The ancestors of the Irish Wolfhound may have arrived in Ireland with
the Celts from Europe. He was also popular with the ancient Romans. As a
hunter of wolves, the popularity of the breed declined when the wolf population
declined in Ireland. The breed type was revived during the 1840s through
the efforts of Captain G.A. Graham of the British army who crossed the few
remaining Wolfhound type dogs with the Great Dane and the Scottish Deerhound.
Today, the Irish Wolfhound is the national dog of Ireland. The breed standard
was established in Ireland in 1885. The Irish Wolfhound was recognized by
the American Kennel Club in 1950.
The Irish Wolfhound is friendly, kind and loyal, thus he is an excellent
companion. Because he is very calm and dignified, without harshness of attitude,
he does not make an effective guard or watch dog. He is the tallest dog
in the world so needs plenty of room to move about and exercise. Apartment
life is not a good home environment for him.
The Irish Wolf hound is a large dog who is very muscular yet graceful. His
head is long with little definition between the top of the skull and the
muzzle. The bite is scissors. The ears are small, rose shaped, and hang
down along the neck. The neck is long, muscular and well arched. The chest
is deep and the back is long. The body is longer than it is tall. The legs
are long and straight. The coat is rough, harsh and wiry on the head. The
hair is long around the eyes and the bottom of the jaw. Coat colors include
gray, brindle, red, black, white, fawn, wheaten, steel gray. The tail is
long, moderately thick and slightly curved. The Irish Wolfhound stands from
30 to 34 inches tall at the withers and weighs between 90 and 120 pounds.
manny@sprynet.com of Texas writes:
Not for everyone.
I have had Wolfhounds in my home for nine years and will never again
live without one. For me, they get five stars. However, they are not the
perfect dog. The Irish Wolfhound is an extremely pack-oriented animal and
cannot be left alone for extended periods of time. They should be kept inside
the home with a large, fenced area (an acre or more) for exercise. Their
hair is longer and thicker than you think because it looks short on such
a huge animal. Beware the constant shedding. They have to be with their
people all the time so they are always in the way. They learn quickly not
to jump up when someone steps over them but accidents happen. They love
children but knock them over. IWs chase ANYTHING that moves. Cats, squirrels,
bunnies, and other dogs are all fair game. Both my boys have chased deer.
They cannot be left unattended in an unfenced area, they can be miles away
in a half-hour if something invites them to a chase.
If you want a Wolfhound; read about them, talk to breeders, attend some
dog shows. Make sure you understand their need for your constant companionship.
When you get one, enjoy them every minute. Every accident, every mistake
is a fleeting moment in their very short lives.
Name withheld by request of U.S. writes:
Wonderful dogs, but watch out for health problems.
I had two Wolfies (as we affectionately dubbed them). They were littermates,
and wonderful dogs. They loved us, and we loved them. They were very trainable
dogs, with an occasional dominance challenge, and very lazy. We often called
them "big gray rugs." But just over six months ago, one of them
passed away due to lymphoma. Then, not even two weeks ago, the other dog
was diagnosed with an incurable heart disease and put to sleep.Wolfies are
such big dogs that heart problems are not uncommon. Anyone who can handle
the possibility of having a dog die prematurely (the first dog was three
and the other one had just passed his fourth birthday) and a big dog, of
course, I would recommend this breed to. They love children, and lots of
other people too. Having two Wolfies is a good idea because they will play
together and chase each other around.
pvhs@onperfect.com of Burlington, ME writes:
The most perfect creature under heaven.
Irish Wolfhounds are the original gentle giants; my dearest of the eight
I've had passed on. She was seven and a half, blind (and spayed, of course)
and 174 pounds of loving kindness. Her heart gave out. We have a 2.3-pound
Pom/Chihuahua mix who always slept on "Auntie Kay." Sometimes
people have a problem with the fact that they tend not to live quite as
long as smaller dogs, but I agree with the man who said to me, "People
who feel that way don't understand just how much joy an Irish Wolfhound
gives its guardians every single day." There is no dog like them in
the world, and just as stated above, one is never enough. Never overfeed,
or over exercise, especially for the first year! Our Irish Wolfhounds are
our well-beloved friends; they have their own couches, which you seriously
must consider, if you have an IW p; they will gladly share if you ask!
entertheiceman@hotmail.com of St. Martin, OH writes:
There are dogs, and then there are Wolfhounds.
