Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Irish Wolfhound
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Irish Wolfhound Will Have
- How Big Will a Irish Wolfhound Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Irish Wolfhound Puppy
- How Long is a Irish Wolfhound Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Irish Wolfhound
- Conclusion on Irish Wolfhound Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Irish Wolfhound
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 15 different Irish Wolfhound birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Irish Wolfhounds can have is 6 puppies. Also, the Irish Wolfhound can have as few as 2 puppies per litter and as many as 14 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Irish Wolfhound compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Irish Wolfhound Will Have
Irish Wolfhound Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Irish Wolfhound will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Irish Wolfhound is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Irish Wolfhound litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Irish Wolfhound will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Irish Wolfhound
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Irish Wolfhound will have if your Irish Wolfhound gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Irish Wolfhound. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Irish Wolfhound at different ages. This table applies to a Irish Wolfhound that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 8 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 3 | 7 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 4 | 7 puppies | 5 to 10 puppies |
| 5 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 6 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 7 | 6 puppies | 3 to 10 puppies |
| 8 | 6 puppies | 2 to 10 puppies |
| 9 | 5 puppies | 1 to 9 puppies |
How Big Will a Irish Wolfhound Puppy Get?
A Irish Wolfhound puppy will grow up to weigh around 115 to 180 pounds. Furthermore, a Irish Wolfhound puppy will grow up to be 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Irish Wolfhound weight and how big Irish Wolfhounds grow here
How Much is a Irish Wolfhound Puppy
The average price of a Irish Wolfhound puppy is $1730. The price of a Irish Wolfhound puppy ranges from $1000 to $2100.
Since the Irish Wolfhound has an average litter size of 6, therefore a Irish Wolfhound litter birth is worth $10380.
To learn more about the price of Irish Wolfhound puppy, check our review on how much Irish Wolfhound puppy cost, and Irish Wolfhound buying advice.
How Long is a Irish Wolfhound Pregnant?
Irish Wolfhounds are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Irish Wolfhounds can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Irish Wolfhound conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Irish Wolfhound for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Irish Wolfhound
To ensure that your Irish Wolfhound successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Irish Wolfhound well: A good diet will ensure that your Irish Wolfhound has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Irish Wolfhound is in good health: Ensure you take your Irish Wolfhound to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Irish Wolfhound gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Irish Wolfhound is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Irish Wolfhound Litter Size
Irish Wolfhounds can have 6 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Irish Wolfhound will have depends on factors such as the age of the Irish Wolfhound and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Irish Wolfhounds the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Irish Wolfhound. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Irish Wolfhound gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Irish Wolfhounds in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.