The Irish Wolfhound Fun Facts

Irish Wolfhounds are sweet, gentle giants.

A Short History Of A Big Dog – The Irish Wolfhound

Wolfhounds feature strongly in Irish mythology. Bran and Sceólang are the hounds of Fionn mac Cumhaill, always faithful and by his side while hunting.

This breed has been around for over 1000 years. Originating in Ireland, (One of nine native Irish dogs) they were formerly hunting and war dogs. Wolfhounds, as the name suggests were bred to be fast enough to catch a wolf, and powerful enough to kill one. 

By the late 1700s, wolves were extinct in Ireland, and the number of Irish wolfhounds also dwindled.  

Making A Comeback

In the mid-1800s, Capt. George A Graham made it his mission to find the few remaining Irish Wolfhounds in the country and use them to revive the breed. Graham crossed the Irish Wolfhounds he found with Scottish Deerhounds to help the population bounce back.

Size

Other dogs may outweigh them, but the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all dogs. On average, a female is over 75 cm and a male is over 80 cm at the withers. The withers on a dog is the highest point of its shoulder blades.

Hair

Irish wolfhounds have a double coat of wiry hair. It will shed hair during the year but compared to many long-haired dogs, shedding is minimal. They rarely need baths unless they roll in something whiffy, and a brush twice a week keeps them in good condition.

Temperament

If you want a dog that is both big and gentle, consider adopting an Irish Wolfhound. They are sturdy and fast, loyal and protective. You’ll need to bring a wolfhound on long walks or hikes for exercise. But don’t be surprised to find you have a couch potato on your hands once they get home.