The Irish Wolfhound truly sets itself apart from all other breeds in
mannerisms and habits. The consumate companion, they NEED your attention.
If you are a prospective owner, it is very easy to look at an adult Wolfhound
and think, "I can deal with the size, and the special needs, this is
the dog for me."
No matter the planning involved, the first time you bring a Wolfhound pup
into your home, you will be suprised at the involvement that this breed
requires. Put in the work at a young age and then sit back and enjoy the
rewards of a Wolfhound becoming your loyal friend. A well-raised Wolfhound
will bring you many more smiles than you thought you could have. Just remember
to be patient with them in the beginning, and they will quickly prove why
they have been loved by humans for so many years. They make wonderful and
pleasing housepets.
Always remember not to fault them for things they cannot help. Their size
for instance. They want to be by your side, so they may be in your way when
you need to get that important phone call. These little deviations in your
daily routine are well worth the ownership of an Irish Wolfhound.
In time you may feel that it would be nice if you had another Wolfhound
to keep you and your first hound company. You will be correct in this assumption
and raising the second will be an easier task and more fufilling because
now you have a chase partner for your other hound. This takes some of the
exercising pressure off of you. Watching them play you will quickly realize
it might be nice to have three Wolfhounds around the house.
cmfd@msn.com of Austin, TX writes:
Irish Wolfhounds are the BEST!
There is nothing like an Irish Wolfhound. Those long legs, small ears
and wonderful expressions. Their life is lived for their owner(s). My IWs
love my daughter. It has to be the best breed on the planet. Of all the
breeds of dogs we've owned none compare to the Irish Wolfhound.
rbauer1@neo.rr.com of Ohio writes:
The most loving creature God put on the earth.
We have been blessed with two of these great creatures. Our first lived
well into his thirteenth year and passed away gently in his sleep. We received
him as a secondhand dog at fourteen months of age. He was my constant companion.
Our second Wolfhound was my sweet favorite. I lost my heart the day we first
saw him at the breeder's home. Six months after we brought him home he was
at a special clinic for abnormal bone growth on his left front elbow. He
sailed through the long operation p; no bone cancer, thank goodness
p; and enjoyed the extra attention he received with the orange cast
he had to wear for eight weeks. Alas, at five years old he had a bout with
bloat in the middle of the night p; a two-hour drive and emergency surgery
saved him again! On March 7, 2001 he went to his favorite doc's office for
excessive thirst. The results of testing were not good but we had gone through
so much together I was sure we would win now too. He had lymphomic cancer.
We drove to Columbus three times a week for chemo and he did well. He knew
I loved him and tried to get better. On June 21st I finally made the decision
I had dreaded for so long. Along with my trusted companion I made the last
drive to our doctor. I came home alone. Even now, more than a year later
I can't speak or even think of him without tears. These animals are a gift
from God. In my travels throughout this last year I have searched for another
of these giants but have not found another. My first Wolfie was never ill.
My second one was never really healthy despite my efforts. I blame the breeder,
so research that breeder. And then research the breeder more. If size seems
to be important then find another source. The larger the animal the more
problems there seems to be. I will share my life with another Wolfhound,
but I must wait for the pain to diminish some first. You never will own
any other breed that can compare to the faithfulness of a Wolfie.
warehart@columbus.rr.com of Dublin, OH writes 11/1/00:
Tears your heart apart.
I hate the fact that bone cancer is a common disease .You can end up with
amplitation of a limb , 5 kemo treatments, and still end up losing a big
part of you family its like a long drawen out death that just tears you
heart apart to watch!
Wildroseiw@aol.com of Austin, TX writes on 10/10/99:
One of the world's best family dogs
A well bred Irish Wolfhound is calm, dependable and loyal. They adore children
and MUST be part of the family. IWs are NOT suited to a life outside without
a lot of human contact - it will break the dog's heart. A poorly bred IW
could be a disaster with severe health and temperamnet problems. The Irish
Wolfhound is a huge dog with a heart to match but they are not for the person
who does not have equal heart to invest. They are not suitable as guards
in any situation. As a member of the sighthound family, they will chase
anything that runs - a sturdy fence is a MUST.