Better late than never right? LOL
So I will tell you about Finn, who is in most ways a very typical IW. Big, lazy, goofy and smart. He learned commands quickly and knows when to use them. Example: we teach all of our dogs that they cannot come in or go out a dor without first sitting and waiting for an "ok". If Finn goes to the door he sits. If he forgets I just don't open the door. It takes him about 3 seconds to go "oh yes, I remember" and do it. He likes to stay close, following me from room to room. I can sometimes go into the next room, but if I stay gone too long or go upstairs he will come to find me. He doesn't demand attention other than just being near me, but loves to be loved on! The lean he does when I rub him or scratch him is the sweetest! Head hugs: he puts his head down and presses it up against me. I melt every time! He is a bit skiddish of people he doesn't know, which is fairly common for dogs as family loyal as IW's, but Finn was not socialized much before we got him (at 5 months old) so it's a bit more so with him. By skiddish I mean he tries to hide. I have only seen him "not like" someone 3 times and all 3 times I agreed with him! He barked and growled at them, but made no move to bite or anything. He also barks when someone walks up to our house, which I encourage and he stops when I say "ok". Did I mention he's very goofy!?
He can easliy be walked off leash because he wouldn't dream of leaving my side. Sight hounds run, I'm told when they want to chase something, but I have never seen this from him...though I am still very careful about where I walk him off leash.
One of the things I have never liked about puppies is how active they are. Like a 2 year old on speed! IW's however do not have this issue. He is lazy. Very lazy. When I take him to the park to play he will play and LOVES it! But when in the house he seldom gets very active. Now and then he will pick up his bone, toss it, go get it and do it again. It lasts for about 5 mins. But IW's should not be exercised much till after they turn 1, so a romp in the yard in plenty for them.
My only "complaint" (if one can call it that) is that he is more illness-prone than my other 2 dogs. He gets rashes from time to time (they are easy to deal with) and seems more fragile so I worry about him more. The breed is prone to other illness (cancer etc.) That didn't keep us from wanting one simply because anyone, dog or person can get sick, die, or not get sick and live for a long time. One never knows.
He's clumsy, due to his paws being too big for him! Backed into a cactus (ouch!) and knocked it over trying to get away from it. Sometimes he trips over his own feet.
He is great with children of all ages and wonderful with my cats. He playes with my little "special needs" cat and is very gentle with her. He is also very gentle with small or sick children. He loves other dogs!
Ok, so the poops are huge and he gets smelly and needs a bath every couple of weeks. Just a water rinse helps a lot, and shampooing too often bothers his skin.
I never want to live in a house with an IW again. He is so sweet. He can't be left home alone for more than 10 hours or he will get lonely for me, but he is so well behaved I can bring him almost anywhere with me.
May I ask where you are from Matt? Perhaps you could find someone close to you to let you spend time with their IW. From what you said it sounds like a good breed for you. Keep in mind the amount of food, and it often costs more for any meds he might need.
Good luck and feel free to ask anymore questions you might have. I'm so in love with him! Even if he needs his own couch and can steal food off the counter!
Vicki