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