The tallest dog breed, the Irish wolfhound is a giant hound native to Ireland that can stand up to 7 feet tall when on their hind legs. They have a medium-length, wiry double coat and a lanky but muscular build. A true gentle giant, the Irish wolfhound has an imposing stature but a calm demeanor and can be a wonderful companion if you have the space for them. Originally bred as a big game hunter, they are now primarily a family dog.

Learn more about this gentle giant, including their Irish history, temperament, and care needs.

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.

These dogs also take a long time to mature as puppies. This means you’ll have a large puppy that doesn’t always act their age, which can be frustrating, especially for pet owners who want adult behavior and a dog that isn’t always rambunctious.

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 the dogs had served their purpose.  

However, in the mid-1800s, a British army captain found the remaining Irish wolfhounds and worked to preserve and standardize the breed. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Irish wolfhound in 1897.

Irish Wolfhound Care

The Irish wolfhound may be a gentle giant but still requires lots of time and energy on your part. You must make sure your dog has the chance to stretch their legs every day. And be consistent in training and socialization. Fortunately, the Irish wolfhound's grooming needs are fairly simple, even for such a big dog.

Exercise

Plan to spend at least an hour each day exercising your wolfhound. Many make excellent jogging or running partners (once their skeletal system is fully developed), and they enjoy long walks and hikes. Also, participating in dog sports, such as tracking and agility, can challenge your wolfhound's body and mind.

Because this is such a large dog, providing them with daily access to plenty of space is necessary. Ideally, your wolfhound will be able to play in a fenced yard where they can really stretch their legs by running and moving at will.

Always keep in mind that this dog breed is a sighthound, and their prey drive can kick in at any time. So, it’s best only to let your wolfhound run free in an enclosed space.

When properly exercised, the Irish wolfhound is usually quite docile in the house. In fact, some owners find that they have to coax their dog to exercise each day. Irish wolfhounds can be quite the couch potato. Because they are calm in the home, they can live in an apartment, provided that it’s large enough for everyone to be comfortable and you can give your dog that much-needed outdoor space where they can really let out their energy and get some exercise.

Grooming

The double coat of Irish wolfhounds sheds a moderate amount, and it actually doesn’t have seasonal periods of higher shedding like many other breeds do. Brush at least weekly to remove loose fur and debris. And bathe your dog every one to two months, depending on how dirty they get.

Check the ears at least weekly for any dirt, irritation, and other abnormalities. And check the nails roughly once a month to see whether they’re in need of a trim. Also, aim to brush your dog’s teeth every day. 

Training

Irish wolfhounds typically do well with training because they are attentive to their owners. However, don’t become lax in your lessons or you’ll have a very large and dominant dog on your hands. Make sure to instill clear obedience lessons in your hound from puppyhood, and socialize them well for a balanced and amicable animal.

Aim to expose your dog to different people and various situations from as young of an age as possible to instill comfort and confidence. Training this large dog to walk on a leash from a young age is also very important, especially if you want children to be able to safely walk them.

With Irish wolfhounds, always use positive training methods; harsh corrections and bad experiences can cause these sensitive dogs to shut down and not learn.

Common Health Problems

Irish wolfhounds are generally a healthy breed, but they are prone to some hereditary health issues, including:

• Bloat: Also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), this is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when the stomach twists as a result of excess food, gas, or fluid. Large and giant breeds are at greater risk of bloat. 
• Heart disease: Irish wolfhounds are prone to Irish Wolfhound type Cardiomyopathy (IWCM) and atrial fibrillation. Having your dog examined by a veterinarian regularly to check on the condition of the heart is extremely important.
• Cancer: Irish wolfhounds have a higher risk of developing bone cancer at a younger age.
• Liver shunt: With this congenital condition, veins that would normally bring blood to the liver end up bypassing the organ so the blood doesn’t get filtered by it.
• Pneumonia: When pneumonia occurs, there’s inflammation in the lungs that leads to pus, fluid, and swelling, making breathing difficult.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia: These conditions affect the hips and elbows, causing symptoms like difficulty getting up, limping, and pain.
• Eye issues: Several eye problems can affect Irish wolfhounds, such as cataracts (the lens of the eye is no longer clear) and progressive retinal atrophy (the rods and cones become damaged and vision loss occurs).

Diet and Nutrition

Always have fresh water available to your dog. And expect to have a hefty food budget to feed this big breed. Most owners feed two measured meals per day. It’s best to choose a dog food that’s specifically formulated for large breeds to make sure you’re meeting your dog’s nutritional needs. Discuss the variety and amount with your vet, as this can vary based on age, activity level, and other factors. Also, be mindful of treats and extra food to prevent your dog from becoming overweight and putting too much stress on their joints. 

Also, like other deep-chested dogs, Irish wolfhounds are at risk of bloat and potentially life-threatening stomach twists. This often can arise when a dog eats too quickly. Using puzzle toys that slowly dispense food, feeding smaller meals, and restricting activity right after meals all can help to prevent bloat.

Where to Adopt or Buy an Irish Wolfhound

For a reputable breeder puppy, expect to pay around $2,000, though this can vary depending on bloodline and other factors. Irish wolfhounds are prone to various health conditions, so a good breeder will take steps to ensure the puppies are as healthy as possible, and this can result in higher prices for those puppies.

Beyond the initial cost of buying a puppy, an Irish wolfhound can be expensive because they also require regular veterinary checkups to ensure they’re healthy. And because of their large size, they need to eat more than smaller breeds.

Irish wolfhounds aren’t a common sight at animal shelters, but it’s still worth looking at your local shelters for a dog in need of a home. Also, see whether there’s a breed-specific rescue in your area.

For further information to connect you with an Irish wolfhound, check out:

• Irish Wolfhound Club of America Rescue Organization
• Irish Wolfhound Club of America Breeder Listing
  

Irish Wolfhound Overview

Irish wolfhounds can make great pets, thanks to their affectionate and gentle personality. They can be easy to train and they don’t have high grooming requirements. However, because of their large size, they do best in homes with plenty of indoor and outdoor space where they can get the playtime and exercise they need every day.

Pros of Irish Wolfhounds

• Friendly and affectionate
• Relatively quiet and calm
• Often good with children
  

Cons of Irish Wolfhounds

• Short life span
• Strong prey drive
• Prone to some hereditary health problems
  

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

When deciding whether an Irish wolfhound is right for you, discuss the breed with veterinarians, Irish wolfhound owners, reputable breeders, and rescues. Try to spend some time around Irish wolfhounds in person before committing. 

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Scottish deerhound
• Borzoi
• Greyhound

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!