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Let's talk Irish Wolfhounds

With their coarse, wiry coats often in grey or brindle, Irish Wolfhounds were originally bred to hunt large prey, but have long ago left behind those wild origins. Unkempt of hair and amiable of temperament, modern-day Irish Wolfhounds make charming, affectionate companions. They’re huge of course, and with impressive muscles, speed and strength, they need space and exercise to stay healthy. But they’re also docile, affectionate and fun.

Official name: Irish Wolfhound

Origins: Ireland

Side view of Irish Wolfhound in black and white
  • Drooling tendencies

    1 out of 5
  • Shedding Level

    3 out of 5
  • Physical activity needs

    3 out of 5
  • Compatibility with other pets

    5 out of 5
  • Warm weather?

    1 out of 5
  • Suited to apartment living

    1 out of 5
  • Kid-friendly

    5 out of 5
  • Can stay alone

    2 out of 5
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations. Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication. For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs. Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child. All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Illustration of Irish Wolfhound
MaleFemale
HeightHeight
79 - 86 cm71 - 86 cm
WeightWeight
- 54.5 kg - 40.5 kg
Life stages
Adult
8 months to 2 years
MatureSenior
2 to 5 yearsFrom 5 years
Baby
Birth to 2 months
  • Drooling tendencies

    1 out of 5
  • Shedding Level

    3 out of 5
  • Physical activity needs

    3 out of 5
  • Compatibility with other pets

    5 out of 5
  • Warm weather?

    1 out of 5
  • Suited to apartment living

    1 out of 5
  • Kid-friendly

    5 out of 5
  • Can stay alone

    2 out of 5
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations. Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication. For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs. Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child. All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Illustration of Irish Wolfhound
MaleFemale
HeightHeight
79 - 86 cm71 - 86 cm
WeightWeight
- 54.5 kg - 40.5 kg
Life stages
Adult
8 months to 2 years
MatureSenior
2 to 5 yearsFrom 5 years
Baby
Birth to 2 months
Irish Wolfhound walking across grass
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Get to know the Irish Wolfhound

All you need to know about the breed

It’s appropriate that a breed whose exact origins are lost in the (Irish) mists of time, should look like something out of an ancient legend. With their wiry, coarse coats and slightly whimsical expressions, it’s easy to imagine Irish Wolfhounds of yore bounding across ancient moors or curled up in front of the crackling hearth of a great hall.  

But in the real world, modern-day Irish Wolfhounds make a lovely addition to any household with the space to cope with this supersize but sweet-natured dog. These sighthounds (dogs originally bred to hunt prey principally using sight and speed, rather than scent) need space to spread out those long, greyhound-like muscular legs. 

While they are not always on high-energy mode – they can be quite content just lolling around close to their people when they’re at home – Irish Wolfhounds do need regular exercise to keep those muscles in good condition. They also benefit from an enclosed garden (the fence needs to be high!) to run around in, free from smaller creatures that might otherwise bear the brunt of that ancient chasing instinct. That said, once trained, they’re usually fine with other animals within their household.

Irish Wolfhounds get on brilliantly with children, under supervision of course, and make a great addition to the family—although you may need a bigger car.

Irish Wolfhound standing in grass with puppy
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2 facts about Irish Wolfhounds

1. White House Wolfhounds

Herbert Hoover was the first U.S. president to keep an Irish Wolfhound at the White House—his was called Patrick. John F. Kennedy, perhaps in a nod to his Irish heritage, also had an Irish Wolfhound, just one of a whole pack of presidential dogs. He went by the name of Wolf.

2. (Irish Wolf)hound of the Baskervilles?

Some people have suggested that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s hound in the Sherlock Holmes mystery The Hound of the Baskervilles – “a great black beast shaped like a hound yet larger than any hound that ever mortal eye has rested upon” – was supposed to be an Irish Wolfhound. Although the description fits in terms of size and shape, these sweet, affectionate and sociable dogs have nothing else in common with the terrifying hell-hound of Conan Doyle’s imagination.

Close-up of Irish Wolfhound in black and white
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History of the breed

Irish Wolfhounds have inspired their fair share of legends. The most famous (almost certainly made up) is the subject of a poem by W.R. Spencer, which tells the story of Gelert the faithful hound “a lamb at home, a lion in the chase” whose master bitterly regretted mistakenly killing his faithful dog, who had protected his baby from a wolf.

Although information about the true origins of the Irish Wolfhound is hard to come by, the breed probably began with crosses between the coursing hounds of the Middle East that were traded around the world and large native dogs. References to Irish Wolfhound-like dogs were made in Roman records and by the Middle Ages they were well established as hunters of large prey: Deer and especially wolves, hence the name.

They were a bit too good at their job and, as wolves began to die out in Ireland, the Irish Wolfhound itself faced extinction. A British Army Captain, George Augustus Graham, saved the breed in the 19th century, gathering together all the remaining dogs he could find and making it his mission to standardise and promote the Irish Wolfhound breed.

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From head to tail

Physical characteristics of Irish Wolfhounds

Illustration of Irish Wolfhound
1
2
3
4
5

1.Ears

Small ears and a slightly furrowed brow.

