IRISH WOLFHOUND
APPEARANCE
The most distinguishing physical feature of the Irish Wolfhound is its great size. Its head is long, with a slightly pointed muzzle, ears that are held back on the sides of the head, and an expression of kindness and nobility. Its tail is long, thick, slightly curved and covered with hair. This breed has a hard, bristle-like coat texture that is designed to keep them warm in cold temperatures. The coloring of the coat can vary and includes brindle, black, white, red, fawn, and gray. The weight of the Irish Wolfhound is around 105-125 pounds for females and around 120-155 pounds for males.
PERSONALITY
Irish Wolfhounds are sweet-tempered, patient, generous, thoughtful and can be trusted with children. Dignified and willing, they are unconditionally loyal to their owner and family. They tend to greet everyone as a friend, so use of them as watch dogs is not recommended; although when they or their owners are put in real danger, they display a fearless nature.
TRAINING
The Irish Wolfhound is intelligent and a fairly quick learner, which can help to make training easier. They love to please their master so as long as basic obedience is taught in a firm but positive manner, there will be no problems. Negative training methods will not aide this dog. He should be taught as a puppy not to pull on the leash at this breed is very powerful and it can prove to be a problem in the future.
EXERCISE
The Irish Wolfhound does need a fair amount of exercise, but while still growing care should be taken not to provide physical activity that may be too strenuous for him as he continues to grow. Exercise should be kept to a moderate level as too much can be hard on their bodies which will affect them when they reach adulthood. For older dogs daily walks and a safe, secured area in which to run will suffice.
SOCIALIZATION
The Irish Wolfhound is an easy going dog, and is friendly, sociable, and good with children - although do take care around smaller children because of his size. He quickly bonds with his family and does very well with other dogs and cats if he is properly socialized around them. These dogs also tend to get along fine with strangers. The Irish Wolfhound is not an aggressive or suspicious dog.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest of dog breeds so they are well suited to rural life; but their medium energy profile allows them to adjust fairly well to suburban and urban life as well, provided they receive appropriate exercise.
GROOMING
The Irish Wolfhound will need to be brushed about once or twice per week. Plucking their coat should be done about 2 or 3 times per year just to make sure all the dead fur is removed. The beard of this breed must be cleaned regularly. The Irish Wolfhound is a low to medium shedder, but with proper grooming shedding can be kept to a minimum, which can be helpful for those that suffer from allergies.
HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Irish Wolfhound, as with many other larger breeds, is relatively short at 6-8 years. Dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer are the leading cause of death and like all deep-chested dogs, gastric torsion (bloat) is also common; the breed is also affected by hereditary intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.
HISTORY
The breed is very old, possibly from the 1st century BC or earlier, bred as war dogs by the ancient Celts. The Irish continued to breed them for this purpose, as well as to guard their homes and protect their stock. The breed was almost wiped out in the mid-1800s. The Irish Wolfhound was registered with the AKC in 1897.
