Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a breed that draws attention because of its gentle disposition in addition to its remarkable stature. These dogs are renowned for being among the tallest dog breeds; their shoulders can reach up to 32 inches, giving them a powerful presence. They are known to be amiable and loving companions despite their size, frequently surprising people with their composed manner.

These dogs have a long history dating back thousands of years, having been originally bred in Ireland for the purpose of hunting wolves. They were great hunters because of their strength and agility, but these days you’re more likely to find them relaxing on the couch than hunting. They get along well with kids and other pets and have a laid-back personality that makes them ideal for family life.

An Irish Wolfhound needs a lot of care, particularly in terms of exercise and grooming. Even though they love to play in the yard, they don’t have a lot of energy, so a few walks each day should be plenty. Despite having a coat that requires little upkeep, they do shed, so it’s a good idea to brush them frequently to keep things neat.

Be ready for the special needs and habits of an Irish Wolfhound if you’re thinking about bringing one into your home. Despite their enormous stature, their hearts are much larger. These dogs adore spending time with their families and are social creatures. They can develop into treasured family members rather than just pets with the correct upbringing and care.

Feature	Description
Size	One of the tallest dog breeds, typically 30-34 inches at the shoulder.
Weight	Generally weighs between 90-150 pounds.
Temperament	Gentle, friendly, and good-natured with families.
Exercise Needs	Requires regular walks and space to roam.
Coat	Rough and wiry, comes in various colors including gray and brindle.
Lifespan	Averages 6-8 years, shorter than many breeds due to size.
Grooming	Regular brushing needed to manage shedding.

Brief information about the Irish Wolfhound breed

Large dogs like the Irish Wolfhound exist. It’s hardly appealing at all. The stiff tufts of wool that "decorate" the animal’s body give it a disheveled appearance. However, there are additional reasons why people choose to keep an Irish Great Dane as a pet.

This article will teach you everything there is to know about the Irish Wolfhound breed. To give you a full picture of this handsome guy, we have compiled all of his information.

Country🇮🇪

As the breed name implies, Irish wolfhounds were developed in Ireland. Although they used to eradicate wolves, they are now used as companion dogs for families.

Group

The Irish wolfhound belongs to the FCI’s tenth group. This belongs in the wire-haired sighthound section and is a representative of the sighthound breeds.

Wool

Clumps of hard, uneven length. The breeder will need to provide the dog with care. Extra attention is needed for the coat.

Colors

Irish wolfhounds and deerhounds have the exact same coloration. There are lots of choices. The canine could be

• red;
• white;
• fawn;
• fawn-brown;
• brindle.

The Irish wolfhound in black appears impressive.

Sizes

An Irish wolfhound may not be any shorter than 79 cm at the withers. The upper limit, which is between 80 and 85 cm, is not mentioned in the standards. There are lower height requirements for girls. They have to reach a height of 71 centimeters. A shorter stature is regarded as a breed abnormality.

Weight

Let’s find out the weight of an Irish wolfhound. Although a dog of remarkable stature appears slender, all greyhound breeds share these traits. Animals that are overweight are unable to gain speed.

An Irish wolfhound typically weighs 54 kg. Though girls can weigh up to 10 kg less, you shouldn’t base your decisions solely on the norms. Each animal’s weight is determined separately, accounting for its height, gender, age, and degree of activity.

Temperament

There is no evidence of aggression in the Irish wolfhound dog breed. This is a calm, amiable dog that enjoys exercise but acts sensibly and is not a threat.

Irish wolfhound dogs should be housed in rooms that are roomy. If you allow your pet to live on a private home’s property, that is fantastic. There are issues with grooming. This breed needs to be handled carefully.

Fertility

An average dog gives birth to five or six puppies. The newborns are tiny and defenseless. They only weigh about 400 grams. However, they expand swiftly. At 6 to 8 weeks old, the babies are placed in a new home.

Life expectancy

Now let’s discuss the lifespan of an Irish wolfhound. Everything in this situation is dependent on maintenance and conditions. All large dogs do not, however, belong to the breed of long-lived dogs. Irish wolfhounds typically live between six and ten years. A few delegates have a lifespan of eleven years.

Puppies take a while to mature sexually, reaching sexual maturity by the end of their second year of life. Sadly, this breed only has a brief lifespan.

Use

The breed was originally meant to be used to eradicate wolves. These days, wolfhounds are hardly ever utilized for these kinds of tasks. They are brought inside the home as companion animals.

Cost

Let’s see what the price of an Irish wolfhound is. This breed is not common. Finding a kennel in Russia or traveling overseas will require a lot of work. An Irish wolfhound can cost more than 100,000 rubles, not including transportation costs. An Irish wolfhound can be purchased in our nation for seventy thousand rubles. However, purebred dogs are much more expensive and scarcer.

Irish wolfhound: photo

The best images of the Irish wolfhound have been gathered by us. These dogs have a striking appearance. They might appear intimidating and dangerous at first. Actually, Irish wolfhounds of today have delicate, sensitive dispositions. They still have a great deal of love and devotion for humans, but they have already lost their hunting instincts.

