Mary Allen
The shaggy Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest dog breeds in the world and can reach a shoulder height of over a meter. Despite his impressive size and wild appearance, he is an extremely loving and friendly four-legged friend. Here in the profile, you will learn everything about the history, character, and attitude of the Irish Wolfhound.
History of the Irish Wolfhound
The exact origin of the Irish Wolfhound has not been established. Archaeological finds in the British Isles show that there was already around 7000 BC. there were large greyhound-like dogs. The Celts probably introduced Arabian greyhounds and bred them into powerful hunting dogs. Later, the ancient Romans also mentioned large Irish dogs used in gladiator fights. The large dogs were particularly popular as hunting dogs in Ireland before the invention of firearms. The Irish used the wolfhound to hunt wolves and other large game, which explains its name.
In the Middle Ages, owning such a dog was reserved for the nobility. In fact, in 15th-century England, every county in England was required to keep a number of wolfhounds to protect farmers’ livestock from wolves. After the wolf was completely exterminated in Great Britain and Ireland around 1800, the breed also declined sharply. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that the Scotsman George Graham decided to “revive” the Irish Wolfhound.
Since there were hardly any representatives of the breed at that time, he bred the Borzoi, the Great Dane, and the Deerhound. So today’s Irish Wolfhound is quite a bit larger and less agile than the original dog. Towards the end of the 19th century, the back-bred wolfhound was officially recognized and placed in FCI Group 10.2 Wiry-haired Sighthounds.
Traits and Character Traits
The Irish Wolfhound is an affectionate and even-tempered dog that is easy to train. Despite his size, he is a loyal family dog who is also very friendly when dealing with children. It is not for nothing that lovers also refer to the shaggy dog as the “gentle giant”. Especially when cuddling and cuddling, the big dog can sometimes forget that he is not a small lap dog. He is very affectionate and always wants to be there, which is why keeping him in a kennel is out of the question. The wolfhound does not have a strong protective instinct but deters burglars with its appearance alone. It is somewhat difficult to get the dog’s hunting instinct under control, as it was originally bred as a huntsman on sight. As soon as he sees potential prey, he doesn’t hesitate and starts running. You cannot demand blind obedience from the Irish Wolfhound, as he likes to act independently. Nevertheless, it is important that the giant dogs learn the most important basic commands at a young age.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Right for Me?
Before you get an Irish Wolfhound, you should make sure that the big four-legged friend has enough space. A small city apartment is not a species-appropriate home. A large house with a garden is best. Even if the Irish has a rather quiet nature, they need space and time to run every day. A small park in the city is not enough. The gentle giants are best kept in an active family that can take good care of them. So if you want to buy a puppy, you have a certain responsibility.
Once you’ve decided that the Irish Wolfhound is the right dog for you, all you have to do is find a reputable breeder. For a purebred and healthy puppy, you should budget around 1500€. Unfortunately, representatives of the breed who are too big for their owners end up in animal shelters again and again. These dogs are particularly excited about a new home but often need experienced owners.
How Do I Keep an Irish Wolfhound?
Puppy development and education
With its enormous size, the Irish Wolfhound needs good basic training and should obey in any situation. His strong hunting instinct must be controlled from an early age. So it is particularly important that the big dog comes immediately when you call him. The breed learns best with lots of praise and rewards. In the event of harshness and violence, the sensitive dog quickly turns and reacts anxiously. Since the young dogs initially have a short attention span, you should plan several short training sessions a day. The puppy reacts particularly well to eye contact and needs the full attention of its owner. He should also be used to other dogs early on so that there are no problems dealing with other dogs.
How much exercise does the Irish Wolfhound need?
As a sighthound, the Irish Wolfhound doesn’t need a lot of sustained exercises, but he should be able to sprint at least once a day. He loves to run and romp with other dogs. So daily walks with ball games and short sprints are a real must. The fast runners are also ideal companions on short bike tours. In order for your dog to be able to walk without a leash, however, it needs good training beforehand. The big dogs can also be used for dog sports such as tracking or coursing. Dog sports such as agility are not suitable for the gentle giants because the joints are put under too much strain.