There are several reasons why the Irish Wolfhound may need to wear dog boots. Find out all you need to know about boots and everything else about this unique breed!
Irish Wolfhounds, tall in stature and long in history, once needed all their Irish luck to survive as a breed. Often described as the world’s tallest dog and the largest of the coursing hounds, the Irish Wolfhound, or IW, is also well known for its gentle disposition and calm manners. When the dog stands three feet at the shoulder and can stretch up to seven feet or more standing on its hind feet, it’s good to know that it tends to be calm and quiet. Breeders and fans of the Irish Wolfhound recommend a spacious fenced area where the hound can have a good gallop every day, and a sturdy leash and some obedience training for all other outings. As hunting dogs bred to go after running prey, their instinct to chase can have disastrous results if they’re allowed to roam free. Apart from a good daily run, wolfhounds require less exercise than many a smaller breed. They are quite happy as couch potatoes. Their harsh coats need a good weekly brushing, and they may eat less than you’d expect of such a large breed as long as they are fed a high quality diet.
Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. Their naturally gentle natures make them ideal around children, although care must be taken around very small children. A wagging tail can be hazardous to a toddler, and a clumsy big-boned puppy can step on small feet with painful consequences. As an independent hunting dog, an Irish Wolfhound may seem resistant to obedience training. They require training that fits with their somewhat sensitive natures, and they need a lot of treats and encouragement for motivation. Harsh methods will only damage their trust and sense of fair play. Ideal activities for IW’s are lure coursing (what they were born to do), and therapy work. Their quiet manners make them welcome visitors in hospitals, nursing homes and other environments where they can walk right up to the side of a bed and be at eye level with someone who needs a dose of doggy affection.
Deep-chested dogs like the IW are susceptible to a frightening and life-threatening condition known as bloat or gastric torsion. This occurs when the stomach rotates and traps food and gas inside. As more gas builds up, the stomach expands and places increasing pressure on other organs including the heart and lungs. Without immediate medical care, the condition is almost always fatal. Limiting strenuous activity after feeding time is one way to reduce the chances this will happen to your Irish Wolfhound. Other health concerns for the IW are heart conditions, cancer – particularly bone cancer – joint issues (especially in rapidly growing puppies), canine hip dysplasia (CHD), hypothyroidism and some neurological conditions that may cause seizures. Responsible breeders will have their dogs screened for disorders that might be heritable to ensure they only produce healthy puppies. Once grown, most wolfhounds have few ongoing health issues, but, like many large breeds, in old age they can decline rapidly and have a shorter average life-span than small and medium-sized breeds.
Why Do Irish Wolfhounds Need Boots?
Hip dysplasia is a heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. In order to prevent the wearing down of your dog's nails, bleeding and scraping paws that will hurt your dog it is necessary to protect the paws with a durable set of dog boots. Dog boots will also help comfort your IW if in fact arthritis does occur as your dog ages.
What Kind of Boots Are Best For Irish Wolfhounds?
Irish Wolfhound owners may be somewhat limited to dog boot selection due to the size of the giant paw! The Pawtrexx boots are excellent boots for Irish Wolfhounds who drag their rear paws. For one, they are large enough! They are also durable and have a heavy duty rubber sole and reinforced toe. They are made of neoprene and are meant to fit snug. The Pawtrexx boots come in large sizes to fit the largest breeds and are sold in sets of 2 boots. They can be found
here. The Pawtrexx boots are also an excellent choice for winter as they have a sole that can help with traction and grip in icy conditions. Because the Pawtrexx boots are so heavy, they really cannot be worn indoors. If your dog needs help with traction indoors take a look at the Pawtrexx summer boots found
here. The Pawtrexs summer boots also work well to prevent your dog hurting himself outdoors during summer as they are breathable.
For owners who want to protect those giant paws during summer, the
Meshies are excellent boots for hot pavement. They will help with added traction on slippery floors and prevent burns walking on the ground during the summer. You can also consider the
Ultra Paws boots for IW's for indoors, summer or light dragging outdoors.
Hi-Toppers boots are an excellent winter choice as they have a heavy duty traction sole and will help protect the ankles and legs from annoying snowballs. The interior fleece will also keep your dog warm on the coldest days. The soft sole winter booties are another good winter choice for light activity. They are a no-nonsense boot and very easy to work with. You can find the soft sole booties
here.
How To Fit an Irish Wolfhound With Dog Boots
Do not assume that you should buy the largest boot for your dog. Some Irish Wolfhounds have much smaller back paws than front paws. It may seem obvious to select the largest sizes, however fit is essential. The easiest way to measure is by having your dog stand on a piece of paper. Mark the front of the paw at the toenail and then the back of the paw for the length measurement. Measure the distance between the lines. Do the same on the left and right sides of the paw for the width measurement. It is best NOT to trace around the paw as that typically increases both the length and width measurements.
Irish Wolfhound Dog Boot Photos
Here is a look at some of our Irish Wolfhound dog customers in Alldogboots' products.
