Irish Wolfhounds are tall. Really tall. They need ample space because of their imposing size—otherwise, they're likely to bump into and break fragile items. They thrive in spacious homes with understanding pet parents familiar with the challenges of caring for extra-large dog breeds.
Affectionate, Loyal, Independent, Friendly
Male: 120 pounds and up
Female: 105 pounds and up
Male: 32 inches and up
Female: 30 inches and up
6 to 8 years
Gray, Brindle, Red, Black, White, Fawn
Have you ever imagined seeing eye-to-eye with your dog—literally? With the easy-going Irish Wolfhound, you’ll be as close to it as possible. This is the tallest breed of dog, growing to a minimum of 30 inches tall, giving you an extra good look at their adoring gaze. (Your days of cleaning the coffee table are over, too—Irish Wolfhounds are big enough to dust it with their tails.) With their significant stature comes an extra-large helping of affection, loyalty and independence. So go ahead and upgrade to that two-piece sectional sofa you’ve had your eye on—you and your Irish Wolfhound will both need some space to stretch out and recharge after a day of playing and hanging out with your bestie.
Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.
Strong, powerful and elegant (a distinct trait of sighthounds, who hunt by sight and speed), the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all the dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Their size alone makes them look a little intimidating, but one gaze into their open, calm expression and you’ll quickly realize these gentle giants are lovers at heart.
Ears:
Irish Wolfhounds ears are small and shaped similarly to other sighthounds like Whippets or Greyhounds.
Eyes:
Their eyes are dark and often fairly round in shape.
Nose:
The nose of an Irish Wolfhound is dark, and they have a fairly long muzzle.
Coat Length:
Their coat is medium length and wiry.
Coat Color:
Irish Wolfhound coat colors include gray, brindle (faint tiger stripes), red, black, white and fawn.
Tail:
Their tails are long and curved.
If you’ve ever dreamed of being friends with Chewbacca, you’re in luck: Being BFFs with an Irish Wolfhound dog, the gentle giant of the canine world, might be the next best thing.Trained Irish Wolfhounds can adapt to life with other household pets. Due to their hunting instinct, some may be less trustworthy around cats—it depends on the individual dog and their training. Irish Wolfhounds generally love interacting with children but are better suited for households with older children simply due to their size—your pup may accidentally knock a small child over while playing.This calm breed is athletic and loves to run—but they can also be talented couch potatoes if you let them.
The Irish Wolfhound dog breed is double-coated, which means they have a soft undercoat and a wiry overcoat. Unlike many double-coated breeds, Irish Wolfhounds don’t blow their coats (AKA shed heavily) during any particular season. Instead, they shed lightly all year round. But those wiry coats become matted if you don’t brush them at least weekly. A rake brush keeps their hair from tangling and is an essential grooming tool. After brushing with the rake brush, follow with a pin brush/a> to keep their coat healthy. You should plan to bathe your Irish Wolfhound every four to six weeks and can usually trim their nails on the same schedule. Brushing your dog’s teeth is beneficial in preventing dental issues—start when they’re puppies to get them used to the feeling. Brush them two or three times a week and work your way to daily. And be sure to schedule an annual visit with your vet to have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned. Close
Here’s a good rule when training Irish Wolfhounds: Start early. Irish Wolfhounds aren’t always easy to train, but that’s not because they lack intelligence (they don’t)—it’s due to their size. They can be physically challenging to control. Teaching leash manners is much easier with a 60-pound puppy than with a 140-pound dog. Even so, training an Irish Wolfhound puppy of that size is no small feat. The best way to convince them to follow your lead is through positive reinforcement—reward their good behavior with treats, toys and praise. Irish Wolfhounds are smart, but without consistent obedience training, their independence may win over their intelligence and get them into mischief. Commands like sit, stay and come, and how to walk nicely on a leash are good places to start. You may also want to add “off” to the list; having your puppy on your couch with you now may be nice, but do you really want a 100-plus-pound adult dog on your couch later? Remember that giant breeds are slow to mature, so training for specific sports like agility should begin when an Irish Wolfhound puppy is at least 18 months old. In addition to obedience training, you’ll want to ensure they are appropriately socialized. Socialization (getting them used to new people, situations, and other animals) while they’re puppies helps them be okay with new experiences as they grow up. Keep those public outings short yet frequent, and keep them positive so your Irish Wolfhound has good associations with those experiences. Consider enrolling your extra-large puppy in puppy school. They’ll learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people. Close
