Irish Wolfhound

OVERVIEW OF THE IRISH WOLFHOUND

From being the eponym of Ireland’s rugby team to appearing as the only dog breed in the legendary game, Skyrim, the Irish Wolfhound has enjoyed a history that has dominated and inspired pop culture, literature, poetry and even mythology. This breed can thank its huge size and awe-inspiring presence for this continuous fame.

Speaking of sizes, at 30 to 32 inches in the case of females and a whopping 32 to 36 inches in the case of males, the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest dog breed in the world. And it’s not like the doggo is all legs. No, sir. Its physique is well-rounded with long and muscular legs that support a broad and deep chest.

Raised high above this chest is the dog’s well-defined head that is supported by a long and muscular neck. On each side of this head are two small ears and in between them is a pair of dark, round and beautiful eyes that hide behind shaggy eyebrows.

The endearing gaze these eyes hold is rather antonymous to the intimidating presence this breed boasts. Just below these eyes are a black nose and a fairly long muzzle. Hiding behind this muzzle is a cute tongue that loves to give delightful licks to the humans the dog bonds with.

This is something the Irish Wolfhound loves doing. The sense of belonging it derives from developing a bond with a human family allows the dog to be the best version of itself. Long times apart from its family can lead to sadness and destructive behavior.

This friendly and sometimes sensitive nature means Irish Wolfhounds aren’t exactly the right match for guard duty. Their intimidating presence, however, can deter potential baddies. So, you’ll be fine keeping this breed as a watchdog.

In fact, Irish Wolfhounds have served as watchdogs throughout history. They primarily kept an eye out for wolves. This dog’s massive size also helped level the playing field when it went out hunting wolves, boars, and elks.

Along with hunting, the Irish Wolfhound was also used in battle. Its bravery and strength proved to be an asset when it came to pulling down the enemy from their horses and chariots. So, it’s not surprising these hounds were prized among nobles. In fact, it was a norm to give these pups to rulers and important dignitaries as gifts. This regal gesture arrived in silver chains and gold collars.

IRISH WOLFHOUND FOOD AND HEALTH

At an average weight of 90 to 105 pounds in the case females and 120 to a massive 180 pounds in the case of males, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the heaviest dog breeds. A large part of this weight is stored in the form of muscle that helps this doggo take on the likes of wolves and boars in single combat.

So, it’s not surprising this breed requires a protein-intensive diet. The NOW FRESH Grain Free Dog Food is a great option in this regard. It contains 26% protein which has been sourced from turkey, duck, and salmon. It also contains natural antioxidants from blueberries and pomegranates. While antioxidants ensure a healthier immune system, they are best consumed fresh. So, don’t stock up on any dog food with natural antioxidants.

If you do decide to buy dog food in bulk, make sure you store it in an airtight container, like the one from IRIS USA. This will ensure the food remains fresh and easily accessible. Pet food containers are also usually translucent which means you can easily keep track of the remaining amount and reorder accordingly.

Since Irish Wolfhounds are a large dog breed, you should feed it around four to eight cups of this dog kibble. Although, the exact dietary requirements of your pooch will depend on its age, sex, and activity levels. For example, a puppy will need more protein and meal servings since its muscles and bones are in a growing stage.

You can consult your vet to curate a tailored dietary plan for your own woofer. This will include a recommended calorie intake, along with macros and nutrients your doggo will benefit from. Then accordingly, you can decide on a homemade meal or a commercially manufactured dog food for your pooch.

Regardless of the type of food you opt for your canine friend, make sure you break it into two or three servings that are spaced out over the day. You see, Irish Wolfhounds tend to gobble up on food. This can cause gas. By dividing their daily intake into small servings, you can prevent rapid eating.

This strategy can also help prevent bloat, or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, in your pup. This digestive condition sees the dog’s tummy twisting due to excessive gas. The pup can then no longer burp or vomit which restricts the blood flow to its heart, causing the dog to go into shock.

Bloat can be life-threatening, so look out for symptoms like lethargy, high heart rate, and restlessness in your dog. Since Irish Wolfhounds are deep-chested dogs, bloat is rather common among them.

