Irish Wolfhound – PetBudget | Pet Costs & Saving Tips

As you prepare to welcome a new Irish Wolfhound into your home, budgeting should be on your to-do list. In fact, there are many expenses to consider when raising a dog: vet fees, training costs, food, supplies, medical costs, grooming, and more. To help make things easier for you as well as your Irish Wolfhound, we have come up with a cost calculator that will give you a personalized estimate as to how much it should cost you to raise your furry friend. An Irish Wolfhound puppy is likely to cost between $1,400-$2,500 with the average price being $2,000. First-year expenses are around $5,300 and will be about $2,030/year (or $169/month) after that. Through the dog’s lifetime, the average cost of owning an Irish Wolfhound is $17,480. As detailed in this post, these figures include most essentials. But you may incur additional costs such as insurance, dog walking or boarding services. You might also decide to spay or neuter your dog. All this could bring the overall cost of ownership between $38,850 (for less expensive areas and/or wallet-friendly products and services) and $80,980 (in more expensive areas and/or for more sophisticated purchases). Through the course of the article, we discuss how these costs factor in and delve into why many of them may prove necessary. You will also find professional opinions from a licensed veterinarian, a dog trainer, a dog groomer as well as a dog walker and various tips to help you with your Irish Wolfhound. At the very end, we have added our cost calculator that will generate an accurate estimate as to the overall cost of purchasing and raising this breed according to your situation. Quick Links How much does an Irish Wolfhound puppy cost? Our team has perused through 33 ads from reliable sources like breeders websites, the American Kennel Club, NextDayPets, and PuppyFind to estimate the average price for Irish Wolfhound puppies under 6 months of age to be $2,000. Roughly 80% of the puppies reviewed fell between $1,400 and $2,500. But note that some Irish Wolfhounds were priced as high as $3,000. Puppy CostRangeAverage CostIrish Wolfhound$1,400 - $2,500$2,000 When adopting or buying an Irish Wolfhound puppy, we strongly recommend doing some research to find a reputable shelter or breeder. This will have a major impact on your dog’s long-term health and well-being! Also, adoption can be a much more economical option, with rehoming fees typically ranging from $50-$500, depending on your location. Puppies Price RangeAds Reviewed$1,000 - $1,3503 $1,351 - $1,700 5 $1,701 - $2,050 13 $2,051 - $2,400 2 $2,401 - $2,750 9$2,751 - $3,0001Total 33 This data is 100% original and has been collected by PetBudget's team. Supplies for an Irish Wolfhound Irish Wolfhounds and other dogs of this size in general require their owner to have many supplies. Through the course of the first year, one can expect to spend $245-$925 depending on product quality, store choice and location. We have analyzed 250 products, mostly best sellers from PetSmart, Walmart, and Amazon, to come up with these figures. Supplies PricesRangeAverage CostFood & Water Bowls$10 - $40$20Dog Collars (x2) $10 - $40 $20Leash $10 - $30 $15ID Tag with Phone Number $5 - $20 $10Dog Bed (48" or 60") $30 - $110 $60Dog Crate (48" or 60") $50 - $165 $90Plastic Poop Bags (900-1080) $15 - $110 $55Pooper Scooper $10 - $30 $20House Training Pads (75-100) $15 - $45 $25Stains and Odors Removal Spray $5 - $20 $10Toys $50 - $155 $90First-Aid Kit $15 - $50 $30Brush $5 - $45 $15Shampoo $5 - $20 $10Tooth-brushing Kit $5 - $15 $10Toenail Clippers $5 - $30 $15 As your Irish Wolfhound starts to grow, the price of supplies eases up considerably. Each subsequent year entails expenses ranging from $105-$410, with an average cost of $225. This accounts for all the things that you will need replenishing of stock, such as toys, a bed, shampoo, poop bags, tooth brushing kit. Total Supplies CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year$245 - $925$495Subsequent Years$105 - $410$225 Additionally, you may require things that are not accounted for here, such as clothing/shoes, a play pen, fences, muzzles, harnesses, etc. These items are bound to push your expenses higher, so keep that in mind when planning your finances. A commonsense tip for saving would be to check second-hand websites or stores for cheap equipment. The cost of training an Irish Wolfhound According to dog trainer and animal behaviorist Alexa Diaz (Ph.D.), Irish