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The Irish Wolfhound, or Cú Faoil, is one of the oldest breeds of dog and is thought to have been brought to Ireland in approximately 3500B.C. According to historians, the dog was first presented in Ancient Rome. It is believed that during the early days of the breed, many Romans found the dogs so frightening that the Irish Wolfhounds were kept and transported around the city in cages.

Original Purposes

This seems like a far cry from the breed that we are familiar with today, but Wolfhounds were originally designed as a war dog. However, they went on to be used for other purposes, including guard dogs and fighting for sport. Additionally, it is commonly supposed that Irish Wolfhounds were used in deer coursing, but this is a misconception. In fact, apparently they were no good as coursing dogs. However, their swiftness and alertness made them perfect boar and wolf hunters, which, perhaps unsurprisingly, is how the breed acquired its name.

Temperament of the Modern Irish Wolfhound

Today, far from the fear that struck the hearts of the Ancient Romans, the Irish Wolfhound is believed to be among the most passive and gentle of dogs. It is a wonderful family pet that is good with other animals and children. Additionally, the Irish Wolfhound is known for its loyalty, affection, patience and devotion.

Although at some points in history it has been used as a guard dog, unlike many breeds, the Irish Wolfhound doesn’t make a very good watchdog, because it is often friendly towards strangers. That said, an Irish Wolfhound would protect its home and family in times of real danger.

Size and Appearance

The Irish Wolfhound is one of the largest breeds of dog. In fact, on average they are the tallest breed. A male can grow to between 33 and 36 inches in height. Females, on the other hand, are generally smaller and are 30 to 34 inches in height. In addition, a fully-grown Wolfhound will weigh between 101 and 154lbs.

Irish Wolfhounds grow very rapidly. In fact, a puppy that is 10-weeks-old can gain up to a pound in weight each day. At the age of 8 months, a Wolfhound appears to be fully-grown, which causes some owners and trainers to overstretch the dog’s young joints and limbs with strenuous training. Therefore, owners should bear in mind that although the dog may appear to be fully-grown, the dog should reach 18 months of age before it is ready to undergo adult training.

Training an Irish Wolfhound

Because the Irish Wolfhound can become extremely large, it is important to ensure that he, or she, is obedience trained. Obviously, a dog of large proportions can wreak havoc if not trained properly. That said, it’s not hard to train an Irish Wolfhound, because they are very receptive dogs that are always eager to please their owners. In fact, the Irish Wolfhound is something of a ‘big softie’, subsequently, a calm sense of authority and quiet instruction should be adequate when training your Wolfhound. Shouting should be avoided, as the Irish Wolfhound can be extremely sensitive.

Life Expectancy and Health Problems

Tragically, these peculiar-looking, but lovable dogs typically have a very short life. In fact, the average lifespan is a little under 6 ½ years. Usually, they can be expected to live between 5 and 10 years.

Unfortunately, the short life of an Irish Wolfhound is caused by numerous medical conditions that are inherited. Some of the many health issues that a Wolfhound can suffer from include gastric torsion, intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer.

However, despite its comparatively short life, the Irish Wolfhound can bring a great deal of love and companionship to the lives of its owners.

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Description: The Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest breeds in the world with a height of 28-35 inches and a weight of 90-150 pounds. When stood on their hind legs, they can reach up to 7 feet. They have a long head, but it is not too broad. They have a long muzzle. The ears are back against the head, or part pricked when excited. They have a long neck that is strong and slightly arched. This breed has a wide and deep chest. The Irish Wolfhound has long legs that have round feet with arched toes. The long tail hangs downward and has a slight curve to it. The coat is shaggy and slightly wiry to the touch, making this a hard coat. With longer hair over the eyes and under the jaw colours include red, pure white or fawn, grey, black, brindle with grey being the most common colour.

History: The Irish Wolfhound breed was used, originally, as a wolf hunter, and this is how it gained its name, the wolfhound. The Romans' records show breed as far back as 391AD. This dog is commonly being used in wars and for guarding herds and property. Their main use, however, was for hunting the Irish elk, wolves, boar and deer. This breed was highly sought-after and battles were fought for ownership of these dogs. Over time, the Irish wolfhound has been given as a royal present to important dignitaries. In Ireland, the wolf population became extinct, and as a result, the Irish wolfhound declined in numbers. The British Army officer, whose name is Captain George Graham, bred them in the second half of the 19th century, using the great Dane and deerhound blood lines, to restore the Irish wolfhound. This breed was recognized by the AKC in 1897 and recognized by the kennel club as a sporting breed in 1925.

