About the Irish Wolfhound Foundation

The Irish Wolfhound Foundation has three areas of focus:

Health

• By initiating, supporting and providing funding for study and research projects which address health problems affecting the Irish Wolfhound.
• By creating educational materials relating to diseases, genetic anomalies, and injuries which occur in the Irish Wolfhound for IW owners and veterinary health care providers.

Education

• By establishing a library of resource materials.
• By providing educational opportunities for caretakers of the breed and partnering with the IWCA and regional IW organizations for educational events.

Rescue

• By supporting the rescue efforts of the IWCA, regional IW organizations, and individuals who rehome and care for Irish Wolfhounds in need.

Some Accomplishments

• The IW Lifetime Cardiac Study - completed and published a definitive study of cardiac health in IWs.
• The Echocardiogram vs. EKG Study - a study which determined an EKG alone is a sufficient screening tool for cardiac disease in the adult Irish Wolfhound.
• Osteosarcoma Gene Study - a partnership with the Broad Institute to try and find genetic marker(s) for osteosarcoma in Irish Wolfhounds.
• Support for Morris Animal Foundation and AKC Canine Health Foundation studies of health conditions affecting Irish Wolfhounds.
• Support for IW rescue efforts, including the massive rescue of 72 Irish Wolfhounds in Texas in 2014.
• Sponsorship and subsidized fees for Irish Wolfhound health clinics at IW specialties in the US and Canada.
• Focus, our biannual educational newsletter
• Educational Speakers including William Tyrrell, DVM, DACVIM; Janice M. Bright, BSN, DVM, DACVIM; Dr. Nicola Mason, VetMed PhD, DACVIM; Anne Janis, PhD; Petra Jakobs, Ph.D.; William Dernell, MS, DVM, DACVS; Nathan B. Sutter, Ph.D.