Loyal • Protective • Sensitive
Ever since I was a wee lad I wanted Irish wolfhounds, but it wasn’t until I was much, much older that I found myself in the position; of owning enough land and having the time to actually realise my dream.
Spéir was born on 6 December 2019, in Carrickaderry, County Monaghan, in the East of Ireland.
When Spéir came home to Islandeady in County Mayo with us she was three months old and a beautiful black pup. It was the start of a relationship with my first Irish Wolfhound, and it wasn’t long before I realised what a cunning and clever hound she is.
As Speir has grown older her talents have developed. She has become very protective and will always keep me with-in her sight range.
When Speir wants to go for a walk, she will let me know. She will come to me and start pushing her head against me – as though to say ‘come on’
Speir’s favourite walk is through woodland, she loves the sounds and the smells and all the movement. Her favourite days on the beach are whenever the weather is blustery with high winds and rain.
When we go walking or hunting, Speir can see things that I cannot and she can communicate that to me by coming up to my side, standing still, while raising her head up high and curling her tail upwards. I know then that she can see a rabbit, or a hare and she will wait for my response. Speir is a natural hunter.
I found that when Speir was about ten months old, that she had stolen my heart. When Speir looks at you, you can see that she is thinking and through her eyes you can sense depth and wisdom. When she meets someone for the first time, she will always stay back and watch and listen to me talking. When she sees and feels that I am relaxed with the person, she will come forward towards them and let them greet her.
In the mornings when I let Speir out of her pen, she wants to play first thing. We play a game, that I call ‘Chicken’ where she runs away from me, and she then stops about 100 metres away. Speir will then turn and stare at me.
She will tear up the ground with her two front paws, never taking her eyes off me. The game is on. I will stretch my two arms out towards her, and she will take off in a charge towards me, picking up speed very fast. All I have to do is trust in her and stay my ground. As long as I do not move an inch, she will fly past within a hare’s breath of my person. If I don’t play this game with her in the morning Speir’s feelings will be hurt and she will be sad for a few hours, so it is a must!
At home she will always find the highest point to sit and survey the countryside – always alert, always on the lookout, as is natural with the site-hound that she is.
She will tear up the ground with her two front paws, never taking her eyes off me. The game is on. I will stetch my two arms out towards her, and she will take off in a charge towards me, picking up speed very fast. All I have to do is trust in her and stay my ground. As long as I do not move an inch, she will fly past within a hare’s breath of my person. If I don’t play this game with her in the morning Speir’s feelings will be hurt and she will be sad for a few hours, so it is a must! At home she will always find the highest point to sit and survey the countryside – always alert, always on the lookout, as natural with the site-hound that she is.
Brave • Confident • Obedient
Mairtin was born on 18th October 2020 in Rathcrona, Co. Clare, in the West of Ireland.
He came to live with us in Co. Mayo on New Year's Eve, 2020.
Mairtin is a very friendly wolfhound. He loves his walks on the beach and interacting with other dogs but most of all he loves meeting people. He is quick to trust and shows a lot of affection.
When people first meet Máirtín, they are usually cautious as he is so big, strong and confident and he looks ferocious, but they realise very soon that he has a very soft and gentle nature and just wants to please. He loves being petted and stroked and will very often nudge someone when he wants more attention, he especially loves hugs.
Sometimes when we are on a walk another dog will start barking at him, but he always stays firm and rises above the commotion, continuing his walk as though oblivious to all. He is confident in himself and doesn't get nervous or flustered or sway from his own comfortable peaceful place.
One of the main events Martin loves is taking part in is the St Patrick’s Day Parade, in Westport, Co. Mayo. He knows he is big and handsome, and simply glories in all the attention and practically poses when getting his photograph taken! Mairtin loves his food, he is very patient when it is being prepared, he will sit and wait until it is all in his bowl and then he will gollop it down in no time at’all. For some reason he loves a banana, and Speir cannot understand this, and she just watches him eat the banana with a disgusted look on her face. I feel privileged to be the guardian of these two magnificent wolfhounds, it was a life-long dream come true. And I hope to be able to share my Walking with the Wolfhounds Experience with others for many years to come.