A couple from England who lives with 11 Irish wolfhounds in a three-bedroom house has revealed they spend more than £15,000 (approx. $18,600) a year on dog food.
47-year-old Claire Moorhouse and her husband, Jason Mather, 50, from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, have pets aged between 6 months and 8 years old.
In 2011, the couple got their first wolfhound, Cilla, and immediately fell in love.
Two years later, they decided to start breeding the animals and welcomed their first litter in 2013.
The decision to breed the animals came from their mutual love for wolfhounds and also because they had a desire to show dogs that they'd “bred themselves.”
“We felt a connection to this breed, ” Ms. Moorehouse said. “They perfectly suit our lifestyle, active when required and calm when in our home.”
Over time, the couple learned more about wolfhounds and discovered they are deeply loyal creatures, but it’s essential to earn their respect.
“They are independent thinkers, and we love living with them and sharing our life with them,” Mr. Mather said.
As the pack got bigger so did their house.
Five years ago, they sold their house to buy a bigger one, in order to could give the dogs more space.
“Everything gets bigger. Your house gets bigger. Your food bill gets bigger. Your car gets bigger,” Mr. Mather, a maintenance engineer, said.
Although the couple didn’t reveal the price of the house, Ms. Moorehouse said their new dwelling, which includes 3 acres of land to walk the dogs on, was double the price of their previous home.
“We needed a bigger property, so the dogs could have some space,” Ms. Moorhouse said.
Additionally, the couple spends an average of £300 (approx. $370) a week on food for the dogs, bringing the yearly total to £15,600 (approx. $19,305).
The couple’s largest wolfhound, Wilson, is heavier than an average male adult human at 85.1kg (187.6 pounds).
For their upkeep, which includes cleaning, blankets, treats, and toys, the couple spends about £15,000 (approx. $18,560).
In addition to the huge financial investment, the couple also invests all their personal time in their pack.
“It’s busy, but it’s a lifestyle. It’s not just having a dog,” Ms. Moorhouse said. “There’s heartache. It’s hard to bear losing them. You can’t go out on New Year’s Eve. You can’t take any holidays.”
The couple said they also need to plan ahead every time they leave the house.
Despite this, they have no regrets and both are still deeply in love with their lifestyle.
“When I was a kid, my dad worked in a manor house that had these wolfhounds, and I just fell in love,” Mr. Mather said. “They seemed like these giant, friendly, fluffy magical creatures.”
The pack not only adds more positivity to their lives but also ensures that there is no possibility of being burgled.
“We’re also part of a community now,” Ms. Moorehouse said. “We’ve made so many friends, we never sit down, but you'll never hear us say we’re bored.”
