Irish Wolfhound

Lying on a soft sofa and cuddled up close – this is how an Irish Wolfhound feels most comfortable. This gentle giant often forgets that it is one of the largest dogs in the world and is certainly not a small lapdog. Its slightly boisterous nature can sometimes knock over a vase or an unsteady family member. Ultimately, the Irish Wolfhound is a kind-hearted dog that needs little more than being near its family.

Gentle giant with a family sense

This breed is very people-oriented and affectionate. The Wolfhound regularly seeks eye contact with its person and ensures it receives enough attention. A pure outdoor life in a kennel is therefore not suitable for these social dogs. They adore children and enjoy when the whole family is together. The Wolfhound even greets strangers openly and pleasantly, as long as they come with good intentions. Thanks to its sensitive, watchful nature, it quickly recognises if someone means harm to its family and courageously intervenes in such instances. However, it is not suitable as a pure watchdog due to its lack of aggression. Yet, which thief would want to test the patience of this four-legged giant?

Do not underestimate its running and hunting needs

The inner calm exuded by this impressive breed is remarkable. It is undemanding, patient and easily adapts to various everyday situations. However, the innate equilibrium of the Irish Wolfhound should not obscure the fact that this dog was originally a hunter and runner. As such, the sighthound possesses a significant need for running and an appreciable hunting instinct. Activities like “coursing”, greyhound races or special facilities are ideal for satisfying its need for rapid, free sprints. During walks and joint cycling or riding excursions, it is better to keep it on a lead, as its hunting instinct might suddenly take over.

Why consistent training is important

Given its size and hunting instinct, consistent and loving training for the Irish Wolfhound is essential. If your dog learns the most important commands early, you can grant it more freedom later. A Wolfhound that reliably responds to your call can be let off the lead in certain permitted areas, unlike one that occasionally obeys. However, you should not expect blind obedience from this breed. Despite its people-oriented nature, the intelligent and self-confident Irish Wolfhound can be somewhat stubborn. It sometimes takes longer to respond to commands. Anyone who understands a bit about dog training and treats their Wolfhound with the necessary consistency, love and patience will greatly enjoy this peaceful breed.

“Is that a pony?”

Such comments are not rare during walks with an Irish Wolfhound. With an average shoulder height of 81 to 86 cm, this breed easily attracts attention – whether it wants to or not. The otherwise modest Irish Wolfhound is one of the largest dogs in the world. The breed standard specifies its minimum height as 79 cm for males. Females are slightly smaller, with a minimum height of 71 cm. The record stands at a withers height of 106 cm. Correspondingly, these giant four-legged friends naturally carry significant weight. Males weigh at least 54.5 kg, while females weigh a minimum of 40.5 kg.

Rough-coated sighthound with a wide colour spectrum

Despite their impressive size and weight, Irish Wolfhounds never appear cumbersome. As typical sighthounds, they have a slender build with dry muscles and a deep chest. Relative to their size, the so-called rose ears, positioned quite far back on their narrow skulls, are rather small.

The Wolfhound’s fur is rough and hard (wire-like) and comes in the following colours:

• White
• Grey
• Black
• Fawn
• Red
• Brindle

The Irish Kennel Club also accepts any colour variations found in the Deerhound.

© olgagorovenko / stock.adobe.com

The Irish Wolfhound is not just one of the largest breeds in the world but also one of the oldest. Like its close relative, the Greyhound, its origins likely lie in the Arab world. Archaeological finds show that large, sighthound-like dogs existed in ancient Egypt. These dogs accompanied the Celts to Europe and the British Isles in the third century BC. In ancient and medieval Ireland, these large, strong dogs were in high demand for hunting wolves, bears, wild boar and elk. In the Middle Ages, these so-called Wolfhounds (wolf hunters) were widespread among the high nobility, who kept them as status symbols and gifted them to other European royal families.

From status symbol to unemployed wolf hunter

Like many hunting dogs, the Irish Wolfhound suffered from the discovery of firearms. Guns made hunting dogs increasingly redundant, leading to the Wolfhound’s decline. To save the remaining population, an export ban from Ireland was enacted in the mid-17th century. However, the breed continued to decline, with the extinction of the wolf in Great Britain and Ireland around 1800, delivering another blow. By the mid-19th century, the breed was almost extinct. The existence and recognition of the Irish Wolfhound today is thanks to Scotsman George Graham. Graham crossed the few remaining specimens with Deerhounds, Great Danes, Borzois and other breeds. The resulting “new”, slightly larger and more robust Wolfhound was first presented at shows in the late 1870s and soon after recognised by the British Kennel Club.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the first breeding animals reached North America and the European continent. However, the two World Wars saw the population almost entirely lost. The number of new litters only slowly picked up in the mid-20th century, with most recorded on the British Isles and in North America. Although the Irish Wolfhound became more commonly bred in Continental Europe from the 1970s, it remains rare outside the Anglosphere.

