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Family Who Share Their House With 10 Massive Irish Wolfhounds Are Literally Living The Dream

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

Published 

Family Who Share Their House With 10 Massive Irish Wolfhounds Are Literally Living The Dream

Featured Image Credit: Caters

If you're that person who gets envious of dog walkers with multiple pooches in the park (we relate!) then you might be a touch envious of this family with TEN huge Irish Wolfhounds.

Claire Mather, 44, and her hubby Jason, 47, spend hundreds of pounds a week on dog food for their hungry wolf pack, who take up a lot of room on the sofa!

The family even take their doggos down to the local pub - and while some people think they're barking mad, they wouldn't have it any other way.

The family spend hundreds of pounds a week on dog food (Credit: Caters)
The family spend hundreds of pounds a week on dog food (Credit: Caters)
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The family from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, got their first Irish Wolfhound eight years ago and now live with 10 of the giant dogs - which are on average the tallest breed in the world.

Claire, Jason, NGL, you're living our dream!

The dogs, called Cilla, Bella, Ragnar, Bigfoot, Lena, Nell, Fame, Geronimo, Hilary and Inca, share their home with three other dogs, a Whippet called Salad, a Lurcher called Bentley and a White Swiss Shepherd dog.

Claire and Jason also have three children together - Eve, 23, Jack, 21 and Nell, 15.

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The breed is on average the tallest dog in the world (Credit: Caters)
The breed is on average the tallest dog in the world (Credit: Caters)

Together the family run Austonley, a company which breeds Wolfhounds, sells pet food and accessories and rents field space out to dog walkers.

Unable to walk all dogs at once, they go for several walks a day and spend the rest of their time cleaning, prepping food and grooming.

The hounds even have their own lounge complete with two double beds, a single bed and sofas, but prefer to snuggle up with their human owners.

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There's also a kitchen and bathroom specifically for dog food prep, eating and washing - but the pooches are free to roam the house as they please.

The family run Austonley, a company which breeds Wolfhounds (Credit: Caters)
The family run Austonley, a company which breeds Wolfhounds (Credit: Caters)

For outings, the family have a special van to transport the 13-strong pack.

Claire said: "We absolutely bought this house for the dogs. They all live in our home as part of the family rather than out in a kennel, barn or stable.

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"They have their own living room, with a single bed, sofa and smart TV but to be honest they seem to prefer it in our living room.

"They also have their own kitchen and bathroom so there is plenty of room for them but they are free to wander around the whole house as they like.

On day trips, the hounds have to be transported in a special van (Credit: Caters)
On day trips, the hounds have to be transported in a special van (Credit: Caters)

"We don't have a set routine as such but everyone gets to go out on a walk at least once a day. We have to go out whether it's raining, snowing or hailing, they need their exercise so that's always a priority.

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"Where we live has everything needed to exercise these big powerful hounds, including woodland, moorland, river and reservoir walks, with 90 per cent off lead.

"Plus, we are surrounded by tons of dog friendly pubs for some very serious doggy socialising.

"They're spoilt to bits to be honest. It is hard work but the best things in life usually are.

"People sometimes give us odd looks or perhaps wonder why we would want so many dogs but when we got our first Irish Wolfhound eight years ago, she changed our lives.

"Living with our hounds is our life and we wouldn't change it for the world."

Topics: Dog, Pets, Family, Life, Real Life

Mary-Jane Wiltsher
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