

Did you come from a doggie family? If not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin?

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: I met my future husband in high school in 1962 at the age of 14. He was 16. We married after high school graduation in 1967. He was then 20 and I was 18. We will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary this coming April 23rd. He is my soulmate and a man of integrity and also quite a character, but in a good way. He is also a dog lover but is not interested in attending dog shows. He is my live-in dog sitter when I attend dog shows. We grew together, always sharing the same goals in life. We started out in an apartment in San Bruno and then moved to a duplex in Millbrae, the next town south. The duplex was owned by my husband’s parents and this is where my friendship blossomed with my mother-in-law, Janet Souza. The duplex had a fenced yard and I immediately wanted to get an Old English Sheepdog. I was smitten with the breed from pictures I had seen. Cliff and his mom surprised me with a puppy on my 20th birthday. Janet was a dog lover all her life, but was never allowed to have a dog until she left home. She was raised by her grandmother in a small house in San Francisco. When she married at 18, one of their wedding gifts was $25 cash and Janet immediately started a family by running out and purchasing a Springer Spaniel puppy. We always got a kick out of that story, but it was actually a sign of things to come. Janet also had a Chihuahua, Poms, and a Miniature Poodle while she was raising her three children. Janet fell in love with AmStaffs in 1968 and purchased a dog and a bitch. This was the same year the Old English came into my life and we were all living next door to each other. Janet went to obedience classes with her AmStaff male, and the instructor convinced her to enter an obedience trial at a local all-breed show sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club. Naturally, I accompanied Janet to the show for moral support, no matter which way the dog was going to perform. Fortunately, the AmStaff did not embarrass her. After the obedience competition had ended, we drifted over to see what this thing called “conformation” was all about. The rest became history!

By 1971, Janet decided she liked watching the Irish Wolfhounds at the dog shows because of their calm demeanor and commanding size. She began an extensive search for a grown bitch because she had already learned that purchasing a puppy for show came with risk and it might not turn out. Janet only wanted the Wolfhound for companionship and the sport of showing, but had no intentions of getting involved with breeding. As luck would have it, Janet found an 18-month-old Irish import bitch with 10 points, including one major, owned by an attorney in Santa Rosa. His wife decided she didn’t want that “big dirty dog” in her house anymore. We were so happy he chose the wife over the dog and we got the dog.

The bitch had already been registered and named by the breeder in Ireland. She was Roaree of Limerick, and Janet took possession of her at the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club in February 1972, exactly 50 years ago. The Limerick in her registered name did not refer to an Irish kennel name but rather to her place of birth in Limerick County, Ireland. Hence, Limerick became our kennel name. We obtained her championship quickly and her second major was awarded by Desi Murphy’s uncle, John Murphy, which was a fabulous surprise when I found this out years later! Janet enjoyed showing Roaree for about a year when she realized she kept going Best of Opposite with her beautiful, smaller bitch. She then decided that instead of trying to find a male to buy, she would breed her own male to show. And so it began. In 1973, Roaree produced her one and only litter of 12 puppies, free-whelped. We had no idea how lucky we were with that first delivery. To this day, every dog we have bred goes back to Roaree in one way or another. She was far from a big girl but about as perfect as we could have asked for as a foundation bitch. She was pure luck for us and lived to be eight years old, with a temperament to die for.

It turns out that 1975 was a very special year for my husband and me. We were informed by my doctor in May that we had a baby coming in December. We also broke ground on the first of two houses we built in bucolic Woodside, California. Our daughter Jamie arrived at Stanford University Hospital in December 1975 and we moved her into the first Woodside home in February 1976. She was two months old. We lived there for eight years, then moved into the second, larger home that we built in June 1984. We lived there for 13 years. We sold that house after Jamie went off to UC Berkeley, and my husband and I decided to downsize and move south of San Jose into San Martin, where we resided for 24 years. We moved to Driggs, Idaho, in June of 2021. My husband fully retired in 2012 and I retired in 2008. In April 2020, because of COVID, my daughter Jamie and her husband (of 17 years), Will Bartlett, purchased a second home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to get their three children out of San Francisco until they could return to the classroom. The second home in Jackson is only 35 miles from our new home in Idaho. They spend all their summers and holidays there, so we felt we wanted to spend that time near them. The children are very busy during the school year in SF, so being closer to them in Wyoming for summers and holidays was the best choice. We are loving our new home in Idaho (yes… even the average snowfall of 100 inches per year). The Wolfhounds think they died and went to heaven with the cold temps and snow. They hated the triple-digit heat of the California summers. They exercise so much more willingly here. It’s the perfect place for them. And no fleas or foxtails!