Temperament: The Irish Wolfhound is known for its sweet temper and is a very intelligent, thoughtful dog. This breed is willing and eager to please with a wholehearted loyalty to their family. They are slow to mature and have a clumsy nature, taking around two years before they are fully grown. This breed needs good, high-quality, food as they grow rapidly. Hard exercise should be avoided in the puppy, although they still need to have good daily walks. Basic training such as lead work needs to be carried out while the puppy is young and not having reached full strength. This dog is easy to train, and responds well to confident, gentle leadership. Giving this dog self-confidence, as a puppy, will help them develop into a well rounded dog emotionally. This breed gets on exceptionally well with other animals and can be trusted with children. Be sure to keep an eye on your dog with young children because this is a big breed, and they are prone to being clumsy. This dog needs to be part of a family and will be unhappy living outdoors. The Irish Wolfhound is part of the sight hounds group, and will enjoy chasing so a secure garden that is well fenced is important.

Health issues: The Irish Wolfhound dog is prone to bone cancer, PRA, cardiomyopathy, Von Willebrand, hip dysplasia and bloat.

Grooming: The Irish Wolfhounds coat will need regular thorough brushing. Once or twice a year the coat will need plucking, to remove the dead hair. The Irish wolfhound is an average shedder.

Living conditions: The Irish Wolfhound dog needs a large garden, and although not active indoors apartment living will not suit this breed. This is a large dog that will need some space, and even things like your car will have to be thought of in regard to its size.

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The Irish Wolfhound is a tall, large dog that needs an average amount of exercise. Never push a young Irish Wolfhound to run or exercise when she does not want to as you may injure rapidly growing joints. She is generally not a good watch dog or guard dog as she is very sweet tempered and loves everyone. Her size and looks should deter any prowler. She tends to get along with considerate children, other dogs and other pets. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with any puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Irish Wolfhound is 28 to 35 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 90 to 150 pounds. The female ranges a bit smaller than the male.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Irish Wolfhound is no exception. Be on the look out for canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), heart problems (cardiomyopathy), bone cancer, bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat, and Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting). This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Irish Wolfhound has a rough, hard and wiry coat. She should be brushed regularly with a brush and a comb. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. She should also have dead hair plucked occasionally, a job possibly better done by a groomer.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Irish Wolfhound can live between 6 and 10 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Irish Wolfhound comes from Ireland where they were used to hunt wolves and help in battles. They were also used for companions and hunting deer. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1897.

Some Registries:

*The Irish Wolfhound Club of America

*UKC United Kennel Club

*NKC National Kennel Club

*CKC Continental Kennel Club

*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

*AKC American Kennel Club

*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club

*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain

*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club

*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 3 to 4 Irish Wolfhound puppies

Category: Hound

Terms To Describe: Power, swift, muscular, graceful, active, dignified, willing, sweet, patient, large, tall, intelligent,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

They look scary enough to deter intruders.

Very calm, nice dog.

Takes training well.

Rarely barks.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Poor watch dog.

Poor guard dog.

Sensitive to moods.

Knows if you are laughing at her.

*Other Names Known By: Irish Hound, Irish Wolfdog, Cu Faoil, Milcu

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

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The Irish Wolfhound became so popular as a gift a couple of centuries ago that exportation from Britain was banned for several decades. They are a very large dog, sometimes weighing in at 150 pounds. The Irish Wolfhound has a shaggy coat and a muscular body, but these dogs require careful care and attention.

The popularity of the Irish Wolfhound was probably due to the fact that it was favored among the nobility and wealthy families. There's no doubt that the large, shaggy appearance of these giants is what attracted the attention of so many people.

The breed originated as a hunting dog, mainly for big game. Elk, wolves and hogs were among the animals the Irish Wolfhound were trained to track - hence the selective breeding to gain the large size. This is the tallest breed of dog in existence.

The popularity of the breed and the constant exportation combined with the fact that the fox hunts in England killed out the entire fox population led to the near-demise of the Irish Wolfhound. In fact, it's noted that there were probably no full-blood Irish Wolfhounds left in Ireland at some point during the 17th Century. When the breed was returned to its native country, new bloodlines were introduced - including that of the Great Dane - in an effort to revitalize the breed.

As a rule, the Irish Wolfhound tends toward light colors - gray or white. Some have darker markings, including black or red overcoats. White, gray, red, brindle and black are all recognized by the AKC standard.

The sheer size of these dogs makes them a good choice for a guard dog, but it's important to note that guarding doesn't come naturally to this breed. They do tend to be loyal to a fault and will usually prefer to spend time with their family above and beyond all other activities. They do like to play, but their size makes them clumsy - not typically a good choice for an indoor pet, especially if there's limited space.

The Irish Wolfhound is usually very easy to train. Most who own, breed or train these dogs seem to think that these canines are very anxious to please and will try to anticipate what is wanted. Their willingness to learn makes them a good choice for learning tricks, though what they can do will be somewhat limited by their size. Remember that early training is a must, because a grown Irish Wolfhound will likely be too big to be controlled by a normal-sized person.

One of the negative points of the Irish Wolfhound is this dog's tendency toward a short life. They typically live only about seven or eight years, mostly due to their large size. Their size also makes them susceptible to hip problems. Young Irish Wolfhounds, unlike most puppies, need limited exercise. Long walks are not a good idea until the muscle mass catches up to the rapidly growing frame of the Irish Wolfhound pup.

