[Feyconri]

“When comparing their size to growth charts for the breed, they are much smaller and so would appear to be growing slower than what is considered the norm by breeders.”

There are responsible breeders who constantly strive to meet the breed standard when they plan a litter, and they prove that their hounds meet the breed standard by being successful in the show ring. The breed standard includes the acceptable height and weight range for a male and female. The size of puppies bred from parents who meet the breed standard are reflected in the breed parent club’s puppy growth charts. They can be found at http://www.iwclubofamerica.org

Then there are commercial breeders who sell puppies on the internet and their concern is money. Their puppies are from parents who have not been proven to meet the breed standard in the show ring. Size is the first attribute in irish wolfhounds to slip away unless you are breeding hounds that consistantly meet the breed standard.

Your puppies are growing at the rate they are genetically programmed to grow. Some mature sooner and some later. Some have growth spurts. I would not compare them to the puppy growth charts as it could be a source of frustration. Revel in them for being their beautiful, sweet and unique selves.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by Feyconri.

[Feyconri]

“Feconri stated giant breeds need reduced protein”

A direct quote from your post. Please compare the words you are attributing to me and to what I actually wrote as you posted above. They are not the same.

[Feyconri]

Again, Caoimhe, I encourage you to research it with feedback from hundreds of IW owners with years of experience in the breed, through the health studies of the Irish Wolfhound Foundation (and health forum) or the Irish Wolfhound Club of America.

It would be nice if one answer fit everything – but life is full of grey areas – not black or white. Educating yourself in a breed-specific way is very good.

Then you can form your own opinion and do what you feel is best for your pup.

Strangely, “Hound Dog Mom” is attributing words to me that were not written.

[Feyconri]

Have you joined any of the Irish Wolfhound forums or IW Facebook pages to ask this question? Hundreds of experienced IW owners would be better to ask about food-related breed specific problems/growth issues (i.e. his feet). On Yahoo groups you have the Irish Wolfhound Fellowship, the Irish Wolfhound Club of America, the Irish Wolfhound Discussion Group. On the internet you have the International Irish Wolfhound Forum. On Facebook you could start out with the Irish Wolfhound Fellowship. Please join one or all of these groups. A breed that grows as fast as an IW pup has issues with protein and growth plates.

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