Origin of the breed
The Irish Wolfhound is one of the oldest breeds in Europe. The first mention of these dogs dates back to the first century, and already in the Middle Ages they became known throughout Europe as hunting and fighting dogs. They were kept by Celtic tribes, used for hunting game, guarding camps and even in battles. These dogs were so prized that they were given as expensive gifts to kings, and in Ireland there were laws that determined who had the right to own a wolfhound.
In the XVIII century, the breed almost disappeared, because in Ireland disappeared wolves – the main prey of these dogs. And only in the XIX century it managed to revive it. Captain George Graham began purposefully crossing the remnants of the population with Scottish Deerhounds, Greyhounds and Dogs to restore the type. The modern Irish Wolfhound is the result of this work. It is no longer a fighting dog, but it has retained the inherent poise, strength and calmness of the breed.
Behavior and character: very big, but very calm
The Irish Wolfhound is one of the most reserved and balanced breeds among large dogs. It is not aggressive, not prone to barking without reason, gets along well with children and does not conflict with other animals. This is a dog that appreciates human presence, likes to be near and calmly endures the daily rhythm of life without tantrums or hyperactivity. From it should not expect circus tricks or service obedience – it is intelligent, but does not perform commands just for the sake of performance. It is important for him to feel respect and contact.
It is a dog that easily adapts to life in the house, although it needs space – not to run, but to lie down quietly. It quickly becomes attached to the family, likes stability and does not tolerate loneliness. At the same time, it is still observant: although it does not actively guard the territory, it always monitors what is going on around it and will warn about a stranger without making too much noise.
Appearance, size.
The Irish Wolfhound is the largest dog in the world in terms of height. Its height at the withers often exceeds 85 cm, and sometimes reaches up to 95 cm. Weight ranges from 55-75 kg. At the same time, the body remains proportional: elongated, muscular, with a deep chest and strong paws. The coat is stiff, of medium length, with a characteristic ruffle. It is dense, not too thick, but practical enough for any weather. The most common colors are gray, tiger, black, white, red or pale.
There are no varieties as such – the breed standard is the same, but due to genetic variation there are slight differences in the shape of the head, coat and ear placement. All modern Irish wolfhounds are descended from the lines established in the XIX century in England and Ireland. Irish Wolfhound puppies grow very fast – already at 6-8 months look like adult dogs, but they are fully formed only by the age of 2 years.
Care, health, longevity
Despite its formidable appearance, the Irish Wolfhound is a very vulnerable breed with a delicate body structure. The main thing in care is a properly organized diet: you can not feed the usual food for large dogs. It is necessary to choose a specialized food with support for joints, heart and low protein in the first year of life. Because of the intense growth, it is important to limit active exercise until the musculoskeletal system is fully formed.
Grooming of the Irish Wolfhound is simple: brushing several times a week, regular ear, eye and claw checks are sufficient. Bathing – only if necessary. Wolfhound does not have a strong odor, does not molt intensively.
The most common health problems are heart failure, gastric congestion, hip dysplasia. Therefore, it is important to have constant communication with your veterinarian, avoid jumping, sharp turns, and overeating. The average life expectancy is 6-8 years. This is not much, but with the right approach the pes will live the most peaceful, comfortable and dignified life possible.
This is not a dog for everyone. But if you are ready for responsibility, the Irish Wolfhound will be a quiet, deep friend with a huge presence by your side.
