Kerryarc Irish Wolfhounds

Every litter at Kerryarc – an average of two per year – is planned with the intention of keeping at least one of the puppies for ourselves to further our breeding program. No litters are bred with the intention of selling all the puppies to others. Depending on the number of puppies in the litter, the division of the sexes and the overall quality of the individuals, we often keep and raise two or three puppies from one litter for several reasons:

    • With three people here full time and others coming to work on the ranch, the puppies get plenty of attention and socialization. They are not locked in crates or pens while their owners go to work.

    • Raising Irish Wolfhound puppies (and any extra-large, long-limbed breed) requires specific exercise and feeding to realize their full potential. Many promising show puppies never reach their potential due to the non-optimal care and feeding they receive during their most important growth stages.

    • With several large, acre-plus paddocks and other dogs of various ages to play with, our puppies get optimal exercise when it’s most critical.

    • Our youngsters spend time with several adult Wolfhounds with excellent temperaments, thereby instilling in them all the qualities they need to function successfully throughout their lives with people and other dogs. Aggressive tendencies with other dogs are very seldom seen and never tolerated… it’s simply not acceptable.

    Companion puppies are placed in loving, lifetime homes as soon as we determine that they will not be a part of our breeding program. Many of these puppies could go to show homes, but we would rather place them where they will be treasured for their wonderful personalities, general good looks and soundness without the added pressure of show ring success affecting in any way their owners’ love for them.

    Show puppies are available on a very limited basis. A few of our requirements for purchasers before we consider placing a promising show puppy with them are:

    • Previous experience owning, raising and showing an Irish Wolfhound or other large breed.

    • Appropriate facilities to house and exercise a Wolfhound properly.

    • Understanding that what you are buying is a well-bred, healthy, sound puppy that has the potential to be a show dog. We assume you are coming to us for a show puppy because you like the dogs we breed and show. We will be selling you a puppy that we believe will grow to be a lovely representative of the breed and of our breeding program, which is what we all want. However, as stated above, many things can go wrong while a puppy is growing and if it does not reach its desired potential, we still expect this puppy to be kept as a beloved family member for life.

    If you are only interested in a guaranteed show dog, please contact another breeder who will make that promise. There are several.