Wolfhounds are among the healthiest of the giant breeds, thanks to their natural, functional build and the fact that they have avoided the extreme features seen in some other breeds. They remain much as they were originally intended—strong, balanced, and athletic. Like all dogs, they can face health challenges such as bone cancer, heart disease, or bloat, and are more prone to pneumonia under some circumstances.
The good news is that, thanks to a dedicated heart screening programme, any potential heart concerns can be detected early. In fact, cases of Dilated Cardiomyopathy are now rarely seen by primary care vets—something the breed community can be truly proud of.
Further information on the breed is available through the file links below. The UK Irish Wolfhound community is an active and engaged group of enthusiasts with a strong focus on health research and data collection. The group works in international collaboration on health issues and supports the global breed database, iwdb.org, which is a valuable research tool helping to safeguard a bright and healthy future for the breed.
Details of health testing requirements by the Royal Kennel Club can be found on their website here.
