Irish wolfhound

The tallest dog in the world, this big, muscular breed may look imposing, but they’re known as the ‘gentle giant’ of the dog world because of their sweet nature. While they were once used as war dogs and hunting dogs, their agreeable temperament makes them wonderful companions. They thrive in human company, which makes them great family dogs. The 1. They're the tallest dog in the world Freddy the Great Dane may be the tallest dog on record, but the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest breed. These dogs were originally bred because of their muscular build and tall, imposing stature. Males can measure up to 3 feet tall on all fours and up to 7 feet when standing on their hind legs. They’re not the biggest of dogs in terms of weight, but they can still weigh up to around 180 pounds. 2. They’re the oldest Irish breed The earliest written record of the Irish Wolfhound was in 391AD in a letter written from a Roman consul to his brother. Quintus Aurelius Symmachus wrote to his brother Flavianus, to thank him for his gift of seven Irish dogs and told him that: “All Rome viewed them in wonder.” It is thought that the Irish Wolfhound is the oldest Irish dog breed and at the time was only owned by kings and noblemen as a sign of their wealth and status. 3. They were once Irish war dogs The Irish Wolfhound was originally used as a war dog, accompanying Celtic warriors into battle and used to drag the enemy off their horses and chariots. The hounds were a Celtic symbol of strength and courag...

The 1. They Are the Tallest Dogs in the World The Irish Wolfhound is the 2. They Date Back to Ancient Rome The earliest written 3. Ireland Had Armies of Them According to legend, one of the High Kings of Ireland, Cormac mac Airt (who is said to have reigned sometime between the 2nd and 4th centuries) had an army of 300 hounds. Irish Wolfhounds were highly coveted because they were excellent hunters, guardians, and companions. 4. They Were Used to Hunt Big Game You can guess from their name that the Irish Wolfhound is a wolf hunter. They have also been used to hunt wild boar and deer. There are legends of bands of Scottish people and others from Northern Britain, known as the Fianna, using Irish Wolfhounds in massive hunts, where as many as 200 stags would be killed. Irish Wolfhounds have also been used to hunt the giant Irish elk. 5. They Nearly Became Extinct As the number of wolves and elk in Ireland decreased, the demand for Irish Wolfhounds dropped. The breed was thinning out by 1800, but 6. A Civil War Memorial Features an “Extinct” Irish Wolfhound One Civil War brigade, known as the 7. They Frequently Appear in Poetry There are many references to the Irish Wolfhound in poetry from many different countries, going back several centuries. One example is Katherine Phillips’ 1664 poem, “ 8. They Aren’t the Best Guardian Dogs They look imposing, and they make a great hunting dog, but the modern Irish Wolfhound isn’t a breed known for being a guardian dog. They are not at a...

Abby is a freelance writer and pup parent to two rambunctious rescued black Labs, Archie and Rainey. An outdoor enthusiast, she recently discovered the joys of bringing her pups along for the ride while traversing the country as tour support for various artists. Her writing has appeared on Daily Paws, Rachael Ray in Season and EatingWell. Haylee has worked with, trained, and studied animals of all kinds for the past decade. She is passionate about human-animal interactions, having founded the nonprofit Animal Assisted Professionals, which provides animal-assisted interventions, including animal-assisted therapy and activities. She has held roles in the pet industry that have included service and therapy canine training, rescue and shelter management, veterinary care, and animal behavioral consultation. She is a former member of the Daily Paws staff, having served as the Editor of Pet Health & Behavior. In her free time she is passionate about providing animal-assisted interventions, training and preparing therapy dog teams, and spending time with her wonderful husband, charismatic daughter, two glorious dogs, and two very fluffy cats. Irish Wolfhound Overview Official Name Irish Wolfhound Common Name Irish Wolfhound Pet Height 30 to 35 inches Pet Weight 105 to 180 pounds Lifespan 6 to 10 years Good With cats, children, dogs, families, seniors Temperament friendly, gentle, playful Intelligence high Shedding Amount infrequent Exercise Needs medium Energy Level calm Vocal Lev...