Wolfhounds would benefit from professional training. To this end, Alexa highly recommends private training for house manners, crate/potty training, as well as positive leadership, and group lessons for basic obedience. Generally, 5-7 private lessons should be enough for an Irish Wolfhound and will cost $750-$1,000 to which you should add five 1-hour group sessions that will likely be $150 to $200. Training CostRangeAverage CostIrish Wolfhound$900 - $1,200$1,050 Picking up training books can be an inexpensive help, provided you have the time to commit to training your Irish Wolfhound. Medical expenses for an Irish Wolfhound According to our consulting licensed veterinarian, Leslie Brooks, DVM, first year medical expenses for an Irish Wolfhound puppy should be around $635. Even if the number of visits to the clinic are lower for each adult year, the cost of medication as the dog gets bigger drives the annual price up close to $775. Spay/neuter and gastropexy procedures will add between $250 and $900 to the medical bills (more details below). Medical CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year Vet Cost$440 - $830$635Spay/Neuter (optional)$50 - $500$275Gastropexy (optional)$200 - $400$300Adult Year Vet Cost$525 - $1,025$775 Vet cost for an Irish Wolfhound puppy during the first year When it comes to prices, Dr Brooks estimates that a dog owner will pay $65-$170 for each of the three recommended visits for a puppy, with the first one being scheduled at about 8 weeks of age. This will cover the exams, essential vaccines including rabies, the first doses of heartworm and flea prevention as well as a fecal examination. Most of her clients also follow her advice to purchase heartworm and flea prevention medication. They should cost $75-$120 and $100-$125, respectively for the rest of the first year. Some Irish Wolfhounds may also need additional vaccines depending on activities and lifestyle: Lyme, if exposed to ticks often, such as if the dog goes camping or hiking, or lives in a wooded area or on a farm ($60-$80 for two doses).Leptospirosis if the dog is exposed to wildlife, goes camping often, hikes, plays in puddles, lakes, or ponds ($15-$25 and sometimes already included in the visit).Influenza if the dog goes to doggie daycare or is kenneled/boarded often and if the daycare or kennels require it due to intermittent influenza outbreaks ($70-$90 for two doses). Some owners will also decide to spay/neuter their dog. Vet clinics usually charge $200-$500 to perform this procedure on an Irish Wolfhound. It is even possible to find low-cost sterilization clinics that will do it for as low as $50 to $100 depending on your location. Generally, the procedure is more expensive for female dogs (spays). For large, deep-chested dogs like Irish Wolfhounds, Leslie Brooks, DVM, also advises performing a gastropexy at the time of their spay or neuter to help prevent the possibility of GDV (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus) later in life. GDV is a life-threatening condition that must be corrected with surgery. A gastropexy procedure typically adds between $200 and $400 to the spay/neuter bill. Irish Wolfhound veterinary expenses for the following years Dr Brooks expects dog owners to bring their adult Irish Wolfhound to the clinic for an annual checkup. Yearly visits are usually priced between $125-$265 which includes the exam, vaccines, and a heartworm test (as well as blood work for middle aged and senior dogs to detect any potential issue). Additionally, Dr Brooks suggests continuing flea and heartworm prevention medication, which usually fall in the $150-$250 and $250-$350 ranges respectively for a dog this big. Annual booster shots for the optional lifestyle vaccines presented above will add $15-$45 each to the medical bill. Finally, some dogs may require a fecal examination costing an extra $40-$50. This is mainly if the pet is exposed to wildlife and/or other dogs or shows inconsistent stool quality. Health problems to be aware of Not all Irish Wolfhounds will have the following health problems listed by Dr Brooks, but it is important to be aware of them when considering this breed. Health ProblemLikelihoodTreatment Cost EstimateDilated CardiomyopathyHigh$600 - $2,000MegaesophagusMedium$2,000 - $5,000Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)Medium$1,500 - $3,000CancerMedium$500 - $10,000OsteoarthritisHigh$200 - $500 per month Dilated Cardiomyopathy: the cost estimate includes diagnostics (x-rays, ECG, echocardiogram) and