All during the past 50 years, we showed our Irish Wolfhounds consistently and bred our dogs infrequently. We challenged ourselves to put as few puppies as possible on the ground with the highest possible consistency of quality. I’m very proud to say that I think we were very successful in this effort. We have only produced 16 litters under our roof over these past 50 years, totaling 112 puppies with more than 50 champions… just slightly under 50% of the puppies we have put on the ground. We have bred, owned, and handled National Specialty BOB and BOS recipients, and one of our dogs sired the BOB winner at the largest IWCA National ever (close to 500 Wolfhounds entered) in 1995. Our dogs have also sired four BOS winners at IWCA Nationals. We have been awarded Select Dog and Award of Merit at a National, and we have been awarded Best Puppy at a National. We have also won many, many BOBs at regional specialties around the country. We have campaigned many dogs to the Number One ranking in the country during the past 50 years and mentored both owners and the public about our breed while waiting all day for Group competition. We have also owner-handled three different related Wolfhound males to all-breed Bests in Show. In 2013, the AKC awarded us Hound Group Breeders of the Year. We were thrilled. Janet was still alive to attend Orlando with us and receive the honor, since she was the one who started it all—a night we will never forget. Janet passed in 2016 at the age of 89. We still miss her very much. In 2019, I was “knocked off my chair” at the Purina Pro Plan & Dog News Show Dogs of the Year gala dinner in New York when they announced I had won the Owner Handler of the Year Award, which is voted on by your peers—another night I will never forget. My dear friend, Bill McFadden, was the MC that night. There was lots of ugly crying from me that night!

Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: Our most significant mentor in Irish Wolfhounds was Suzanne Tierney McCombs (Destiny Irish Wolfhounds). Our very first breeding was to a handsomemale who resided with her. He was sired by the 1967 IWCA National Specialty winner, Irish import Ch. Ballykelly Colin, bred by Sheelagh Seale and owned by Mrs. H. Sheppard Musson. Janet and Suzanne became the dearest of friends. Suzanne had some lovely dogs, good breeding instincts, and a fantastic eye for a wonderful dog. Many hours were spent assessing dogs and their pedigrees. We all learned so much from Suzanne, and our pedigrees became intertwined much to both of our benefits. We had also had some minimal mentoring from Renee Poston of the Apple Arbor Kennels in Santa Rosa. She was actually the agent for the purchase of our first Irish Wolfhound, Ch. Roaree of Limerick.

The Limerick Irish Wolfhounds are widely known, highly successful and well respected. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: Our breeding philosophy was always to practice limited breeding with the highest quality possible and with consistent results, because we do not want to feel like we are exploiting these wonderful animals in any way. We also feel it is best to not let your numbers get out of control with this giant breed. We always kept a puppy from every litter, so we only bred on the average of once every three years or so. We have always taken the choosing of stud dogs very seriously, never taking shortcuts to save money, and it paid off. We have been blessed with some particularly good-producing males over the years, but we have also imported semen to bring in some different blood which is something we will continue to do.

How many dogs do you currently house? Tell us about your facilities and how the dogs are maintained.

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: We currently house two Irish Wolfhound males and two Irish Wolfhound bitches, a 15- year-old Whippet, an 11-year-old Cavalier, and a 5-year-old Frenchie. In June of 2021, we left California and moved to 10 acres in the Teton Valley on the eastern border of Idaho/western border of Wyoming. The altitude is 6,200 feet. The Wolfhounds are absolutely thrilled with the colder weather and the little dogs just hang out in the house. The little dogs have a doggie door which goes out to a covered area with faux grass. The Wolfhounds and the little dogs spend time in the house together, but we never put the little dogs in the running paddocks. That could turn into a coursing event if the little dogs start running in the wide, open spaces! We have two large running paddocks, for the Wolfhounds. Both have covered areas for them to get out of bad weather. They spend all day out in the paddocks, with short visits in the house (they must stay out to get adequate exercise) unless the weather becomes too harsh. I believe Wolfhounds need exercise, fresh air, fresh water, and quality food to keep them in top condition. We run the Wolfhounds in pairs, boy/girl. We have an 80’ x 80’ airplane hangar where they sleep at night. I can also use the hangar during the day if the weather turns too harsh. The hangar is fully insulated and heated. We house our vehicles there along with a Cessna and big dogs! It’s perfect, and the dogs love sleeping there at night in their Kuranda dog beds with cushy pads.

Who were/are some of your most significant Irish Wolfhounds, both in the whelping box and in the show ring?

