Irish Wolfhound

  

Summary

• Take plenty of time to get to know the Irish Wolfhound if you are considering getting one.
• It is a distinctive family dog that thrives best with its own family.
• Irish Wolfhound is independent and intelligent.
• It has a harmonious and loving nature in the company of its family.
• The breed thrives in the Nordic climate, but cannot tolerate high heat.

H history

The history of the Irish Wolfhound is both fascinating and mysterious. Although we do not know exactly how old the breed is and where it originally came from, burials in Wales suggest an age of over 5,000 years. The earliest known mention of the breed is in a letter from Symmachus written in AD 39, in which he thanks his brother for receiving seven wolfhounds. These dogs were known for their enormous size, beauty, strength, courage and loyalty to their owner. They were used for hunting big game such as wild boar, wolf and deer, as well as as war dogs.

Characteristics and mentality

In short, the Irish Wolfhound is a large, friendly, loving, indulgent and aristocratic dog. It is notable for its impressive size. Despite its size, it is not clumsy or difficult to have indoors. It is calm and spends most of its time in a relaxed state. The Irish Wolfhound is friendly and has a deterrent effect due to its size. It attaches itself strongly to its family and also considers cats, dogs and other domestic animals as part of the family.

Size and appearance

The Irish Wolfhound is not as heavy and massive as the Great Dane, but is more similar to a Scottish Deerhound in appearance. It is large, imposing, muscular and powerful, while also being elegant. It moves freely and actively, with the neck and head held high, and the tail slightly arched. The breed’s size and impressive appearance are, together with power, vitality, courage and harmony important characteristics. The fur is wiry and hard on the body, legs and head, especially above the eyes and under the jaw. The colors can be grey, brindle, red, black, pure white or fawn, as well as all colors approved for Scottish Deerhound. Male dogs should be at least 79 cm in height at the withers, and bitches at least 71 cm.

Health

Irish Wolfhounds are generally healthy, but can get life-threatening diseases such as heart failure, bone cancer, pneumonia and stomach twist. Due to their large size, veterinary costs can be high in the event of illness or injury, so good insurance is highly recommended. The average lifespan is around 7.5 years, and bitches usually live half a year longer than males.

Fur grooming

Irish Wolfhound requires some grooming. The fur must be maintained by regular brushing and grooming to keep it in good condition.

Want to know more about the breed?

In general, it is recommended to contact the Irish Wolfhound breed club if you are interested in learning more about the breed.Good luck!