FCI 10/2/160 · Country of origin Ireland
Irish wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound originates from Ireland, where since medieval times it was bred to hunt wolves, deer, and other large game. It is characterized by its towering, graceful build, smooth coat, and noble expression. Originally valued for its speed, courage, and ability to work in packs, today’s Wolfhound is a gentle, quiet, and devoted companion. It requires consistent training, appropriate exercise, and ample space. With proper care, it becomes a gentle giant in the family and a reliable partner on long walks.
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The oldest Irish breed, mentioned in classical sources. With the extermination of the wolf in Ireland it nearly died out; in the second half of the 19th century Captain George Augustus Graham restored it by crossing the last specimens with the Great Dane and the Scottish Deerhound.
A gentle, kind, loyal hound with a friendly nature towards people and other dogs. The standard sums it up as ‘a lamb in the home and a lion in the chase’. For all its size it is no guardian — it meets a stranger with curiosity, not menace.
The rough coat is combed weekly and stripped occasionally. What matters is something else: in the first year it must not be overworked, because it grows exceptionally fast. It needs a soft bed and space — including space to stretch out.
The deep chest means a risk of gastric torsion, whose signs the owner must know. The heart is screened for dilated cardiomyopathy by echocardiography, along with bone disease and hip dysplasia. The breed lives under ten years and that has to be accepted in advance.
For a house with space and a family that understands the time together will be short. Exceptionally gentle with children. Reservations for a first-time owner, chiefly for size, cost and the short life.
Until the end of the 17th century, hunting wolves, wild boar and deer in Ireland.
Companion; coursing and showing.
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