| The Irish Wolfhound became so popular as a | | | | darker markings, including black or red |
| gift a couple of centuries ago that | | | | overcoats. White, gray, red, brindle and |
| exportation from Britain was banned for | | | | black are all recognized by the AKC standard. |
| several decades. They are a very large dog, | | | | |
| sometimes weighing in at 150 pounds. The | | | | The sheer size of these dogs makes them a |
| Irish Wolfhound has a shaggy coat and a | | | | good choice for a guard dog, but it's |
| muscular body, but these dogs require careful | | | | important to note that guarding doesn't come |
| care and attention. | | | | naturally to this breed. They do tend to be |
| | | | loyal to a fault and will usually prefer to |
| The popularity of the Irish Wolfhound was | | | | spend time with their family above and beyond |
| probably due to the fact that it was favored | | | | all other activities. They do like to play, |
| among the nobility and wealthy families. | | | | but their size makes them clumsy - not |
| There's no doubt that the large, shaggy | | | | typically a good choice for an indoor pet, |
| appearance of these giants is what attracted | | | | especially if there's limited space. |
| the attention of so many people. | | | | |
| | | | The Irish Wolfhound is usually very easy to |
| The breed originated as a hunting dog, mainly | | | | train. Most who own, breed or train these |
| for big game. Elk, wolves and hogs were among | | | | dogs seem to think that these canines are |
| the animals the Irish Wolfhound were trained | | | | very anxious to please and will try to |
| to track - hence the selective breeding to | | | | anticipate what is wanted. Their willingness |
| gain the large size. This is the tallest | | | | to learn makes them a good choice for |
| breed of dog in existence. | | | | learning tricks, though what they can do will |
| | | | be somewhat limited by their size. Remember |
| The popularity of the breed and the constant | | | | that early training is a must, because a |
| exportation combined with the fact that the | | | | grown Irish Wolfhound will likely be too big |
| fox hunts in England killed out the entire | | | | to be controlled by a normal-sized person. |
| fox population led to the near-demise of the | | | | |
| Irish Wolfhound. In fact, it's noted that | | | | One of the negative points of the Irish |
| there were probably no full-blood Irish | | | | Wolfhound is this dog's tendency toward a |
| Wolfhounds left in Ireland at some point | | | | short life. They typically live only about |
| during the 17th Century. When the breed was | | | | seven or eight years, mostly due to their |
| returned to its native country, new | | | | large size. Their size also makes them |
| bloodlines were introduced - including that | | | | susceptible to hip problems. Young Irish |
| of the Great Dane - in an effort to | | | | Wolfhounds, unlike most puppies, need limited |
| revitalize the breed. | | | | exercise. Long walks are not a good idea |
| | | | until the muscle mass catches up to the |
| As a rule, the Irish Wolfhound tends toward | | | | rapidly growing frame of the Irish Wolfhound |
| light colors - gray or white. Some have | | | | pup. |