GROUP: HEIGHT:At least 30 inches (female), at least 32 inches (male) WEIGHT: 105 pounds (female), 120 pounds (male) COAT: Medium-length, wiry COAT COLOR: Black, blue, brindle, creme, gray, red, silver, white, wheaten LIFE SPAN: 6 to 8 years TEMPERAMENT: Courageous, Calm, Even-Tempered HYPOALLERGENIC: No ORIGIN: Ireland Characteristics of the Irish Wolfhound Irish wolfhounds generally have a friendly temperament despite their imposing size. They are typically very affectionate with their family and overall have an easygoing, quiet personality. With proper training and socialization, they can even be good around kids. While they only possess a moderate energy level, they need lots of space to exercise their large bodies. History of the Irish Wolfhound The history of the Irish wolfhound stretches back centuries to the birth of trade between the British empire and the Middle East. Dogs native to Britain were bred with Middle Eastern hounds that had been bartered. One of the earliest accounts of the breed is from a Roman consul, who in the year 391 described seven majestic Irish hounds he received as a gift. People used the large hounds to hunt big game. And in the 15th century, they were put to work in hunting the overpopulation of wolves in Ireland. In fact, they were such effective hunters that the wolves were hunted to extinction—and consequently the wolfhound breed almost died out because it had served its purpose. 1879 engraving of an Irish wolfhound Whiteway / DigitalVis...

ADVERTISEMENT The coat is rough and wiry and typically longer over the eyes and under the jaw. There are 13 coat colors of Irish Wolfhounds, including gray, brindle, red, black, white and fawn. 2. Where Irish Wolfhounds Came From Irish Wolfhounds may have been around since 273 B.C. The dogs were treasured for their abilities in hunting wolves and huge Irish elk. Because wolf and elk numbers dwindled over the later centuries, the breed was in danger of going extinct at one point. An Irish Wolfhound breeding program was started in 1862 by Captain George A. Graham, and a breed standard was written 23 years later. The Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest dog breed. Photos: 3. How Friendly Are Irish Wolfhounds? The breed is sweet, eager to please, loyal and intelligent. ADVERTISEMENT They are patient and caring with children and typically get along well with cats and dogs, although they may chase smaller, fleeing animals. Irish Wolfhounds are easy to train and do best with positive reinforcement, but in their first year they can be clumsy and slow to mature. They do not endure kenneling or confinement well if left for a long time. The Irish Wolfhound is not a guarding breed. Although they look intimidating because of their size, they are Explore 130+ amazing breeds! (OR … 4. Is This the Right Dog for You? Exercise Needs MEDIUM: As a The breed is inactive indoors and does well with a large yard. They are When outdoors with an Irish Wolfhound, remember that they are sight hounds and ...

There is such a thing as being too good at your job. Just ask the As far back as Roman times, there were accounts of large cú faoil in ancient Gaelic – revered for their size and ferocity. Some Irish chieftains and warriors even grafted the word cú onto their own names as an honorific, signifying that they were as venerable and loyal as the dogs themselves. Like many Sighthounds of the time-misted past, ownership of these dogs was reserved for the high born. Over the centuries, they became coveted gifts to emperors and ambassadors, kings and cardinals, often arriving in ancient times in symbolic groups of seven, tied with silver chains. Ancient Irish Hounds In 391 AD, the Roman statesman Quintus Aurelius Symmachus wrote a letter of thanks to his brother for the gift of seven Irish hounds, noting that “all Rome viewed them in wonder.” And from two millennia ago comes the story of Ailbé, so famous that two kings vied to own him, one offering “three score hundred milch cows at once and a chariot with two horses and as much again at the end of the year.” When the bidding war escalated into an actual one, Ailbé literally lost his head after attacking one of the king’s chariots and seizing its axle. Even beheaded, he hung on. As those ancient – and arguably a bit inflated – anecdotes show, these imposing Irish dogs were prized in battle. Guardians of property and livestock, they also hunted deer, elk, boar, and – as their modern name attests – wolves. The Irish people “are not w...

Size: Weight Range: Male: 120-155 lbs. Female: 105-135 lbs. Height at Withers: Male: 32 in. Female: 30 in. Features: Dolichocephalic (long face) Expectations: Exercise Requirements: 20-40 minutes/day Energy Level: Laid back Longevity Range: 5-7 yrs. Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low Tendency to Bark: Low Tendency to Dig: Low Social/Attention Needs: Moderate The defining characteristic of the Irish wolfhound is its imposing height; it is the tallest breed of dog. But a good wolfhound is more than just a tall dog. It is a sturdy, yet swift dog, capable of running down and killing large animals. It has a general greyhound build, only larger and stockier. The legs are long, the body comparatively narrow, the loin slightly arched, the chest deep and the waist moderately small. Like most sighthounds, the tail is long and carried low. Add to this a harsh, wiry coat and you have a dog that can withstand cold, damp weather and run through thick brush without getting scratched. Irish wolfhound guardians would add that the best part about the coat is the distinctive long eyebrows and beard that impart a noble expression. Just how big are these gentle giants? The males are at least 32 inches tall, and 36 inches is not uncommon. They weigh at least 120 pounds; again, many weigh much more. Even if they were to curl up (which they never do), that's a big dog! Personality: Irish wolfhounds have a heart as big as the rest of them. They are gentle, noble, sensitive and easygoing...