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: Some of our most significant winning dogs in the show ring have been Ch. Shaw of Limerick, Ch. Grianan Ladd of Limerick, Ch. Noinin Cnoc Noll of Limerick, Ch. UrLimerick of Kilmara, Ch. Taryn Tate of Limerick SC, GCH Cash of Limerick, GCHG Limerick Frosty the Showman, and most recently, GCHG Khaleesi’s Drogon of the Seven Kingdoms. The top producers from these males, so far, are Ladd, UrLimerick of Kilmara (Ricky), and Tate, totaling close to 100 champions among the three boys. Our best producers in the whelping box were Ch. Roaree of Limerick, Ch. Timberlane Casey of Limerick, Ch. Kaelyn Gabardine of Limerick, Ch. Halle of Limerick, and Ch. Limerick Jingle All the Way. These bitches produced 19 champions all together, only having one litter each. We know how important the tail female line is in breeding, but we lost our tail female line about 14 years ago (the risk of doing limited breeding). We have survived nicely using our male line instead as the emphasis in our breeding selections.

Please comment positively on your breed’s present condition and what trends might bear watching.

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: I feel the only place you can assess the current condition of your breed is at a National Specialty where you have a large entry and a cross-section of dogs. For the few serious, quality breeders we have in this country, I feel our breed is in fine condition. One thing to keep in mind is that our dogs should be athletic hunters and not lumbering draft horses. You can create a Wolfhound with lots of bone and substance, but he or she still needs to be able to move actively and easily with some enthusiasm! I can’t ever remember leaving a National Specialty and being depressed about the condition of our breed. We have had many amazing breeders over the years producing beautiful Wolfhounds.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began participating. What are your thoughts on the state of the fancy and the declining numbers of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: The sport has become very competitive and very expensive. Breeding Wolfhounds has also become extremely costly and it is difficult to find young people who want to put in the time and have the passion, patience, and finances to breed IWs. I’m fortunate to have a daughter and two granddaughters who are committed to carrying on the Limerick legacy, but these situations are few and far between. We need to nurture and mentor young people who have passion for our breed, and help them in any way we can. This is why the all-breed shows are so important, because the public often attends these shows. We have spent thousands of hours over the years answering questions from the public. ANYONE showing genuine interest in our breed should be welcomed with open arms. No question should be considered ignorant. Treat new people with respect and kindness. ENCOURAGE them! My biggest concern for our breed is that we have too many Internet breeders who have a negative impact on some of the poor people getting their first hounds. Some are not doing preliminary health checks or supporting the new owners properly when issues arise with their puppies. Also, we have a lot of foreign dogs being exported to the US with no vetting of the homes here. These are not acceptable practices if you are representing yourself as a breeder of integrity. I have not bred a litter in nine years, but I mentor a wonderful village of people who are passionate about our breed and are willing to listen, learn, and take my suggestions in order to breed better Wolfhounds. I even share my frozen semen with them to their benefit. This is how I’m trying to help continue to bring our breed forward even though I am no longer breeding under my roof.

My fear is that we are all aging, and I don’t feel we have enough new people coming up with the passion and finances it takes to advance our breed. Too many people can’t wait for quality puppies and end up purchasing online. It has been a serious concern of mine ever since the Internet and social media have come into the picture. The Internet can be very good for sharing information, but it is not good because of the ease of selling puppies indiscriminately and not taking responsibility.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: Our breeding program is with my daughter, Jamie, who has plans to start breeding under her roof in the years to come when she is permanently living in Wyoming. I have good semen stored for Jamie from all of our best dogs and from some fantastic out-blood. She will be set to do some great breedings down the road. She is 27 years younger than me, so she and her daughters who are coming up behind her have many more years to continue our line. I never had any interest in becoming a judge, but Jamie loves judging. She is already AKC approved for Irish Wolfhounds, Whippets, Afghans, Salukis, and Junior Showmanship. She has already judged in several countries besides the US, including Australia, Wales, and Italy. Also, my beautiful granddaughters, Ella and Tatum, are handling dogs whenever they get a chance and are becoming quite proficient presenting many different breeds, including Wolfhounds, at 16 and 13 years old.

Finally, tell us a little about Linda outside of dogs… your profession, your hobbies.

Limerick Irish Wolfhounds | Linda Souza: I have very little life outside of my dogs, my family, my dog friends, and my wonderful husband, Cliff. He takes fantastic care of the dogs when I’m on the road for dog shows. I retired in 2008 from a family business, owned by my sister and her husband. I was VP of Operations in their wholesale import company of decorative accessories, furniture, and lighting. My hobbies are mentoring my village of enthusiastic and passionate Wolfhound people, and following football. I will always be a 49er faithful. They were the only wildcard team to advance this
year! Woohoo!

It is a joy to see my protégés having success with their breedings in the whelping box and in the show ring from my breeding guidance. One of the couples I have been mentoring over the last eight years whelped their first litter in 2017 and produced the Number One IW in the country, breed and all-breed competition, for the past three years. There were only three puppies in the litter and he was the only male. This was just as thrilling and gratifying for me as it was for them. I will continue my mentoring until I am unable. Hopefully that will be way off in the future.

We have given our lives to promoting, protecting, and improving the quality and health of our magnificent breed. In return, they have given us love, devotion, and joy beyond all description. We could not imagine life without them.

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