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Irish Wolfhound

Breed Profile

The Irish Wolfhound breed goes back to thousands of years ago. There are speculations that it may have been brought to Ireland as early as 7000 BC. The Irish Wolfhounds were first used by the Romans for hunting, guarding, and as companion animals. Later, they were used for hunting wolves and Irish giant deer in Ireland.

Temperament

Irish Wolfhounds harbour several different personalities and are mostly known for  their personal quirks and individualism. An Irish Wolfhound, however, is rarely empty-headed, and despite its big appearance, it is not known to be destructive nor boisterous in the house. This is because the breed generally has an introvert, intelligent, and quiet disposition.

Color & Coat

Coat: The rough coat, which confers protection against the cold and damp, is wiry and hangs over the eyes and under the jaw.

Color: Coat colors are gray, brindle, red, black, white, or fawn.

Living Environment

The Irish Wolfhound does not fare well within an apartment. It is relatively inactive indoors and will thrive if given at least a large yard. Given its sheer size, it may not feel comfortable within a small or compact car. This is a suitable dog breed for kids. It is also affectionate toward other pets and friendly toward strangers.

Health

Dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer are the leading cause of death and like all deep-chested dogs, gastric torsion (bloat) is common. The breed is affected by hereditary intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.