heart medications. Megaesophagus: the cost can vary drastically, depending if the dog needs an expensive surgery and multiple visits to the hospital or if they have a mild case that can be managed with special medical care and medications. Cancer: the cost really depends on the type of cancer and if an owner pursues aggressive therapy and all the recommended treatments, versus if they elect to just keep the pet comfortable with medications. Osteoarthritis: the monthly cost estimate is for various pain medications, joint supplements as well as physical therapy and/or acupuncture if needed. Dog health insurance One might consider enrolling their dog in a health insurance plan as a safety net against unexpected costs, making budgeting much easier. As per the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry report, the average annual price for accident and illness coverage plans round out at about $565. For accident only plans, the average price is $190. Contact pet insurance companies to know more and get a quote. Cost of feeding an Irish Wolfhound Irish Wolfhound are large dogs, as adults weigh 115 lb. on average (usually 105 to 120 lb.). After combing through the prices of best-selling brands like Purina, Pedigree and Blue Buffalo, we estimate that the cost of feeding an Irish Wolfhound puppy through its first year is likely to be $450 on average, as puppies will consume around 410 lb. of dry food for the year. Adults generally eat 450 lb. a year depending on the type of food and brand, leading up to a yearly expense of $400 on average. Keep in mind that there can be a massive cost discrepancy between budget and premium brands. Yearly Food CostRangeAverage CostPuppy$310 - $615$450Adult Dog$205 - $675$400 The dog owner will also probably want to treat his dog on a regular basis. After review of 27 best sellers on PetSmart, Walmart and Amazon, a cost estimation for the year has been made. Treats CostRangeAverage CostYearly Treats$125 - $715$345 Four dog food brands compared The following figures are based on the purchase of 410 lb. of dry food for the first year. Puppy Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Puppy Chow36 lb.12$27.78 (Walmart)$333.36Purina One - Smart Blend Puppy16.5 lb.25$21.98 (Walmart)$549.50Pedigree - Puppy36 lb.12$25.83 (Walmart)$309.96Blue Buffalo - Puppy30 lb.14$44.08 (Amazon)$617.12 One will probably need to buy around 450 lb. of food for each adult year of an Irish Wolfhound. Adult Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Dog Chow50 lb.9$22.98 (Walmart)$206.82Purina One - Smart Blend40 lb.12$40.36 (Walmart)$484.32Pedigree - Adult50 lb.9$25.83 (Walmart)$232.47Blue Buffalo - Adult30 lb.15$44.98 (Amazon)$674.70 To make bigger savings, purchase in bulk. Although dog food is perishable, it can be stored for extended periods of time, making bulk purchases a practical and affordable option. Additionally, consider consulting your vet to decide what kind of food goes best for your Irish Wolfhound. Example for a more expensive premium brand Royal Canin - Size Health NutritionQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PriceLarge Puppy35 lb.12$73.99 (PetSmart)$887.88Large Adult35 lb.13$68.99 (PetSmart)$896.87 This illustrates the price difference between budget-friendly and premium dog food. Grooming an Irish Wolfhound Typically, Irish Wolfhounds are not very high maintenance and could be groomed by their owner according to Corryne Smith, professional dog groomer. Therefore, they will usually be taken to a salon 0 to 6 times a year, each session costing between $65 and $90. The price of grooming services varies depending on the dog size, coat condition, health and age, its behavior and the services or products purchased. Yearly Grooming CostRangeAverage CostIrish Wolfhound$0 - $540$270 Professional grooming generally includes a bath and shampoo, hair removal if necessary, brushing and styling, ear, teeth, and eye cleaning as well as nail trimming. A grooming kit that allows you to groom your dog at home can be found for anywhere between $25 and $290 (Walmart, PetSmart, and Amazon for example), with an average cost of $75, depending on the equipment you require. Additional costs to consider Additional CostsRangeAverage CostLicense$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40 Dog Walking (per walk) $15 - $25 $20 Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 License Licenses usually fall in the $10-$20 range in the USA, depending on location. If your dog is not spayed or