Muscular yet elegant , shaggy Irish wolfhounds are one of the largest breeds in the world . Their calm , gentle spirit makes them idealistic family companions — for those who have the space . larn more about living with Irish wolfhounds .
Recognized as one of thelargest breeds of dogsin the world , Irish wolfhound are tranquil , easy beings whomake very right class companions . Once bred to chase after down declamatory elk ( and sometimes wolves ! ) today ’s Irish wolfhound is seldom seen on hunts . Rather , the Irish wolfhounds of today are more than subject matter hanging around place with their humankind .
This strain has a myopic lifespan — on fair 7 year — and is prostrate to various health issues . Though notconsidered hypoallergenic , they do produce less dander than some other large dogs and may be suited for someone with less serious dog allergy . It ’s of import to consider every expression of your spirit before committing to an Irish wolfhound .
Appearance
The ancient Irish wolfhound has an air of dignity and a commanding presence . Though they can be restrain in size , the easy breed has a kind face with a angelic expression . breed to hunt large game in the Irish countryside , the Irish wolfhound is a mesomorphic yet graceful extra - declamatory or jumbo stock . A goodly Irish wolfhound weighs at minimum 105 Lebanese pound ( sometimes up to 180 pounds ! ) and stand at least 2 feet , 6 inches marvellous . That ’s a heap of dog !
To protect against the sometimes - coarse Irish mood , the Irish wolfhound has a duple pelage : A soft undercoat that insulates him in all weather , and a farseeing , harsh and stringy top coat that ’s more big above the eyes and under the jaw ( like brow and a beard ) . The breed comes in many colors and pattern , but those recognized by the American Kennel Club include bleak , blue , brindle , gray , red , silver grey , wheaten , and white . Theircoats shed moderatelythroughout the year , but , unlike most doubled - coated canine , Irish wolfhounds do not haveheavier throw away season .
Temperament
Despite their large presence and hunt history ( see below ) , Irish wolfhounds are one of the most unagitated , serene , and kind breeds in the world . They’re intelligentand odd , at their happiest when walking outdoors beside their owners . Irish wolfhound can be rambunctious in puppyhood — an 18 - month period in which she may grow to 100 pounds!—but most adult arecontent with a daily walkcombined with the opportunity to freely lean , come by quality metre with her proprietor at home .
Irish wolfhounds are blue-blooded , affectionate , and amiable dogsknown to be patient with children , which make them great for menage who have the space — and income — to support a frank of this sizing .
As with any breed , it ’s significant toproperly socialise your Irish wolfhoundfrom a young age . " If croak to a breeder , it ’s crucial to break up your pup cautiously , " say Brian Kilcommons , founder ofThe Great Pets Resort , a grooming quickness in Connecticut . " With a strain of this sizing , you need to see to it you ’re amaze a whole genetic foundation and that you take the time to socialise unseasoned . "
A properly socialised Irish wolfhound cando well with catsand other positron emission tomography , but may prefer to be the only dog . Irish wolfhound are very large animals and , despite best intentions , may circumstantially ping over or frighten away smaller kid . They ’re best in a habitation with former baby , and children shouldneversit on an Irish wolfhound ’s back . It ’s important toteach small fry how to decent interact with dogsandalwayssupervise them when play with any fauna .
Brian Kilcommons, founder of The Great Pets Resort training facility
With a strain of this size , you need to ensure you ’re come a solid genetic foundation and that you take the time to socialise young .
Living Needs
Because of their vast sizing , Irish wolfhounds require specific living arrangements . An ideal home for an Irish wolfhound has a big , fenced - in yardand ample indoor quad for this gentle giant to stretch out . A layout with no stairs would certainly make thing well-to-do should you ever need to transport a nauseated or bruise Irish wolfhound by carry , and a step - free house will also be easier on the hot dog ’s joints .
Loyal and raw , Irish wolfhounds thrive in the company of their humans and , like any breed , they should n’t beleft alone for long periods of time . They should be an active part of their proprietor ’s life . This extra - large strain does n’t require extended exercise , but your dog will know go open air to extend her long leg ( and show off her athletic gallop ) .
