Origin
The name Irish Wolfhound originates from their originally use as a wolf hunter. It is believed that the Irish Wolfhound is a very old breed possibly dating back to the 1st century BC. They have had many uses throughout the years they have been used for guarding herds and property, hunting Irish elk, deer, boar, and even wolves, they were also used during war times. Boar and wolf became extinct in Ireland and as a result the Irish Wolfhound declined in population. They were held in such high esteem that battles were fought over them. Irish Wolfhounds were often given as royal presents.
Description
The Irish Wolfhound gives the appearance of both strength and grace. The Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest breeds in the world. This gentle giant can reach the size of a small pony. Standing on their hind legs the Irish Wolfhound can reach over 2 metres! They have a rough, shaggy coat and wiry eyebrows. Their paws are large and round, with arched toes and strong, curved nails. They have a long head with a moderately pointed muzzle and a well muscular arched neck. Their chest is very deep and it has a well retracted abdomen and strong shoulders. Their tail hangs down with a slight curve.
| Size | Giant |
| Colour | The Irish Wolfhound is founded in a variety of colours such as; grey, grey roan, red, black, roe deer coloured, and plain white. |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Weight/Height Range | The dog stands at 79 - 86cms and the bitch at 71 - 77cms. Their weight depends on the size and build of the dog or bitch but is normally around 68 to 91 kgs. |
| Ailments | These dogs are subject to bloat, as any deep chested large dogs are. They are also prone to bone cancer, PRA, Von Willebrands and cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia. |
Feeding & Ownership
It is imperative they are given the correct feeding when young to ensure correct growth and development of bones. Over-supplementation, along with feeding lesser quality food can result in growth complications.
| Food Cost | More than $20 |
| Other Expenses | After the normal costs for caring for you puppy, it is strongly recommended your puppy receive regular health check-ups at your vet. |
Personality
The Irish Wolfhound is a sweet-tempered, friendly, gentle-natured dog that is suitable for a family with children, unconditionally loyal to their owner and family. This breed normally gets on well with other dogs. This is also true for other animals if the dog is well socialised with other animals as a puppy. It is important that you provide mental and physical exercise, to avoid separation anxiety.
| Intelligence | The Irish Wolfhound is very intelligent breed, that is relatively easy to train. A gentle approach with plenty of understanding will go a long way. |
| Energy | Medium |
| Suitability for Children | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | These giant dogs need lots of space to run, but do not need any more exercise than smaller breeds, they need a daily walk. it is important to remember to avoid long distance walks and exercise as it is too taxing for their bodies, as it takes two years for their bodies to fully develop. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | Medium |
| Ease of Transportation | Low |
| Level of Aggression | Low Medium |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
Their rough coat needs regular brushing and combing once a week with a stiff bristle brush to remove the dead hair, and bath once every two weeks in the warmer months and bathe once a month in the colder months. Their coat also requires being plucked twice a year to remove excess dead hair
| Grooming Requirements | Once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Moderate |
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