The Bilkau family album

Life, seen at Bilkau.

Thirty moments from first breaths and unsteady paws to the calm, oversized companionship of a hound at home.

Not a catalogue. A life unfolding.

These are ordinary Bilkau days: puppies sleeping in a warm pile, adults folding themselves across the furniture, time outdoors, close company and the occasional show ring.

Dates record when a photograph was taken where that information is available. Select any photograph for a larger view.

First days

Beginnings

Quiet, closely watched days with mothers, newborns and growing litters.

Irish Wolfhound mother lying in a whelping box while two puppies nurse — 2020A mother and her growing puppies.

Grey Irish Wolfhound mother lying beside a tiny newborn puppy — 2021Safe against her mother's neck.

Tiny newborn brindle Irish Wolfhound puppy sleeping in a person's hand — 2019Small enough to fit in one hand.

Adult brindle Irish Wolfhound resting its face beside a tiny newborn puppy — 2019New life under a watchful nose.

Large litter of Irish Wolfhound puppies sleeping together in a wooden whelping box — 2021The warm geometry of a sleeping litter.

Small brindle Irish Wolfhound puppy cuddled against the face of an adult hound — 2021Close company from the beginning.

Newborn Irish Wolfhound puppy asleep while cradled in two hands — 2021Handled carefully, watched closely.

Brindle Irish Wolfhound puppy and small black kitten sleeping side by side — 2021Learning that home is shared.

Long legs arriving

Growing up

The brief puppy months – curiosity, sleep, companionship and the first hints of the adult hound.

Young brindle Irish Wolfhound puppy lying alert on a sunny green lawn — 2021A first glimpse of the hound to come.

Woman cuddling a large brindle Irish Wolfhound puppy outdoors — 2021Raised close to people.

Irish Wolfhound puppy Chewbacca walking towards the camera through grass — ArchiveChewbacca, paws first into the world.

Close view of a fuzzy brindle Irish Wolfhound puppy beside a food bowl — 2021Curiosity at bowl height.

Irish Wolfhound puppy fast asleep on a couch beside a white teddy bear — ArchiveThe serious work of growing.

Smiling woman holding an Irish Wolfhound puppy over her shoulder in a backyard — 2021Still just small enough to carry.

The everyday

At home

The breed's real scale is measured in occupied couches, borrowed laps and the desire to remain close.

Woman relaxing on a couch beside a large wheaten Irish Wolfhound — 2019A house companion in the fullest sense.

Irish Wolfhound asleep on a rug while a woman relaxes beside a fireplace — 2021Life around the hearth.

Siamese cat curled on the back of an Irish Wolfhound sleeping across a couch — 2023The couch is shared accommodation.

Grey Irish Wolfhound resting its head on a person's lap beside a swimming pool — 2020Every lap is the right size.

Boy lying on a tiled patio cuddling a relaxed Irish Wolfhound — 2019Company without ceremony.

Space to be a hound

Out in the world

Garden paths, open ground, sea air and the long outline that makes an Irish Wolfhound unmistakable.

2022The breed's scale, held in one quiet greeting.

Young grey Irish Wolfhound standing with its front paws on a low garden wall — 2022A better view over the garden wall.

Boy crouching in a field while petting three large Irish Wolfhounds — 2019Three hounds, one set of hands.

Brindle Irish Wolfhound sitting on a sandy beach facing the sea — 2021Sea air and a distant horizon.

2019At the gate, watching the world.

2020Wheaten coat in the garden light.

Two grey Irish Wolfhounds resting together in green bushveld — 2020A pause in the bushveld shade.

Expression and outline

Portraits & the ring

The wiry brow, steady eye and galloping-hound outline – at rest, up close and moving through a show ring.

2021The rough profile against open sky.

Close portrait of a brindle Irish Wolfhound with a wiry brow and amber eye — 2021The expression beneath the wiry brow.

Macro view of an Irish Wolfhound's eye and wiry facial coat — 2022Coat and character in close detail.

Young handler gaiting a brindle Irish Wolfhound at an outdoor dog show — ArchiveLearning together in the show ring.

The dogs behind the photographs

Come back to the whole story.

The album shows moments. Our family page tells you about the people, principles and lifelong responsibility around them.

Meet the Bilkau family Explore the breed