Irish Wolfhound: temperament, size, care and health

About the Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of the recognized breeds in terms of minimum height, with males expected to stand at least thirty-two inches at the shoulder and many reaching more. The dog is lean but powerful, with a long neck, a deep chest, a strong arched back and a rough, wiry coat. Colors include gray, brindle, red, black, white and fawn. The overall look suggests a huge greyhound dressed in thatch.

It was bred to hunt big game, including wolves, by sight and speed, and to guard the household. The size that served this purpose is also the source of the breed's difficulties today: a very large dog costs a lot to feed, needs a lot of room and often lives a short life.

Temperament and family life

The nature of the breed is mild. A wolfhound is calm and quiet indoors, friendly with its family and usually polite with guests. It is rarely a barker and not suspicious of strangers, though its size gives it a deterrent presence. Most are affectionate to the point of leaning against a favorite person.

With children it is gentle and patient, but a young wolfhound is a gangly, powerful animal that can topple a toddler without meaning to. It generally accepts other dogs well. Its sighthound instinct means that small animals, including cats that run, may be chased. It does not like being left isolated, because it needs human company.

Exercise and training

An adult Irish Wolfhound enjoys a daily walk and the chance to stretch out in a fenced field. It is not an endurance dog, though it can sprint, and it should not be exercised hard while young. Puppies grow very fast, and heavy exercise, stairs and jumping during that stage can damage growing joints. A fence of good height is needed, as the dog is a capable jumper and will chase moving targets.

Wolfhounds are sensitive, intelligent and able to learn, but they are not eager workers and get bored by repetition. Training with kindness works; harsh methods do not. Early lessons in leash manners are important, as an untrained adult is hard to restrain. They need a soft place to sleep to prevent calluses on elbows and hips.

Grooming and shedding

The rough coat needs combing at least once or twice a week to prevent tangles and mats, especially behind the ears, on the legs and under the beard. Many owners have the coat plucked or stripped a couple of times a year to keep it hard and tidy, which a groomer familiar with the breed can do. Shedding is moderate, though the sheer size of the dog makes the amount of hair seem large.

Whiskers and beard collect food and water. Nails must be kept short and the feet checked for cuts. Teeth need regular care as in any large breed.

Health

The breed has one of the shortest lifespans among dogs, commonly six to eight years. Major risks are bone cancer, dilated cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) and bloat, an emergency in which the stomach swells and may twist. Liver shunts, hip dysplasia, eye conditions and a few other disorders are also recorded. Breeders commonly screen hearts, and breed clubs run health registries and encourage open reporting. Because of the short lifespan, asking a breeder about the ages and causes of death in a puppy's family is reasonable. This is general information about the Irish Wolfhound, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

Large hounds are associated with Ireland in old records, and the breed nearly vanished in the eighteenth century as wolves disappeared. In the nineteenth century Captain George Graham worked to revive it, using surviving wolfhounds with the Scottish Deerhound and other large breeds. Graham founded the Irish Wolfhound Club and a breed standard in 1885, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1897, and the dog remains a symbol of Ireland.

Is the Irish Wolfhound right for you?

A wolfhound suits a patient household with a large home, a fenced yard and a car big enough for the dog, and owners who accept a short time together. It is a poor choice for someone on a small budget, with limited space or hoping for a long-lived companion.

For a similar look with a somewhat smaller frame, look at the Scottish Deerhound. For an elegant Russian sighthound, there is the Borzoi, and for another gentle giant of a different type, the Great Dane.