Irish wolfhound: history of the breed

When discussing the history of the Irish wolfhound, it is impossible to ignore the dog’s illustrious past. According to research, the animal is descended from Egyptian greyhounds. They came to Ireland from prehistoric Celtic tribes. The incident happened two millennia ago.

External changes have been made to the Irish wolfhound breed since then. Let’s start by assuming that there were originally two types of people: those with wire hair and those with smooth hair. However, the latter representatives eventually vanished. They were unable to adjust to the island’s climate.

Dogs were used by the Celts and later by the Irish natives to guard their herds. All the wolves in the area were wiped out by powerful, tall dogs. Gray predators are currently extinct in this nation. That’s the meaning behind the breed’s name.

It is known that the Irish demonstrated their strength in the Roman circus arena at the end of the third century. Members of the breed fought valiantly against lions and emerged on top. Irish wolfhounds enjoyed great popularity around the world during the Middle Ages. Puppies were given as gifts to esteemed guests and were compensated for their services. As a result, the breed has expanded throughout Asia and Europe.

However, Cromwell issued an order banning the export of breed representatives in the middle of the 17th century. Dogs started to inhabit a small area. Regrettably, the quantity of people was negatively impacted by this fact. The Irish wolfhound was in danger of going extinct.

Two centuries later, there was once more interest in the breed. Captain Graham started a club for his breed. He worked very hard to bring the breed back to life. The captain, incidentally, frequently mixed Deerhounds and Great Danes with his pets. As a result, the breed started going by different names.

Only in the 1980s of the previous century did the first representatives of our nation emerge. Furthermore, exhibition participation by Russian Irish wolfhounds didn’t start until the late 20th century. These days, one could count the number of people who own these people on one hand. In our nation, this breed is uncommon. Few kennels exist.

It should be mentioned that contemporary breeders hardly ever utilize Irish wolfhounds for hunting. He becomes a devoted comrade, friend, and companion to the family.

Which particular facets of Irish Wolfhound culture most intrigue you? Are you trying to find out about their temperament, care, or past?

Irish Wolfhound: breed description

One of the biggest dogs in the world is the Irish Wolfhound. It can grow to a height of 100 cm. A massive wolfhound appears awkward. It appears messy and has long limbs. Representatives of the breed actually possess grace and strength. They have developed bodies and are quick and nimble.

The following conditions are stipulated in the Irish Wolfhound breed standard:

• Head shape. Elongated, with a flat forehead, narrowed muzzle.
• Bite. A scissor bite is preferred. But a straight bite will also not be considered a defect.
• Eyes. A light iris is a defect. Choose a puppy with the darkest eyes.
• Ears. Small, neat, rose-shaped ears. Locked. Lop-earedness is unacceptable.
• The animal"s body is elongated and lengthened. Chest developed, belly sunken. The dog seems thin, fit.
• The limbs are long and developed. The wolfhound is capable of developing speed if necessary.

• The tail is long, curved, quite thick. It is not docked.
• Wool. Hard, thick. A mustache and beard form on the muzzle. In this area, the wool is wiry. The animal needs trimming. The breed is characterized by a low degree of shedding.
• Colors of all variants. The dog can be wheaten, white, fawn, brown. All colors that correspond to the deerhound breed are considered normal.
• The neck is strong, elongated, without a droop.

Judges evaluate breed representatives in a strict manner. Even the smallest imperfection in appearance can lead to disqualification. Selecting a puppy in a specialized nursery while accompanied by a knowledgeable dog handler is advised.

The Irish wolfhound and the deerhound are extremely similar. Deerhounds were employed to boost the population of Irish wolfhounds even in antiquity. As a result, these dogs’ appearances share a lot of characteristics. Almost no differences exist. Dogs frequently have the same height as well. However, these are distinct breeds. One can identify adults by their silhouette. The deerhound is a more elegant and graceful breed.

The Irish Wolfhound is a magnificent breed that wins people over with its kind disposition and striking good looks. These dogs, who are well-known for their devotion and loving personalities, are wonderful companions for both individuals and families. They can make excellent pets in a variety of living situations because, despite their size, they are frequently surprisingly calm and relaxed.

The height of the Irish Wolfhound is one of its most remarkable characteristics. Despite being one of the tallest dog breeds, they have a very friendly and laid-back temperament. These dogs are adored by everyone they meet because of their gentle giant nature. Because of their amiable nature, they get along well with kids and other pets and contribute to a peaceful home.

The Irish Wolfhound needs proper care and attention, just like any other breed. They need a little less exercise than you might think to stay healthy and happy, but regular exercise is still necessary. Usually, a little playtime and a daily stroll will do. Their comparatively low grooming requirements are an added benefit for time-pressed owners.

If you’re thinking about bringing an Irish Wolfhound into your house, get ready to welcome a devoted companion who will fit right in. These dogs possess an exceptional ability to infuse happiness into daily existence with their distinct combination of grace and tenderness. Being the owner of one can be a fulfilling and loving experience.

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