neutered, the cost is likely to be a little bit higher. We strongly recommend licensing your Irish Wolfhound, as it can be illegal, depending on state and territory legislation, to own an unlicensed dog. Moreover, it makes identification and locating in the case of emergencies much easier. Microchip Microchips create a unique identification for your dog, allowing them to be on medical and emergency databases. Microchips are required in many U.S. states and will range from $25-$50. Dog walking Irish Wolfhounds need daily exercise. Dog walkers like Tamaria Reddick would recommend hiring a professional to take the dog out at least once a day if owners do not have the time to dedicate themselves. Finding a good dog walker is easy thanks to apps like Rover and Wag. Expect to be charged $15-$25 for 30-minute group walks and $20-$50 for 1-hour ones. If the dog is not properly socialized, it might need private walks which are more expensive. Traveling In the case of extended travel plans, dog boarding services are available, provided you plan. They usually cost between $25-$85 a day, depending on location and time of year. During particularly busy stretches of the year, such as the holidays, you will need to book a dog boarding service in advance, as you are likely to increase your chance to find availability and get better rates. If you are on a tight budget, checking with friends or family members to see if they would be willing to host your Irish Wolfhound is a good idea, as bills can add up very quickly. Finally, you might be able to take your dog with you, as many airlines and train companies offer special provisions to help move your pets. You will have to submit a formal request ahead of time. Moreover, the cost varies drastically, as it depends on several variables. Yearly and monthly cost for an Irish Wolfhound The cost of an Irish Wolfhound puppy during the first year On average, using the metrics explained above, we have estimated that the cost of raising an Irish Wolfhound puppy for the first year falls in the $3,455 to $7,395 range, with an average cost of $5,300. Most of these expenses will have to be accounted for before welcoming the dog or early during the year. First Year CostsRangeAverage CostPuppy$1,400 - $2,500$2,000Supplies$245 - $925$495Training$900 - $1,200$1,050Medical$440 - $830$635Food & Treats$435 - $1,330$795Grooming$0 - $540$270License$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40First Year Total$3,455 - $7,395$5,300 Some owners will also want to consider the other costs introduced below. Optional First Year CostsRangeAverage CostSpay/Neuter$50 - $500$275Gastropexy$200 - $400$300Insurance$350 - $780$565Dog Walking (30 minutes per day)$15 - $25$20Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 If you choose to spay/neuter your Irish Wolfhound, buy insurance, board your dog for a week and hire a dog walker every weekday for 42 weeks, your expenses go up quite significantly, rising in the $7,380 to $14,920 range. Potential First Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$4,055 - $9,075$6,440With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$7,380 - $14,920$10,920 Yearly and monthly cost for an adult Irish Wolfhound After the first year, the cost of raising a dog does go down. The yearly cost for maintaining an Irish Wolfhound falling within the $970-$3,385 mark ($81-$282 monthly). Adult Year CostsRangeAverage CostSupplies$105 - $410$225Medical$525 - $1,025$775Food & Treats$330 - $1,390$745Grooming$0 - $540$270License$10 - $20$15Adult Year Total$970 - $3,385$2,030Estimated Monthly Cost$81 - $282$169 Once again, if you choose to hire a dog walker 50 weeks during the year and board your dog for another week, your costs are likely to grow significantly. If you add insurance, the cost for each subsequent year ends up being in the $5,245-$11,010 range. Potential Adult Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Insurance$1,320 - $4,165$2,595With Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$5,245 - $11,010$7,875 Total cost of ownership of an Irish Wolfhound On average, Irish Wolfhounds live close to 7 years (usually 6 to 8 years). This puts total expenses, using the figures outlined above, between $9,275 and $27,705, with an average cost of $17,480 through the course of the dog’s lifetime. Total Cost of Ownership (7 years)RangeAverage CostIrish Wolfhound$9,275 - $27,705$17,480 With optional services and procedures mentioned earlier the average total cost of ownership could rise as high as $58,170 