Irish Wolfhound: Size, Character & Life Expectancy

In the following breed portrait it goes to the Emerald Isle to Irland. For hundreds of years, the Irish wolfhound bred.

The imposing fur nose may seem frightening at first glance be, but it isn’t.

what itself behind the Struwwelpeter optics hides and what you need to pay special attention to with this breedyou will now find out.

Irish Wolfhound Wanted Poster

Size Male: from 79 cm, female: from 71 cmWeightMale: from 54.5 kg, female: from 40.5 kgColorsBlack, gray, white, fawn, red, brindleLife expectancy6 to 10 yearsOriginIrelandcharacter/temperamentpatient, mindful, loyal, dignified, good-natured, kind, intelligentFCI groupGroup 10: Sighthounds, Section 2: Wire-Coated Sighthounds

Look

That the Irish Wolfhound belongs to the greyhoundslets on lean, wiry and muscular body recognizable almost at first sight.

This is carried by long and slender legsthe contribute significantly to the imposing size of the breed.

The dog is completed with the long, slender head and the attached rose ears from one long tail that almost touches the ground suffices.

Coat, coat texture & coat colors

The Irish Wolfhound’s coat is medium length. The really eye-catching is the rough and hard structure of the hairwhich give the dog an extremely daring appearance.

According to the breed standard, the following colors are allowed: Black, grey, white, red, fawn and brindle.

Eye Shape & Eye Color

The Irish wolfhound eyes are oval to almond-shaped. The breed standard calls for pigmented, ideally dark, eye color.

Height Weight

When it comes to Irish Wolfhound size and weight, there are the breed standard does not have any really fixed values at.

Here that applies Males a shoulder height from 79 centimeters should show female dogs a height at the withers from 71 centimeters.

The same applies to the weight of the greyhound breed. While Males from 54.5 kilograms should weigh, should Females from 40.5 kilograms put on the scales.

History & Origin of the Irish Wolfhound

The name of the breed already reveals where it originally came from – from Ireland. There, the Irish Wolfhound is just as much a part of the country as Guinness and whiskey.

The gentle giant is bred in which, among other things Deerhounds and Great Danes have already been crossed for hundreds of years.

During the 19th century stood the Irish Wolfhound just before extinction. Luckily, breeding efforts prevented this.

Meanwhile the dog is enjoying himself Officially recognized by the FCI in 1955 gained a large following, even outside of Ireland.

Nature & Character of the Irish Wolfhound

You meet for the first time an Irish wolfhound, the dog might give you a bit of the Shock in the limbs lets go.

After all, he is many but not small – and his too shaggy look may not immediately appear trusting.

Don’t be fooled by the Irish Wolfhound’s appearance, though neither deter nor deceive.

Because actually this dog is a gentle giant in characterwhich would not harm a fly at first.

He is considered extremely patient and attentive dogthe one with a dignified and good-natured temperament Is provided.

With his kind nature and loyal character the Irish Wolfhound is a very faithful companionthe one close bond with his human builds up.

It can also be impetuous temper come to light. Because the actual couch potato likes to forget that she is a giant is.

But not a cute lapdog – and so in the exuberance of joy one or the other decorative object can break.

And you too as a two-legged roommate you run the risk of being thrown overboard by the biggest dog in the world out of sheer love to become.

That also means that you young children carefully should be. This the Irish wolfhound loves it madly and it usually works very carefully with them.

But, be big heart and his great love for his people and be friendly character can be stunning.

attitude & upbringing

How do you think the size of the world’s tallest dog affects his attitude and upbringing out of? And what role do nature, character and temperament play?

The Answers to these exciting questions you get now.

attitude

Let’s start with the home environment that is for the Irish Wolfhound rather unsuitable: the city apartment. Unless this is very spacious and large.

Because as the largest dog in the world, the Irish Wolfhound needs of course, plenty of space to feel comfortable.

Add to that the peaceful and relaxed dog still has a strong hunting instinct.

And this one in turn affects his urge to move out, which is quite pronounced.

One Attitude in a rural area and in a house is therefore significantly better for the Irish Wolfhound.

Upbringing

The upbringing of the Irish Wolfhound is considered relatively uncomplicated. Of course you have to with this breed too be consistent and have tact.

Did you know that the Irish Wolfhound very responsive to eye contact? You should take advantage of this fact in your upbringing.

Because by your body language and even your look can you reinforce important commands positively and quickly teach the willing Irish Wolfhound.

You should also not forget the hunting instinct that is inherent in this breed. This should already be steered in the right direction during puppy training.

It can be quite useful with the Irish Wolfhound one Go to puppy or dog school.

So you not only contribute to the education of your fur nose. You support one too Species-appropriate and early socialization of the Irish Wolfhound.

Health & Care

Robust health or racial diseasesthat cause problems and affect the life expectancy of the Irish Wolfhound?

And how much and which Care need this imposing dog breed? We will now explain what you should pay attention to.

Grooming & General Grooming

Regular brushing to remove dirt and loose hair, suffices in terms of grooming the Irish Wolfhound completely off.

Please note that the Fringes possibly trimmed have to be – namely when they do Restrict the Irish Wolfhound’s field of vision.

it is more important a closer look at the eyes, ears and claws to keep. Here you can quickly Inflammation and resulting diseases fix.

Health

And that brings us to Irish Wolfhound health. And here there is unfortunately not too good news.

Because with the Irish Wolfhound has been in recent years done a lot of health mischief.

That has changed had a massive impact on the life expectancy of dogs. Because instead of paying attention to health, should always faster and larger dogs bred become.

Luckily has meanwhile a rethinking has taken place. This means that the Irish Wolfhound is now paying more attention to avoiding diseases.

Neurological diseases can also occur in the Irish Wolfhound, including among others epilepsy.

In addition, the breed should Predisposition to bone cancer, known as osteosarcoma.

And the Unfortunately, the list is not over yetbecause these diseases can also cause problems:

Life expectancy

Unfortunately, we have to state at this point that the Life expectancy of the Irish Wolfhound is not among the highest counts.

Because the Irish Wolfhound will usually only between 6 and 10 years old.

Is the Irish Wolfhound right for me?

Is the Irish Wolfhound right for you? Before you get some fun facts, we will of course first clarify this important question for you.

And when you put a tick behind the following statements can put, the Irish wolfhound is the right fur nose for you.

You are looking for one Family dog ​​with a strong guard and protective instinct.

You are looking for one faithful companionwith whom you are together lots of adventures can experience.

You are looking for one beginner dog with a particularly sunny disposition.

Fun facts about the Irish Wolfhound

Fun facts make life more exciting and fun. So here are a few more Facts about the Irish Wolfhound.

Irish Wolfhound puppies from a reputable breeder between €1,500 and €2,000.

An Irish Wolfhound matured at the age of 3. It grows fastest in the first 18 months – namely up to 17 centimeters per month!

The Irish King Cormac mac Airt should one whole army of Irish wolfhounds have had – and this one was 300 dogs strong!

The Wolfhound name derives from the fact that the breed in the Middle Ages for hunting wolves was used.

The Irish Wolfhound was a popular nobility gift and was gladly given away to European kings.

In Ireland the Irish Wolfhound is called in Irish cú faoil.

And because we are sure there are many more stories to come, we look forward to reading them in the comments from you. 😊