Though generally unagitated , Irish wolfhound wo n’t be a good conniption for many and are good withexperienced dog-iron owners . " They ’re cash in one’s chips to have a prettystrong prey drive , " Kilcommons says . " They ’re sighthounds , and as far as work with their instinct , it wee-wee it a pot soft if you understand that anytime something movement , they ’re going to be interested . "
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If you ’re fortunate enough to have the blank , life-style , and noesis to stomach an Irish wolfhound , you ’ll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful , loving , and heartfelt comrade man has ever love . It ’s significant to consider your modus vivendi before committing to any dog . lecture to anIrish wolfhound breederorrescue groupto see if an Irish wolfhound is a good fit for you .
Care
Irish wolfhound have duncical , double coats consisting of a sonant insulating undercoat and a medium - duration harsh and wiry top pelage . This stock sheds reasonably yr - round , but unlike most bivalent - coated dog , she never blows her coat . brush your Irish wolfhoundonce a calendar week will keep her fur free of debris , mats , and open dead hair . This breed ’s conducting wire - textured hair tends to stay put pretty sporting , so they do n’t necessarilyneed full bathsoften — but youwillneed a magnanimous vat they can well get at when bath day does arise . The Irish Wolfhound Club of America hasthorough guidesfor grooming your dog .
Regular brushing is a expert time to check for things such as nail length and ear anddental wellness . Hernails should be trimmedif you could pick up them tapping against the storey . Ear canalsshould be wan pink with very little — and fair odorless — wax . Be certain to calculate for any signal of social movement ( mites ! ) and foreign object in the canal , specially if you and your frankfurter pass a lot of time outdoors or have latterly been in marvellous grasses . Much of this routine concern can happen at home , but always attain out to your veterinary if you have concern , or employ a professional groomer to help .
Irish wolfhounds are level-headed and straightaway assimilator , andpositive - reinforcement trainingis vital to their mental welfare . Though theirexercise needsare relatively humiliated compare to some other breeders , and you certainly wo n’t find them struggle wolves these days , they ’ll benefit greatly from activity that are a nod to their ascendent .
DragoNika / Shutterstock
" the great unwashed tend to plunk domestic dog based on their looks , " Kilcommons say . " Part of being a good owner is read what the breed was create for , what they ’re hardwired for , and playing to those basic instincts . Irish wolfhound are sighthounds , which means they [ were historically used to hunt ] . They ’re not hunting woman chaser these days , but we can influence around that . Lure coursing or straight racing are great activity to get involved in , where you ’re exercising them while at the same time fulfilling a hereditary requirement or require that they were bred for . "
Health
The Irish wolfhound is one of several titan or superfluous - large dog breeds , and with their size come various health issues and a shorter life-time — just 7 years on average . TheIrish Wolfhound Club of America , the prescribed stock club , strongly recommends breeders test forhip dysplasiaand elbow dysplasia as well as complete a thoroughgoing centre evaluation and heart and soul test . The society recommends extra screening of breeding stock for pneumonia , pith disease , various cancers , and liver shunt .
The breed is also prone to bloat , a serious consideration that tends to involve tumid breeds and can lead to dying . It ’s significant toknow the signs of bloatand to essay emergency medical tending if you believe your domestic dog is suffering .
Not all Irish wolfhound will experience serious health government issue , but it ’s important to be aware of these rough-cut concerns when view the breed . It ’s also of import to purchase all frankfurter from reputable breeders who will introduce you to the Canis familiaris ’s parents and siblings . Ifadopting a dog , enquire the rescue for all usable wellness history .
History
A breed with lineage go out to ancientness , there ’s plenty of myth and caption surround the Irish wolfhound ’s history . The first register mention come from ancient Rome in 391 AD , whenRoman Consul Quintus Aurelius was gifted seven Irish wolfhounds . Irish wolfhound were longtime favorites amongst noblesse — including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England and Henry IV of France — and were often present as natural endowment between favorable kingdoms .
In Ireland , the large sighthounds gained fame and popularity among tribal chief and were often employed to hunt large plot . The courageous creatures were successful hunters — so much so that they almost became out in the 1700s after they free the Irish land of boastful - game animals . No longer required for hunting , the Irish wolfhound was seldom breed and was kept most often as a multipurpose farm dog .
Then , in 1862 , aBritish U. S. Army captain named George Augustus Graham come down in love with the gentle giantsand sought to protect , standardise , and reinvigorate the breed . To do this , Graham bred the Irish wolfhound with theGlengarry deerhound , borzoi , Tibetan mastiff , andGreat Dane . Today ’s Irish wolfhounds are a result of this effort .
Though beloved by many , Irish wolfhounds are not a plebeian breed in most house . Because of their size and weightiness , they require very specific living conditions and considerations .
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