The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest among dogs. Like all sighthounds, this breed needs to be given frequent opportunities to run. Because of his great size, he needs a lot of room to really be able to get up to full speed! Since he has a very high prey drive, whenever he is off-leash he needs to be inside a safely fenced area. No invisible fences for this breed either – he will just run straight through it before he even knows what he’s done.
Despite his formidable size and slightly intimidating name (yes, he was bred to kill wolves), the Wolfhound is the epitome of a gentle giant. Few breeds are as relaxed and calm in everyday life. It is only when he is chasing prey (or cats, or plastic bags, or…) that his personality really shifts into overdrive. When inside the house, he can often be found lounging around his “people”. He requires owners that understand his sensitive nature and can provide a relatively laid-back living environment. Irish Wolfhounds need to live indoors – the size of the house doesn’t matter – but a big yard or access to a fenced area is a necessity.
Although running free is their favorite activity, Wolfhounds also benefit from long walks. They can become lazy if not taken out, so it is up to their owners to keep them well exercised! The breed is known for adjusting their activity level to that of their owner, so a sedentary owner can make a sedentary dog. Ideally, both human and canine can benefit from a daily walk to keep in shape!
When it comes to watch dog or guard dog abilities, the Wolfhound usually falls short. He will not usually alert to a stranger at the door, nor will he care too much if an intruder breaks in. He is generally trusting of most people. This said, his sheer size might be enough of a deterrent for an intruder who has started to invade. As might be surmised, he is also not a good choice for patrolling a property.
Wolfhounds are good with children of all ages, although it is recommended to supervise adolescent puppies around very young children. Like most puppies, Irish Wolfhounds can be clumsy but exuberant. Unlike most puppies, they can weigh upwards of 50 pounds and unintentionally hurt a toddler while trying to play. Never let any age of child try to “ride” this breed – it may result in a painful back injury.
The breed gets along great with other dogs although his size may make him intimidating for some. He is not an aggressive dog by nature and will rarely start a fight. Although capable of being gentle with cats, some Wolfhounds prove dangerous to them. This is a hunting breed with a high prey drive and will chase most things that move. Genetics combined with how the puppy (and cat) are raised will determine whether or not they can live together.
The height of an Irish Wolfhound starts at 30 inches tall (measured at the withers) for a small female. Males average 34-35 inches tall and can get even taller! It is important to note, however, that height is not everything! Extremely big hounds sometimes end up with health issues and may be more prone to arthritis. It is important to consider all factors when buying a puppy or adult dog – not only expected size.
These wire-coated sighthounds do eat a lot of food – especially while growing. Big dogs are more expensive than their smaller counterparts in many ways! Sadly, big dogs also do not live as long. The average lifespan of the Irish Wolfhound is 6-8 years.
Wolfhounds can be fast learners with obedience training, but their independent nature also means they don’t perform the same way that a Lab or a Golden might. They were bred to work for people but not really with people, unlike the sporting or herding breeds. Furthermore, although they may know a command they might take a bit longer to actually enact that command! Wolfhounds have been known to be destructive (they can chew up whole pieces of furniture if so inclined), although training can help to curb this problem and is highly recommended. Digging and counter-surfing are also popular activities with the breed – and can be helped with obedience training.
Photo By Sylvie Saulue/Design Madeleine