over 7 years. Potential Total Cost of Ownership (7 years)RangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$11,975 - $34,065$22,010With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$38,850 - $80,980$58,170 Thank you for reading us! Stay tuned for more information about pet costs, product reviews and saving tips. PetBudget Irish Wolfhound cost calculator The cost of an Irish Wolfhound – A summary in 7 questions 1- How much is an Irish Wolfhound puppy? On average an Irish Wolfhound puppy will cost $2,000 in the USA. Most puppies can be found between $1,400 and $2,500. The price will vary depending on the breeder and location as well as the dog’s bloodline, color, and age among other things. 2 – How much are dog supplies? A new owner can expect an initial investment between $245 and $925 in supplies when welcoming an extra-large dog. Every year, the cost to renew some of them should be between $105 and $410. Prices vary depending on location, stores, brands, and products quality. 3 - Does an Irish Wolfhound need training and how much will it cost? Having an Irish Wolfhound professionally trained is usually recommended (both private and group training) and should cost around $900 to $1,200. For this breed, training should mainly focus on basic obedience, potty training, crate training, positive leadership, and house manners. 4 - What is the cost of preventive medical care for an Irish Wolfhound? Preventive medical care should amount to around $440 to $830 for an Irish Wolfhound puppy during the first year and around $525 to $1,025 every adult year. This does not include spay or neuter and gastropexy procedures (usually $200 to $500 and $200 to $400 respectively). 5 - How much food does an Irish Wolfhound eat and how much will it cost? An Irish Wolfhound puppy will eat around 410 lb. and an adult close to 450 lb. of dry food yearly (it varies for each dog and food brand). Annual expenses should be between $310 and $890 for a puppy and $205 to $900 for an adult dog. Other types of food and treats would increase the costs. 6 - How often should an Irish Wolfhound be professionally groomed and how much will it cost? Grooming an Irish Wolfhound is easy enough that most owners should be able to do it themselves. Those who prefer having their dog professionally groomed can expect up to 6 visits to a salon every year. Each session should cost from $65 to $90 depending on the dog and services needed. 7 – Are there any other expenses to expect? In the United States, a dog license usually costs between $10 and $20. The cost could be slightly higher if the dog is not spayed or neutered. Having the dog licensed is mandatory almost everywhere. A dog microchip costs $25 to $50 on average in the US and is generally implanted during a medical appointment. It is placed under the skin usually between the shoulder blades. Dogs adopted from a shelter or bought from a breeder sometimes already have a microchip. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry Report, the average annual price is $566 for accident and illness coverage plans or $190 for accident only plans. Dog walkers usually charge $15 to $25 for 30 minutes group walks and $20 to $50 for 1-hour long ones. Prices vary mainly depending on location. Private walks are more expensive. A dog owner should budget $25 to $85 per day for dog boarding services. Prices vary depending on location, time of the year, and the level of service among other things. To help you out, this guide contains all the primary expenses that are necessary to ensure your future dog's well-being. Make sure to take these considerations seriously before adopting or purchasing an Irish Wolfhound, as they are imperative to your dog leading a healthy, happy, and comfortable life in your home. Moreover, the dog should not be a financial burden on you or your family, so make sure to carefully read through each section to better understand the expenses that come with owning an Irish Wolfhound. Figures provided in this article are for informational purposes only. A dog owner should always find the actual costs applicable to his own situation before making any decision. References and Resources Leslie Brooks, DVM – Licensed Veterinarian Alexa Diaz, Ph. D. – Animal BehavioristCorryne Smith – Dog GroomerTamaria Reddick – Dog Walker, Pet SitterOrthopedic Foundation for AnimalsThe American Kennel ClubNorth American Pet Health Insurance AssociationAssociation of Professional Dog Trainers This article is original content from PetBudget.