Get to know the tallest dog in the world: the Irish Wolfhound. This ancient dog breed is gentle, proud, and athletic. Whether they’re strolling with their dedicated Dog Walker or prancing around at the dog park, this massive dog is sure to turn heads.
Quick Facts ✔
Height – 76 – 81cm (but can reach up to 90cm)
Weight – 48 – 54kg
Lifespan – 6 – 10 years
Country of origin – Ireland
Breed type – Hound
- Spacious households
- Active families
- Homes with older children
Irish Wolfhound Breed History ♜
As with all ancient breeds, the true origin of the Irish Wolfhound is difficult to pin down. Over the course of their history, they’ve had many names, many jobs, and many different versions of how they came about. And that’s all part of the mystery. Once you’ve sifted through some of the more common Irish Wolfhound legends, you’re free to choose which version of the story is most appealing to you!
The earliest version of the Irish Wolfhound we have on record is the cú faoil, which was the moniker of this breed in Ancient Gaelic thousands of years ago. This large, fearsome dog hunted boar, deer, and wolves throughout the five Irish kingdoms. But perhaps more importantly, they were revered as war dogs in a time when battles were commonplace.
Many of the legends from this era are tragic stories of faithful dogs fighting to the end for their masters. One particularly famous one is of Ailbé, owned by the King of Leinster. Apparently, this dog was so admirable that two other kings started a bidding war for him. Eventually, this boiled over into an actual war. Instead of surrendering, Ailbé himself went down in battle, cementing his place in poems for generations.
It’s perhaps not surprising that these dogs made an impression on the fearless Romans during their occupation of Britain in the 1st century. Historians believe that the Romans even brought some of these dogs home to compete in games, where they earned acclaim. For the next few hundred years, the breed became world-famous and highly prized.
Sadly, it was also the Irish Wolfhound’s success that almost led to their extinction. By the 18th century, when humans used the breed almost exclusively for wolf-hunting, Wolfhounds found themselves without a job. The wolves were gone as a result of overhunting.
If not for the impassioned work of Irish Wolfhound enthusiasts, like the British Captain George Graham, the breed may have vanished into history. As it happened, Graham created an Irish Wolfhound Club in the late 19th century and brought the breed back from the brink.
Today, the Irish Wolfhound is not exactly the same dog as it was back when Ailbé was charging into battle. To protect the gene pool, the breed has incorporated Mastiffs, Great Danes, and other large dogs. Even so, it still attracts love as a representation of Irish heritage and folklore.
Irish Wolfhound Personality Traits ★
Don’t be put off by this dog’s fierce past – the Irish Wolfhound today is not the dog of legends. In fact, the words that you might use to describe the Irish Wolfhound—sensitive, gentle, loving, and calm—make it hard to believe that this dog has ever been anything other than a loveable companion pet.
The Irish Wolfhound makes a wonderful family dog. They are patient and careful with children, and only pose a danger to toddlers, whom they might accidentally knock over.
In terms of houseguests, the Irish Wolfhound is polite and stoic. They won’t go jumping all over your friends as they walk through the door, but they won’t be cold either.
If you’re looking for a guard dog, the Irish Wolfhound will do an adequate job. Of course, their size alone is likely to ward off any intruders. However, they may not sound the alarm at the first sign that something is amiss. When push comes to shove, they’ll protect their family, but they’re not fearless warriors of the past.
As a sighthound, this breed has an ingrained prey drive, so their Owners should always supervise them outdoors. It’s a good idea to socialise them to other animals as puppies so that they don’t spend their adult years chasing after everything that moves (after all, most animals could be seen as prey in the eyes of the giant Irish Wolfhound.)
If there’s one secret that Irish Wolfhound Owners would tell you, it’s that this breed has a surprisingly silly personality. Those long legs make this dog a bit awkward and clumsy, and with their playful attitude, they’re the perfect furry comedians. Of course, for every smile they bring to your face, they demand plenty of belly scratches. It’s a fair trade-off!
Trainability and Training Tips
The Irish Wolfhound didn’t earn its grand reputation by being difficult to train. As such, you’ll find that these intelligent dogs learn quickly and willingly.
That said, they are also part of the sighthound family, along with Greyhounds and Whippets. These dogs evolved to follow prey by sight instead of by smell, and that has made a big difference on how they relate to their handlers. This is because hunting by sight is a much more time-sensitive activity. If these dogs were to wait around for their Owners’ go-ahead, the prey would be long gone. Instead, they spring into action as soon as they see something interesting, such as a fox or a bird. You can see why this would create a training challenge!
Because of this tendency to run, it will be important to start training your Irish Wolfhound in an enclosed space. If you’re outside, make sure that fence is tall enough not to be hopped by the World’s Tallest Dog.
From there, the trick is to keep things positive, because this is a sensitive doggo. Again, it’s remarkable to think of how far they’ve come from their ferocious ancestors, but it’s true—they’re big softies. Try to train them with an iron fist, and they’ll shrink away from the task entirely.
In short, you’ll want to come prepared with treats, an upbeat attitude, and plenty of compliments. If you do, the Irish Wolfhound will learn anything you want to teach them.
