Hi,
          I am thinking seriously (VERY!) about buying an Irish Wolfhound puppy bitch. I live in close proximity to sheep ( 4ft fencing) Is there a possibility of sheep chasing? Big garden all fenced, lots of fields to run and beaches close by. I have bred Pyrennean Mountain dogs and Golden Retrievers, so not phased by work, walks or size. I have two rescue dogs, both gentle and loyal and one interested in sheep but can't jump the fence! My main worry is the height of the fence and possibility of sheep chasing.
                                      Hope somebody can help!
                                        Regards
                                          Cleo

Don't know much about Wolfhounds but I see 2 when I walk my dogs, they live next to a field full of sheep. They have an ordinary "field gate" which I would have thought they could easily jump and they don't seem to bother. Why don't you get in touch with the breed club & ask them?

My sister had a Wolfhound it was too lazy to do anything. From my experience they are very laid back to bother sheep. But at the end of the day they are dogs with an instinct. Good luck.

Thanks for your help, I found somebody today who used to own a Wolf hound so will get more advice
                              Cheers

Four foot sounds very low to contain a dog of this size who is after all a hunting breed.  I would not be happy to keep any breed, any where, town or country without appropriately high fencing to ensure that they could not escape no matter what incentive presented itself.  I like to let my dogs out into the garden, maybe in the dark knowing them to be absolutely secure.  Only one escape could prove fatal either by road accident or farmers shot gun and personally I could not live with my self if I felt I had not done everything reasonable to prevent that.  Perhaps a smaller area close to the house could be more firmly secured for when you are not able to supervise.