Under the Code of Conduct Club Members are asked to heart test their dogs in the 12 month period before breeding. This is done either through their own vets if they have a Cardiologist in the practice, or more often it is done through the Irish Wolfhound Regional Heart Testing Scheme.
All owners of an Irish Wolfhound are encouraged to use the breed testing scheme to get a full heart test at a vastly reduced cost than going privately.
- Stethoscope Exam
- ECD
- Ultrasound scan of the heart
When you buy a puppy, a breeder should have evidence that both parents of the litter have been tested within the previous qe months. SEE AN EXAMPLE CERTIFICATE
Having a heart test can't guarantee that the dog won't develop a heart condition later, but it does mean that the breeder will only use clear dogs when breeding. You will be able to spot potential problems sooner, allowing for early treatment to give your dog a better chance of living longer.
In veterinary practice, there is now evidence that the number of cases of Dilated Cardiomyopathy is declining. Our belief is that this is in part due to testing, and only breeding normal dogs - and, crucially for any hound, early detection and treatment of any issues, thereby extending the life of the hound.