If you’re looking to take your training beyond the basic commands, your Irish Wolfhound will love for you to draw on their inherent hunting skills. They’re especially fond of lure coursing, a group game of chase involving a mechanical lure. It’s the modern-day, humane version of small game hunting in which you can watch all your favourite speed breeds—Afghan Hounds, Basenji, Greyhounds and more—in action.
Irish Wolfhound Exercise Needs & Living Conditions ⌂
Irish Wolfhounds are energetic dogs with moderate to high exercise needs. Some Owners say that their Irish Wolfhound is happy with about an hour of exercise, while others admit that two hours is necessary to expel their energy.
Because of their size, these dogs may not be content as your jogging partner. No matter how fast you are, they’ll be at a leisurely trot. An alternative could be to train them to run alongside your bicycle. But remember, they will need to be on a lead and reeled in if they spot something that looks like prey. So, unless you’re very confident about your dog’s recall response, make sure that you can bicycle safely with a hand on the lead.
The ideal form of exercise, of course, is to let this giant pooch run free. If you have access to a large enclosed space, they’ll really be able to stretch their legs. And, as we mentioned, activities that are reminiscent of their hunting days, such as lure coursing, are wonderful exercise for these doggos.
In terms of living conditions, these pups are big cuddlers who love to be alongside their favourite humans. Truly, there’s not a sofa or mattress that an Irish Wolfhound won’t love. With that said, the Irish Wolfhound isn’t an ideal apartment dog. For one thing, they’re just too lanky and large for a small space. If you don’t want your picture frames swept off the shelves by a wagging tail, you’ll make sure that this dog has some elbow room. Even then, keep an eye on this clever canine when there’s any food on the counter or dining table. After all, whatever you can reach, they can reach, too!
The second drawback of an apartment: they often have stairs. Because of this pup’s skeletal structure and shorter-than-average lifespan, stairs can take a toll. If you live in a home with stairs inside, it might be advantageous for this pooch to keep them comfortable on the bottom floor.
One final thing that we’ll mention about living conditions for the Irish Wolfhound may surprise you. It has to do with their peculiar howling behaviour. Because, while this dog is generally very quiet and reserved, they do have a tendency to howl when they’re with those of their own kind. It harks back to their days in the field, when they would have to communicate with other Irish Wolfhounds over the span of several kilometres.
To be honest, it’s an impressive sight—these wolf-like puppers howl just like their canis lupus ancestors. However, it could pose an issue if you’re in a quiet neighbourhood. Presumably, Irish Wolfhounds won’t just howl with other Irish Wolfhounds, but also with any howling pooch, such as your neighbourhood Bloodhound, Beagle, or Husky.
Irish Wolfhound Grooming ✄
The Irish Wolfhound has a remarkable, distinctive wiry coat that requires nothing more than regular brushing. Bathe an Irish Wolfhound more than a few times per year and you’ll likely awaken some skin irritation.
For the show dogs, Owners will choose to trim the hair around the face, ears, toes, and tail end to give this pooch some definition in the ring. For standard Wolfies, though, it’s not necessary. An Irish Wolfhound with a full face of scruff is just as handsome as one after a trim.
These dogs do shed quite a bit, so keep a grooming brush handy for when you’re cuddled up together. You should have plenty of opportunities for this throughout the week, as these doggos love to lounge.
Beyond that, grooming is straightforward and simple. Keep their nails trimmed, check their ears and skin for pests and irritations, and brush those teeth! On which note, take a look at our article on doggy teeth brushing for guidance.
Irish Wolfhound Health +
You might have noticed that this dog has a sadly short lifespan. It’s simply a fact of the breed. Owners of the Irish Wolfhound have to be sure not only to enjoy every moment with their pup, but also prioritise their health.
These dogs are susceptible to some serious conditions, such as von Willebrand’s Disease (a blood disorder), bloat, and heart disease. Special care must also be taken with puppies, as their rapid growth rate can make them vulnerable to injury.
While many of the conditions in the breed are hereditary, one major factor in an Irish Wolfhound’s health is diet. The better these dogs eat, the better they can fare some of the health issues that are common with the breed. For this, Mad Paws Dinner Bowl can provide raw, human-grade dog meals for this pup’s dietary needs.
Fun Fact ♥
We’ve already mentioned that the Irish Wolfhound is an important part of Irish history and cultural celebration. But just how prestigious are they? Well, just ask the official Irish Guard Mascots who make regular appearances at Buckingham Palace!
The royal family may no longer have Corgis, but you can spot these regal pups whenever the Irish Guard performs the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Final Thoughts on the Irish Wolfhound
For the tallest dog in the world, you may have equally high expectations for the Irish Wolfhound. And you wouldn’t be mistaken. This is a dog with an impressive history, wonderfully rich personality, and level of athleticism that anyone can admire.
Owners of the Irish Wolfhound sign on for a shorter lifespan and somewhat difficult training process with the knowledge that this is a dog with a lot to offer. They’re fun to be around, great with children, and affectionate with their family.
We’re all lucky to be able to enjoy the ancient, magnificent Irish Wolfhound!
