Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhound Overview
Once used to hunt wolves, the Irish Wolfhound has a pretty badass history. In Roman times, they were given as gifts to fight off lions and bears. They remained as status symbols for Celtic chieftains that waxed poetic about their dignified and calm, yet battle-ready strength. No longer used as a war hound, the Irish Wolfhound still maintains the look of a dog that’s fast enough to catch a wolf and strong enough to kill it. Not that you should fear this breed—quite the opposite. They’re extremely loyal to humans and have an introverted, reserved personality. The historic motto to describe an Irish Wolfhound is, “gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked.”
Because they’re intelligent and independent dogs, they’re easy to train and good with children. What kid doesn’t want a dog the size of a small horse? With its rough coat, coming in range of colours, and impressive height (averaging three feet at their shoulder), the Irish Wolfhound doesn’t fly under the radar. This is a dog that takes up space in both the dog park and the hearts of their owners. They’re the ultimate guardians and will feel like a true member of your family.
Did you know?
A male Irish Wolfhound stands up to 7 feet tall on his hind legs!
Irish Wolfhound Stats
Kid-Friendly- Good with other animals
Caring for your breed
Daily kibble serving
4-8 cups
Daily exercise
1 hour
Grooming frequency
Brushed Weekly
Feeding your Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest dog in the American Kennel Club and their appetite reflects their size. Feed them four to eight cups of kibble divided into two meals daily, and make sure you’re getting high-quality food. Many breeders suggest going with a low-protein option to help slow down their growth. You should also avoid giving your Irish Wolfhound any additional supplements or too many treats. Keep an eye on their food to activity ratio. This will help your dog maintain a healthy weight and not pack on any extra pounds. An overweight dog that’s this size could cause some serious health problems.