Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
Exercise needs: | 4/5 |
Easy to train: | 3/5 |
Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
Energy level: | 2/5 |
Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
Shedding: | 3/5 |
- Dogs suitable for experienced owners
- Extra training required
- Need to be aware of potential health issues
- Enjoys active walks
- Enjoys one to two hours of walking a day
- Giant dog
- Some drool
- Requires grooming every other day
- Quiet dog
- Welcomes everyone happily
- Generally friendly with other dogs
- May need additional training to live with other pets
- May need additional supervision to live with children
- Needs a large garden
- Can live in semi-rural areas
- Can be left occasionally with training
The Irish Wolfhound is predisposed to:
- Gastric dilatation volvulus
- Osteosarcoma which is a serious type of bone cancer
- Dilated cardiomyopathy¹ which is a condition where the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and cannot beat properly
- Glaucoma which is a painful condition where the pressure in the eye builds up
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness
- Portosystemic shunts²
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Eye testing for pectinate ligament abnormality testing to look for signs that a dog is affected by glaucoma.
- Eye screening scheme
¹J. Dukes-McEwan, 'Proposed Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Canine Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy', Nov 2003, Journal of Veterinary Cardiology
²K. M. Tobias, 'Association of breed with the diagnosis SMALL ANIMALS of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs: 2,400 cases (1980–2002)', Dec 2003, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Personality
Friendly and kind, the Irish Wolfhound dog is the gentle giant of the dog world. However, pups and young adults are energetic and boisterous so they may not be ideal for a family with young children. Irish Wolfhounds usually get on well with other dogs but some can be intimidated by his size. The sheer enormity of his eventual size makes him unsuitable for many families, but for those who can accommodate his needs, he is a devoted companion.
- While many people assume the Great Dane is the tallest dog in the world, if you think tall is when they are standing on their hind legs, that record is held by the Irish Wolfhound! A male Irish Wolfhound on their hind legs can
- stand at a stunning seven feet tall!
- The Irish Wolfhound appears in many legends in their home country and on one inscription are quotes as being “Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked”.
- Bred originally to hunt wolves, few have working roles today – although one who does still work, is Turlough Mor (known to his friends as Seamus), who is the mascot of the Irish Guards and can often be seen on parade in his ceremonial red coat.
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