Unfortunately, like (almost) all giant breeds, the Irish Wolfhound is heavily predisposed to health issues. Breeding ever larger and faster dogs pushed the breed’s health into the background. The average life expectancy is just six to seven years. A 2005 study found that only 9% of Wolfhounds reach 10 years or older. Most die before the age of 8, with some living as little as 5 years. Fortunately, this relatively short life expectancy has prompted many breeders to rethink. Today, responsible breeders prioritise the breed’s health.

What are the typical breed-related diseases?

Bone and joint problems, like HD (hip dysplasia) and ED (elbow dysplasia), remain among the most common diseases in the Irish Wolfhound. Heart diseases, gastric torsion, epilepsy and bone cancer are also frequently diagnosed in this breed. Of course, not every Irish Wolfhound will develop one of these illnesses, but the risk is higher compared to other, healthier breeds. This makes selecting the right breeder crucial.

What to consider before buying this breed

If you are considering purchasing an Irish Wolfhound, you should not take the topic of “illness” lightly. While it should not deter you, when choosing a breeding facility, place special emphasis on the health of the bloodline. Though a breeder might assure you that their dogs are healthy and the parent dogs seem healthy, do not rely solely on this. Ask to see the pedigree of the puppies and pay attention to the ages of the grandparents, grand-aunts and grand-uncles. Also, personally meet the breeder and ensure they prioritise the health and well-being of their dogs.

It goes without saying that a puppy from a healthy line, having undergone all health checks, comes at a certain price. The current price for a puppy from a reputable breeder starts at £2,000. Beware of supposed “bargains” from the internet or newspapers, as the saved costs often lead to double or triple expenses in vet bills.

How to keep your Irish Wolfhound healthy

The responsibility for the breed’s health does not lie solely with the breeder. As a buyer, you are also responsible for maintaining your dog’s health. It is not just a dog’s genetics that determine whether it becomes ill, but also its diet, care and living conditions. These factors can either increase or decrease the risk of the mentioned diseases.

What differentiates healthy food from that of lower quality? Is dry food better than wet food, is BARFing better than cooking? Opinions on the right way to feed dogs are as varied as the pet food aisles in supermarkets. What matters less is the type of diet, but rather what the dog food contains and what it should not. Like all dogs, Wolfhounds primarily need meat, supplemented with vegetables, rice, potatoes or pasta. However, finished dog food often contains a disproportionately high amount of grain, as well as useless ingredients like sugar, soya or flavour enhancers. Always look for good ingredients in the food, such as plenty of good meat, vegetables and only a small amount of grain – whether you cook yourself or choose ready-made food.

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How much does an Irish Wolfhound eat?

A dog as large as an Irish Wolfhound naturally eats more than a small Dachshund. However, the better quality its food is, the less it needs. In other words: quality over quantity. Good food meets the dog’s nutrient requirements optimally. This depends less on the dog breed than on individual factors like age, weight, size and activity level. A very sporty Wolfhound will need more energy than one that is mainly a family dog with minimal exercise. Likewise, a puppy needs a different food composition than an adult dog. Given that Wolfhounds grow very quickly, their growth should not be accelerated by excessive energy intake. Rapid growth in the first few months can lead to painful joint problems (e.g. HD). An incorrect calcium-phosphorus ratio in the food can also negatively affect the young dog’s bone growth.

Besides the right food composition, you can further support your Wolfhound’s health by avoiding stairs or other sudden movements during the growth phase that could strain the dog, potentially leading to joint and bone issues later. Since Wolfhounds, like many large dogs, are prone to the dangerous gastric torsion, ensure sufficient rest periods after meals. Distributing daily food intake into approximately two to three (smaller) meals is also advisable. Height-adjustable feeding bowls are also beneficial, accommodating the breed’s rapid growth and preventing the dog from bending too low and adopting an unfavourable posture while eating.

The calm temperament of an Irish Wolfhound means it accepts what its owner offers with stoic serenity – be it food, exercise type or living conditions. It often endures illnesses until it is too late. Relying on the dog to indicate when something is wrong can have severe consequences for this breed. Ensure your dog gets the right food, sufficient exercise suited to its hunting and sighthound nature, and closely observe any changes in its behaviour, movements or body (e.g. weight loss or gain). These could be early signs of diseases and should be checked by a vet. Changes in fur texture may also indicate inadequate nutrition or other illnesses. Although the coat care for a rough-coated Wolfhound is very straightforward and occasional brushing is sufficient, always keep a close eye on your dog.

Read our articles on getting your puppy trained: basic information & tips!