2.Head

Hair especially wiry around eyes and beard.

3.Body

Tall, muscular and long-limbed with upright stance.

4.Coat

Rough coat in grey, brindle, red, black, white, wheaten.

5.Tail

Long, curved tail.
Grey Irish Wolfhound standing in grass
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Things to look out for

From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Irish Wolfhound

Healthy heart

Irish Wolfhounds are prone to osteoarticular problems, including growth deformities such as hypertrophic osteodystrophy, an inflammatory disease of the bones that can affect rapidly growing giant breeds . Later in life they can also suffer from osteoarthritis. The breed can also be prone to heart problems. Regular check-ups with the vet are important to make sure your Irish Wolfhound is treated early if there are any problems.

Bloat alert

Like other large breeds, Irish Wolfhounds can suffer from gastric dilatation-volvulus, more commonly known as bloat, a serious, even life-threatening condition thought to be brought on by eating or drinking large quantities quickly and then exercising. Symptoms can include a bloated abdomen, restlessness, retching, drooling and whining or sudden stillness—and immediate help from a veterinarian is needed.

Healthy diet, healthier dog

When choosing food for an Irish Wolfhound, there are many factors to consider: Their age, lifestyle, activity level, physical condition, and health including potential sickness or sensitivities. Food provides energy to cover a dog’s vital functions, and a complete nutritional formula should contain an adjusted balance of nutrients to avoid any deficiency or excess in their diet, both of which could have adverse effects on the dog. As giant-sized breed dogs have a higher risk of a condition called gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), where the stomach becomes overstretched and rotated because of excess gas (usually caused by overfeeding during a meal), it’s recommended to split the daily allowance into three meals for puppies and try to keep this routine into their adult years.

Clean and fresh water should be available at all times to support good urinary regularity. In hot weather and especially when out exercising, bring water along for your dog’s frequent water breaks. Energy intake may also have to be adapted to the climatic conditions. A dog that lives outdoors in winter will have increased energy requirements.

The following recommendations are for healthy animals. If your dog has health problems, please consult your veterinarian who will prescribe an exclusively veterinary diet.

An Irish Wolfhound puppy’s requirements, in terms of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins, are greater than those of an adult dog. They need energy and nutrients to maintain their body, but also to grow and build it. During their growth, an Irish Wolfhound puppy’s immune system develops gradually. A complex of antioxidants – including vitamin E – can help support their natural defences during this time of big changes, discoveries, and new encounters. Their digestive functions are different from an adult Irish Wolfhound’s, too: Their digestive system is not mature yet so it is important to provide highly-digestible proteins that will be effectively used for the building of bones, tissues, and organs. Prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides, can support digestive health by helping balance the intestinal flora, resulting in good stool.

Giant-sized puppies, whose growth period is long and intense, are especially susceptible to skeletal and joint problems, including limb defects, bone deformities, and joint lesions.

The first part of growth (up to 8 months) is mainly concerned with bone development, although the muscles also start to grow. This means that a puppy that eats too much (takes in too much energy) will put on too much weight and grow too quickly. A food with an adjusted calorie content to support a high growth rate while at the same time avoiding excess weight gain will help minimise these risks. A balance of energy and minerals (calcium and phosphorous) during this first phase of growth will contribute to bone mineralisation in order to support bone consolidation and the development of healthy joints. Although the calcium content in the food needs to be increased, giant-sized breed puppies are more sensitive to excessive calcium intake. It’s important to understand that adding any ingredients to a complete food formulated for the growth phase is at best unnecessary and at worst dangerous for the animal, unless prescribed by a veterinarian.

As with many giant-sized breed dogs, Irish Wolfhounds are prone to digestive sensitivity, and their body weight can create stress on their joints throughout their lifetime. Irish Wolfhounds’ nutritional needs then should include high-quality protein and a balanced supply of dietary fibre to help promote optimal digestibility, as well as glucosamine, chondroitine, and antioxidants to help support the health of their bones and joints. A formula enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, will help maintain healthy skin. An adapted taurine content is also important to support healthy heart function.

It is important to avoid feeding Irish Wolfhounds human foods or fatty snacks. Instead, reward them with kibble taken from their daily meal allowance, and strictly follow the feeding guidelines written on the package.

Irish Wolfhound running across grass
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Caring for your Irish Wolfhound

Grooming, training and exercise tips

Irish Wolfhounds have a double coat that consists of a harsh, wiry outer layer covering a soft undercoat. They need to be brushed once a week or so to stay clean and keep their coat in good condition. Even though Irish Wolfhounds are not the most energetic breed, and can be content just lounging around when they’re at home, regular exercise is important: Those extraordinary muscles need to be used if they’re to stay in good condition. Long walks on a lead combined with opportunities to play in a safe, enclosed space are ideal.

These big dogs stay puppy-like for an extended period, not maturing until around 18 months. That leaves plenty of time for puppyish mischief. But the good news is that Irish Wolfhounds are intelligent, and with patient, positive and consistent training, starting early on, as well as socialisation (puppy classes can help) you should see progress.

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All about Irish Wolfhounds

  1. Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/;
  2. Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
  3. Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
  4. Royal Canin BHN Product Book
  5. American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/

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