Irish wolfhound

Overall description of the breed

The Irish Wolfhound is the largest and most powerful of all the greyhounds, and it is also the oldest, as it traces its origins back to the ancient large greyhounds of Egypt. It first appeared in ancient Ireland as early as the 3rd century BC, primarily selected and bred by the Celtic people. It was highly valued for its qualities as a hunter and a fighter, with both domains showcasing its robustness and speed.

It is thanks to the Irish Wolfhound that its close cousin, the Scottish Deerhound, came into existence. Their respective reputations crossed borders, and countries such as Germany, England, France, and Sweden also employed them for hunting large game until the early 18th century. Subsequently, the breed experienced a significant decline in popularity, but due to its reputation as a skilled hunter, it was carefully preserved, and the first official breed club opened its doors in 1885.

To address declining birth rates and high levels of inbreeding, it was crossbred with other breeds such as the Tibetan Mastiff, the Great Dane, and the Russian Wolfhound (Borzoi). It was officially recognized in the United Kingdom by the renowned Kennel Club (KC) in 1873 and in the United States by the AKC in 1897. Finally, it was permanently registered by the International Cynological Federation on April 26, 1955.

The Irish Wolfhound is a large dog, in fact, the largest in the world! It is primarily distinguished by its power and strong presence. Once used as a fighting dog, it has inherited unwavering determination and is not afraid of confrontation, making it a formidable hunting dog, especially for large game. Although its height at the withers is impressive, its body is slightly longer than it is tall, classifying it as a rectangular dog.

Its limbs are solidly built, swift, and endowed with explosive energy. Its muscle mass is dry and remarkably developed, with a broad and deep chest and a well-tucked belly. Its morphology should be voluminous, with a thick skeleton. Its hindquarters are broad, well-muscled, with a tail attached high, of adequate length, and abundantly covered in hair.

With a long, powerful neck, the head of the Irish Wolfhound is proportional to the rest of its body, proudly carried, elongated in shape, with a distinct stop and small drooping ears. One of its main characteristics is its medium-length coat, with a thick, rough texture, especially above the eyes and around the jaw. Colors accepted by the breed standard include brindle, gray, black, white, and fawn.

The Irish Wolfhound is a highly affectionate and protective family dog, especially towards children, with whom it forms a close bond. Despite its imposing size, it is gentle and graceful in its movements. It is a pleasant dog to live with; however, it remains somewhat challenging to train, is not very obedient, and is not suitable for novice owners.

The Irish Wolfhound greatly enjoys moments of bonding with the people it loves, as well as outdoor recreational activities. However, games of fetch should be avoided, as they can reinforce its prey drive. Bursting with energy, it requires a firm owner to channel its strength and vitality, as it can become uncontrollable without proper training.

As a skilled hunter, several countries have banned its use due to its endurance and somewhat brutal nature. It demonstrates reliability and determination when tracking prey. The Irish Wolfhound is deeply attached to its family members and can display its deterrence, even ferocity, towards those who physically threaten its owners or itself.

It requires regular presence from its loved ones to thrive fully, as long absences could trigger its destructive side. Its energy expenditure needs are quite high, and long outdoor walks will help tire it out, making it calm indoors.

The Irish Wolfhound is a hardy dog with excellent health, a true lover of open spaces. Its size is not suitable for urban life, but with the love of its family, it can easily adapt anywhere.

As an adult, it typically weighs around 54 kg (120 lb) for males and 40 kg (88 lb) for females, with a large size ranging between 78 cm (31") for males and 71 cm (28") for females.