Irish Wolfhound
Also known as: Celtic hound
The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest breed recognised by the FCI, descended from ancient Irish dogs used to hunt wolves and even elk, before the breed nearly vanished in the nineteenth century once wolves were wiped out on the island. A Scottish captain, George Augustus Graham, rebuilt the breed in the late nineteenth century by crossing surviving dogs with the Deerhound and other related breeds. Despite its towering height, the frame stays lean and light, built for speed rather than raw power. The rough, wiry coat, especially thick over the eyes and under the jaw, protects against Ireland's cold, damp weather. As with most giant breeds, lifespan is notably short, often just 6 to 8 years. Temperament is gentle and calm, rarely aggressive despite the imposing size. Heart disease is a primary health concern when selecting a breeder. Speed and a strong prey drive mean an unfenced dog can chase a moving object a very long way. Life expectancy runs 6 to 8 years.
Irish Wolfhound: how old in human years?
- 71–79 cmHeight
- 40.5–54.5 kgWeight
- 6–8 yrsLife expectancy
- FCI group
- Sighthounds
- FCI section
- Section 2: Rough-haired Sighthounds
- FCI
- 160
- Country of origin
- Ireland
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Energy level
3/5 -
Trainability
3/5 -
Family friendly
5/5 -
Grooming need
3/5
At a glance
- Height
-
Males not specified
Females not specified
- Weight
-
Males not specified
Females not specified
- Life expectancy
- 6–8 yrs
- Coat
- rough and harsh, wiry, especially over eyes and under jaw (wire-haired)
Temperament & Family Life
Irish Wolfhound's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.
- Family friendly 5/5
- Good with children 4/5
- Good with other dogs 4/5
- Friendly with strangers 3/5
- Intelligence 3/5
- Trainability 3/5
Exercise, Energy & Space
Irish Wolfhound's energy and exercise needs are moderate.
- Energy level 3/5
- Exercise need 3/5
- Apartment friendly 1/5
- Prey drive 3/5
- Hunting instinct 3/5
Guarding & Alertness
Irish Wolfhound's guarding and alertness traits are low.
- Guarding instinct 1/5
- Watchfulness 2/5
- Barking level 1/5
Grooming & Care
Irish Wolfhound's grooming needs are low.
- Shedding 2/5
- Drooling 2/5
- Grooming need 3/5
Living with the Irish Wolfhound
The first time your neighbour sees your Irish Wolfhound, they will probably ask whether you have bought a calf, while the dog itself lies sprawled on the rug and barely raises an eyebrow. This Irish sighthound, once used to hunt wolves, is quiet, gentle and unhurried at home, a giant that hardly ever barks and above all wants to lie wherever you happen to be. It greets visitors warmly, so do not expect a guard dog: its only real defence is the way it looks.
A day with a Wolfhound means long, easy walks and, whenever you can manage it, a chance to open up to full speed somewhere safely fenced, because a sighthound's heart still wants to run. A hare or a cat darting past can wake the chaser in it, so keep the lead on near roads and practise the recall patiently, with treats. This is a sensitive dog that does not take well to harshness and learns best from gentle, consistent handling; while it is growing, keep play calm rather than full of leaps off the stairs.
A flat is a squeeze for a dog that can look you in the eye standing on its hind legs; it needs room to turn around, in the car as much as by the coffee table, where one sweep of the tail clears the mugs. It is patient and soft with children and gets along with other dogs, though the smallest children are worth watching, since one happy wag can knock them over.
Grooming and coat
The Irish Wolfhound wears a rough, wiry coat that grows longer over the eyes and under the jaw, giving it eyebrows and a beard worthy of an old sea captain. It does not shed much, but once a week it is worth going through the coat with a brush and a wide-toothed comb right down to the skin: that lifts out dead hair, finds the little tangles behind the ears, and gives you a chance to check the skin for scrapes, redness or new lumps. Some owners tidy the coat now and then by plucking out dead hair by hand, which keeps it neat and harsh, the way it is meant to be.
The beard is a story of its own. After every drink it drips water across half the kitchen, and after dinner it keeps souvenirs, so wipe it with a damp cloth to keep the skin underneath from getting sore or smelly. Keep the hair above the eyes from poking into them, and wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft damp cloth when needed. Look into those small, folded-back ears once a week: inside they should be clean and free of any unpleasant smell, and a red ear or a dog that keeps shaking its head is a reason to see the vet.
Health and possible conditions
Few dogs stand taller than an Irish Wolfhound, and a body built on that scale is given a shorter life than a small dog's: around six to eight years. That makes every year count, and attention to the heart, joints, bones and stomach pays off in a calmer, more comfortable life. If you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing, and if anything seems off, let your vet take a look.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.
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Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
The stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself, cutting off its own blood supply, and from that moment minutes matter. A dog in trouble paces, retches without bringing anything up, drools, and the belly swells and turns hard. With that deep, narrow chest the Irish Wolfhound is one of the dogs at risk, so if you see these signs, get to a vet immediately.
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Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumour that eats away at the bone from the inside and can spread to other organs. The first sign may be a limp that does not go away with rest, or a sore swelling on a leg. In a dog as tall and long-legged as a Wolfhound, a limp that lingers is more than a pulled muscle, so have your vet look at it.
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Hip dysplasia
In hip dysplasia the hip joint forms badly, so the ball moves more loosely in its socket than it should and the joint wears over time. You might see a dog who is slow to get up after a nap, avoids stairs, or runs with both back legs pushing together like a rabbit. When legs this long carry this much dog, joint health matters a great deal, so ask the breeder about the parents' health testing before you choose a puppy.
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Elbow dysplasia
The bones of the elbow grow at different rates and do not fit together properly, which makes the joint sore and changes it over time. In a young dog it shows as a limp on a front leg, especially after a longer walk, or a front paw that turns outward. A Wolfhound puppy grows at an astonishing pace in its first year, so if it starts limping, show it to your vet rather than waiting for it to grow out of it.
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Dilated cardiomyopathy
In dilated cardiomyopathy the heart muscle thins and weakens, the heart enlarges and can no longer pump blood well. The early changes are quiet: a dog who tires sooner, breathes faster at rest than before, coughs, or goes off its food. A Wolfhound is a laid-back soul to begin with, so tiredness is easy to put down to character, and regular check-ups with your vet help catch heart changes in time.