Irish Wolfhounds typically do well on high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Adult Irish Wolfhounds can quickly become overweight, which can be especially hard on them as they age. Extra weight can stress their joints and lead to heart issues. You may need to adjust your dog’s food and diet depending on their specific exercise routines. Proper nutrition is essential for Irish Wolfhound puppies when they are growing, and if you decide to supplement beyond a balanced diet, consult your vet. Too much of certain nutrients (like calcium or fish oil) may damage their growing bones and joints. (Irish Wolfhounds stop growing around 2 years old.) Consult your pet’s veterinarian when making your Irish Wolfhound’s diet plan. They’re in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their needs. Close
With a stride that could be 10 feet, Irish Wolfhounds need plenty of opportunities to stretch those legs of theirs. An hour or two of exercise daily is necessary to keep them healthy. An Irish Wolfhound’s need for speed can top them out at 30 miles an hour—yep, they’re faster than you’re typically allowed to drive in a suburban neighborhood— but their galloping ways and occasional “zoomies” are more for short jaunts rather than long distances. Shorter walks of one or two miles are ideal for Irish Wolfhounds for daily exercise. Exercise is important, but growing Irish Wolfhound puppies need special consideration. When puppies are still growing and maturing, do not force exercise. Avoid jogging with them until they’re at least 16 months old—giant dog breeds, like the Irish Wolfhound, are prone to joint issues, and strenuous exercise can damage their joints before they fully mature. Strive for a balanced approach: allow puppies to play on their terms, but make sure they don’t overdo it. Close
Irish Wolfhounds have long legs that need to stretch. So, if you have a small home or apartment, think long and hard about bringing this breed home. They do best with ample space and a fenced-in yard with plenty of room to open up and run when the mood strikes… and an extra-large couch. Irish Wolfhounds like to punctuate their days with multiple naps when they’re not out playing. Since Irish Wolfhounds are so tall, they may not be the best choice for homes with young kids. Your Irish Wolfhound might accidentally play too hard or bump them with a (massive) paw. That said, the Irish Wolfhound’s temperament is well-suited to life with older children. They can also be very good with other dogs, provided they were socialized when they were young. But as with all sighthounds, homes with cats or other small pets might not be as suitable because of the dogs’ higher prey drive. If you’re an active, experienced pet parent who enjoys frequent walks, an Irish Wolfhound is an ideal companion—though you may have trouble matching them stride for stride! Close
Irish Wolfhounds have a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years, and there are several health issues to watch out for to keep your dog healthy. It’s also important to know that veterinary care for a dog of this size can be expensive. These gentle giants are worth the extra care, but if you do bring one home, keep an eye out for these concerns:
When it comes to the Irish Wolfhound’s history, the name says it all. They’re hounds, hunted wolves and are from Ireland. But to fill in a few holes with specifics, the Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed, honored for centuries in Irish folklore. Their size and stature made them excellent accomplices on quests, battles and general adventuring.
During the 1400s, they became particularly notable as wolf hunters in Ireland. However, wolves were eradicated in the country by the 1700s. Subsequently, the population of Irish Wolfhounds diminished to low levels. The Irish Wolfhound breed was in danger of extinction. Thankfully, there was renewed interest in preserving the breed in the 1800s.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Irish Wolfhound breed in 1897, and the Irish Wolfhound Club of America was established in 1926. Irish Wolfhounds rank 74 on the AKC’s list of most popular dog breeds.
Want to add an Irish Wolfhound to your family? You can find a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website. On average, Irish Wolfhound puppies will cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 for a pup. But for that, you usually get a dog screened for health and temperament issues, and they might even come with pedigree papers. You can also contact Irish Wolfhound rescue organizations to adopt, keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter.
Yes, Irish Wolfhounds shed lightly year-round. While they shed an average amount for a double-coated breed, Irish Wolfhounds aren’t known for heavy seasonal shedding.
The average life expectancy of an Irish Wolfhound is 6 to 8 years. Like many large and giant dog breeds, their lifespans are often shorter than smaller breeds.
Irish Wolfhounds get very, very big. The height of a male Irish Wolfhound is a minimum of 32 inches, and females stand a minimum of 30 inches tall. They are the tallest dog breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. A male Irish Wolfhound weighs at least 120 pounds, and females weigh at least 105 pounds.
Yes, Irish Wolfhounds are good pets. They generally have kind and devoted personalities, and they love family life. While they are often good with children, the sheer size of an Irish Wolfhound can be a concern for families with small children.
Irish Wolfhounds aren’t known for being aggressive despite their impressive size.
Some of the most popular Irish Wolfhound names reach back into Irish mythology and include Aengus, Aileen, Balor, Brigid, Cian, Danu, Deirdre, Fionnuala and Lir. Get more dog names here.
The most common Irish Wolfhound mixes are:
**Content sourced from www.chewy.com
