The Irish Wolfhound is an imposingly large member of the Hound Group. In fact, it is the tallest sighthound in existence. They have a combination of great speed, size, and power which helps them hunt and take down large prey. But don’t let their instinctive hunting abilities fool you — the Irish Wolfhound also makes a loving house pet. It is calm, easy-going, and affectionate towards its family members. They are wonderful around children and friendly towards strangers.
A Brief History Of
The Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound
has it roots in Ireland, dating back to the Ancient times. It is said
that the large dogs came from Greece and into Ireland sometime around
1500 B.C. The size of the dog kept getting larger as the centuries
went on.
Irish Wolfhounds
were first documented around 391 A.D. in Rome as they were given to
the Romans as gifts. The popularity of the Irish Wolfhound rose
quickly when being put into the fighting ring, taking down large wild
animals during sporting events in the arena. In fact, the dog became
the subject of many legendary stories of valor and bravery during
battle.
Over many centuries
later the Irish Wolfhound diminished in numbers. The wolf was extinct
in Ireland during the 18th century which caused less service to be
needed by these imposing canines. Many of them were also given away
to foreign nobility. When the 19th century came about, the breed was
practically extinct.
Captain G.A. Graham
was responsible for starting the process of resurrecting the Irish
Wolfhound. In 1869, Mr. Graham went about crossing several Wolfhounds
with other breeds, specifically the Scottish Wolfhound, Borzoi, and
the Great Dane. The breeding practice was successful and today many
families enjoy the Irish Wolfhound as a part of the household.
Upkeep Requirements
For The Irish Wolfhound
This breed needs
daily exercise but despite its large physical body, Irish Wolfhounds
only need a few long walks on the leash each day to satisfy its
activity requirements. They must have plenty of living space to be
happy and stretch out, both indoors and outdoors. Living in a small
apartment, or even a cramped house, is not suitable for these dogs.
Irish Wolfhounds
have a high tolerance for cold temperatures. The ideal living
situation for these dogs is to have access to a large yard during the
day and sleep inside at night with the rest of the family. Grooming
requirements call for a heavy brushing two to three times per week,
with light trimming once per month to clean up uneven hairs.
Health Concerns
The average
lifespan of the Irish Wolfhound is between five and seven years.
Major health concerns that run common in the breed are elbow
dysplasia and gastric torsion. Minor health problems include CHD,
OCD, osteosarcoma, and cardiomyopathy. Rarely seen is PRA, vWD, and
megaesophagus. Veterinarians suggest that these dogs get specifically
tested for cardiac and hip problems.
History
The Irish
Wolfhound’s history is clouded in the past and in myth. Some think
that this breed was transferred from the continent of Europe to
Ireland by the Celts, and that they developed the breed. Experts say
this was done as early as 2500 B.C. or as late as1500 B.C.
These were war dogs
that ripped horsemen from their horses. The Irish Wolfhound also
hunted Irish stags, deer, boar, and wolves. Irish stags were six feet
high. They are extinct. The Irish Kings and the nobility could own
these dogs. No one else was allowed to have them. There were numerous
kings in archaic Ireland (150). They had kings and underling kings
that were subject to the top five kings. These kings were allowed a
certain number of these dogs according to their status.
Irish Sagas from
600 to 900 A.D mention cú faoil, which means Irish hound and war
dog. Later, this breed was sent as gifts to European nobility causing
the number in Ireland to decrease too much, and in 1652, a decree was
made that stopped shipping them from Ireland. When the potato famine
hit Ireland in 1845 and ’46, the Irish Wolfhound deceased in
number.
Then Captain George
Augustus Graham found dogs that exemplified the breed and bred them
with
Glengarry Deerhounds and sometimes to Borzoi and Great Danes.
He only bred dogs that were used to breed this type of dog
originally. So, he brought the Irish Wolfhound back in larger
numbers.
General Looks
These are huge dogs
that conjure the picture of a heavily muscled Greyhound. Some of them
are as tall as a small pony. They have big heads and little ears,
which lie near the head, unless it is excited. The neck is muscled
and the chest deep. The abdomen recedes; it is the chest and abdomen
combination that forms the distinct appearance. The paws are big and
round. The rounded tail is held between the hind legs.
Is This Your Breed?
To own this dog,
one needs a big yard, big vehicle, and some extensive exercise for
the hound. The coat needs frequent brushing.
Coat
The coat is coarse,
tufted, and wiry. It is bush-like over the eyes and under the jaw.
Color
The colors are
fawn, red, brindle, black, pure white, and gray.
Locomotion
The gait is easy
and powerful.
Personality
They are laid back
dogs, but when instinct kicks in they will chase prey. They course
other dogs, meaning chasing by sight, when playing with them.
Coursing is a hunting behavior and not related to being territorial.
They are quiet dogs. Some Irish Wolfhounds are friendly to strangers.
So, they aren’t necessarily good watch dogs, but their size could
repel intruders. They like the companionship of their owners very
much.
Usually, this breed
is careful and benign around kids. They are intelligent and react
well to firm, patient, considerate, and consistent training. They are
independent, which comes from having been hunters that hunted at long
distances, away from their owners.
These dogs are
affable, patience, generous, thoughtful, and loyal.