An Introduction to Rohan Irish Wolfhounds

Introduction

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Sunstag Wolfbane "Balin" Cridhe Cu Galadriel "Kili"

Our family has admired the Irish wolfhound for many years, and are now lucky enough to be the proud parents of six magnificent hounds (Balin, Kili, Arwen, Keller, Kady and Maddy).

Helen and Jonathan Cullum Plenty of room to play

Our hounds are all in house companions, of course. Each and every one of them has the run of the house, so if you visit do not expect to be seated on the couch, there is never any room left. I am blessed to be able to spend 24 hours a day with them, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, nor do I take vacations unless they can all come along. Our daily routine consists of play time very early in the morning before the sun comes up when in the summer it can get a little too hot to be outside. Once we've finished working with the horses around 11am we retire to the house when they take their mid day naps then they have their lunch. Once the horses are fed and turned out at night, we go to either the hay fields, or the forest, where I have permission from the owners to run the hounds on several hundred acres of private land. So they keep me fit too. However, after their evening run they are all happy to retire to the great room where they all have queen size futons to laze around on, that's when me and Jon get to relax on the couch. Then it's supper time and finally late at night when I do my check on the horses they get one more run out so everyone is ready for bed by midnight.

Our home

Since moving from Minnesota down to Florida I get asked about how the dogs cope with the heat. Well, FL is actually a little cooler than the steamy, humid summers of Minnesota, thank fully without the harsh, harsh winters we encountered where we had to be careful of frostbite on their toes. So it's actually been easier for them down here. Of course pets have special needs during the summer, especially those with a heavy coat. Their sweat glands are on their paws, so they do not sweat the way we do. Panting helps them cool themselves, and our treed property provides plenty of shade for when they are out during the day helping me on the farm. We have gallons of fresh water all over the property so they always have refreshment and baby pools for them to cool their tummies in. And when we do our vigorous exercise, we always do so during the cooler time of the day during the summer months. i.e. very early morning and late afternoon. All areas the dogs are heavily exercised have ponds for cooling down in, which they love. They'll splash around in those all day long. We keep them all in great shape, none are overweight, and their coats are stripped out a little more than we used to up in MN. They get hosed down periodically during the middle of summer, which they love, and they get to go to the doggy beaches. So as you can see, just use common sense to care for your dog and you will never have any problems with the climate.

But for those of you worried about the heat in Florida, there is no need, with the right care they are as happy as any other dog. And the spring, fall and winter are fantastic for dogs, so that more than makes up for the 3 sticky months during the summer here.

And if you decide you want an Irish Wolfhound to add to your family, please, sit down and really think about what you are about to undertake, not all breeds suit certain lifestyles. The Irish wolfhound is not a guard dog, and although you may love the breed, who wouldn't, it may not be right the right dog for you or your family. For instance, we had admired the breed for many years, and had longed for one for just as long, but it was only over the last seven years that we were in a position to seriously consider one.

Most breeders, well those of good standing will interrogate you and ask you lots of questions. This was exactly our experience when first introduced to Dixie Hirsch of Sunstag (Reg) Irish Wolfhounds. SUNSTAG

Irish Wolfhound

REMEMBER: We ALL have to help the battle to prevent backyard breeders and puppy mills.

Dogs are not our WHOLE life,

But they make our lives whole - Roger Caras

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