Irish Wolfhound
Puppy
Fully Grown
The Irish Wolfhound is one of the largest dog breeds in the world. They can reach one meter in height and weigh up to 54kg. Take note - with this breed you will be buying loads of dog food, not only to feed their large body mass, but also as they simply love food! Even though they love their food, for a giant breed, the Irish Wolfhound looks athletic and well proportioned.
Everything is big with this breed, even its personality. Irish Wolfhounds are furry, gentle giants who love to rumble and run. They have a very sensitive side that doesn’t go at all with shouting or roughness. This clever and bright breed prefers a gentle and soft handler that will guide them to do the right thing. They are always friendly and relaxed but do require a great amount of exercise every day.
Irish Wolfhounds are alert and brave. In the past this bravery was needed for hunting wolves. Now that they are kept more as pet dogs, these hunting instincts are still present and they may sometimes feel the need to chase deer and other larger animals.
First time dog owners may not be equipped to control this hunting instinct. Other than that, this giant gentle makes a perfect family dog. Teaching them to walk nicely on lead is a must from puppyhood. Once an adult, it will be hard to control your Wolfhound’s body mass if he decides to pull you down the streets.
| Weight: | 63-81 kg |
| Health risk: | Very high |
| Life expectancy: | 6-10 years |
| Coat: | Medium |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | very high |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Irish Wolfhound from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Irish Wolfhound to adopt:
To help your rescued Irish Wolfhound to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Irish Wolfhound from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