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Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is an imposingly large member of the Hound Group. In fact, it is the tallest sighthound in existence. They have a combination of great speed, size, and power which helps them hunt and take down large prey. But don't let their instinctive hunting abilities fool you - the Irish Wolfhound also makes a loving house pet. It is calm, easy-going, and affectionate towards its family members. They are wonderful around children and friendly towards strangers.

A Brief History Of The Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound has it roots in Ireland, dating back to the Ancient times. It is said that the large dogs came from Greece and into Ireland sometime around 1500 B.C. The size of the dog kept getting larger as the centuries went on.

Irish Wolfhounds were first documented around 391 A.D. in Rome as they were given to the Romans as gifts. The popularity of the Irish Wolfhound rose quickly when being put into the fighting ring, taking down large wild animals during sporting events in the arena. In fact, the dog became the subject of many legendary stories of valor and bravery during battle.

Over many centuries later the Irish Wolfhound diminished in numbers. The wolf was extinct in Ireland during the 18th century which caused less service to be needed by these imposing canines. Many of them were also given away to foreign nobility. When the 19th century came about, the breed was practically extinct.

Captain G.A. Graham was responsible for starting the process of resurrecting the Irish Wolfhound. In 1869, Mr. Graham went about crossing several Wolfhounds with other breeds, specifically the Scottish Wolfhound, Borzoi, and the Great Dane. The breeding practice was successful and today many families enjoy the Irish Wolfhound as a part of the household.

Upkeep Requirements For The Irish Wolfhound

This breed needs daily exercise but despite its large physical body, Irish Wolfhounds only need a few long walks on the leash each day to satisfy its activity requirements. They must have plenty of living space to be happy and stretch out, both indoors and outdoors. Living in a small apartment, or even a cramped house, is not suitable for these dogs.

Irish Wolfhounds have a high tolerance for cold temperatures. The ideal living situation for these dogs is to have access to a large yard during the day and sleep inside at night with the rest of the family. Grooming requirements call for a heavy brushing two to three times per week, with light trimming once per month to clean up uneven hairs.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Irish Wolfhound is between five and seven years. Major health concerns that run common in the breed are elbow dysplasia and gastric torsion. Minor health problems include CHD, OCD, osteosarcoma, and cardiomyopathy. Rarely seen is PRA, vWD, and megaesophagus. Veterinarians suggest that these dogs get specifically tested for cardiac and hip problems.

History

The Irish Wolfhound's history is clouded in the past and in myth. Some think that this breed was transferred from the continent of Europe to Ireland by the Celts, and that they developed the breed. Experts say this was done as early as 2500 B.C. or as late as1500 B.C.

These were war dogs that ripped horsemen from their horses. The Irish Wolfhound also hunted Irish stags, deer, boar, and wolves. Irish stags were six feet high. They are extinct. The Irish Kings and the nobility could own these dogs. No one else was allowed to have them. There were numerous kings in archaic Ireland (150). They had kings and underling kings that were subject to the top five kings. These kings were allowed a certain number of these dogs according to their status.

Irish Sagas from 600 to 900 A.D mention cú faoil, which means Irish hound and war dog. Later, this breed was sent as gifts to European nobility causing the number in Ireland to decrease too much, and in 1652, a decree was made that stopped shipping them from Ireland. When the potato famine hit Ireland in 1845 and '46, the Irish Wolfhound deceased in number.

Then Captain George Augustus Graham found dogs that exemplified the breed and bred them with
Glengarry Deerhounds and sometimes to Borzoi and Great Danes. He only bred dogs that were used to breed this type of dog originally. So, he brought the Irish Wolfhound back in larger numbers.

General Looks

These are huge dogs that conjure the picture of a heavily muscled Greyhound. Some of them are as tall as a small pony. They have big heads and little ears, which lie near the head, unless it is excited. The neck is muscled and the chest deep. The abdomen recedes; it is the chest and abdomen combination that forms the distinct appearance. The paws are big and round. The rounded tail is held between the hind legs.

Is This Your Breed?

To own this dog, one needs a big yard, big vehicle, and some extensive exercise for the hound. The coat needs frequent brushing.

Coat

The coat is coarse, tufted, and wiry. It is bush-like over the eyes and under the jaw.

Color

The colors are fawn, red, brindle, black, pure white, and gray.

Locomotion

The gait is easy and powerful.

Personality

They are laid back dogs, but when instinct kicks in they will chase prey. They course other dogs, meaning chasing by sight, when playing with them. Coursing is a hunting behavior and not related to being territorial. They are quiet dogs. Some Irish Wolfhounds are friendly to strangers. So, they aren't necessarily good watch dogs, but their size could repel intruders. They like the companionship of their owners very much.

Usually, this breed is careful and benign around kids. They are intelligent and react well to firm, patient, considerate, and consistent training. They are independent, which comes from having been hunters that hunted at long distances, away from their owners.

These dogs are affable, patience, generous, thoughtful, and loyal.

Irish Wolfhound video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwVcl1Eb4c

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