Other common medical conditions found in this dog breed include anesthesia sensitivity and bone conditions, like hip and elbow dysplasia. While bone conditions are usually inherited, they may be caused because of overeating and obesity too.

So, don’t go too overboard with the treats and meals. Always remember the waist of an Irish Wolfhound should always be visible. On the other hand, you should be able to feel their ribs but not see them.

To prevent any inherited bone conditions, make sure the breeder you get the dog from has health clearances for the dog and its parents on hand. In this regard, you should keep an eye out for clearance from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia and Auburn University for elbow dysplasia.

As far as anesthesia sensitivity goes, this is a common condition found in sighthounds like Irish Wolfhounds. Sighthounds are dogs who only use their sense of sight to hunt with minimal or no interference by humans.

Their sensitivity to anesthesia means a regular dosage of any sleep-inducing drug may kill the dog. While most vets will know about this when administering any drug, it won’t hurt to be informed beforehand.

LEASHES AND COLLARS FOR YOUR IRISH WOLFHOUND

Just like any sighthound, the Irish Wolfhound is a highly distractible doggo. They’ll chase after any running animal or strange creature that catches their eye. Once the chase is on, the canine won’t listen to your calls or pay heed to the moving traffic. This can lead to injuries and even death.

So, make sure you always leash your dog when taking it out for a walk. This will help you control the dog and guide them when out on walks. The Irish Wolfhound’s large size and great strength mean you’ll be better off getting a short dog leash. These are leashes that are less than four feet in length. A short dog leash will provide you with superior control over your pup’s movement.

If you’re in the market for a short leash for your Irish Wolfhound, check out the FAIRWIN Leather Short Dog Leash. Its leather construction lends a premium feel to it and enhances its strength. In fact, it can resist up to 500 pounds of force!

Don’t worry; these walks will be minimal since the Irish Wolfhound is an introverted dog who prefers playing indoors or in a fenced yard rather than going out. Speaking of fenced yards, this dog isn’t exactly suited for apartment living. So, unless you’ve got a big house with a backyard, it won’t be wise to get this breed.

The fences in your yard should also be high enough to prevent the pooch from jumping over them and going on adventures. Still, you should take certain precautions for such a situation. We recommend attaching a GPS tracker to their collar. These devices will let you set virtual fences and alert you when your dog crosses them.

Your dog’s collar should also feature an identification tag. Make sure it fits them well and doesn’t cause any matting. If you’re in the market for a collar for your Irish Wolfhound, consider the one from Bestia Maximus. Equal parts rugged and strong, it is specifically made for large breeds like the Wolfhound.

Finally, you should also think about getting a harness for your Irish Wolfhound. This piece of equipment will offer hooks for you to attach to the leash. Unlike a collar, a harness distributes the force over the entire body of the dog. So, by attaching the leash to it, you won’t have to worry about hurting your dog’s neck each time you pull at its leash.

BEST CRATES, BEDS, AND DOG HOUSES FOR IRISH WOLFHOUNDS

Although the Irish Wolfhound is a highly independent dog, you can train it to be more obedient. Positive reinforcement can do wonders in this regard since the dog responds amazingly to treats and praises.

As far as house training goes, you can utilize crate training to instill household manners. Crating should not be excessively used since sitting in small structures for long can hurt their joints.

If you’re looking for a crate to train your Irish Wolfhound, consider the Midwest SL54DD. Its 54-inch size is sure to be spacious enough for your pup. Regardless of the exact crate you opt for, make sure it’s at least 48 inches big and is sturdy enough to contain the dog’s strength.

This requirement for sturdiness will also extend to your decision to buy a dog bed for your Irish Wolfhound. It should be spacious, sturdy, and comfortable. On the note of comfort, we recommend getting something with orthopedic foam.

The PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed is the perfect choice in this regard. The orthopedic foam will ensure your dog’s posture isn’t compromised during snooze time. This in turn will help prevent bone-related conditions as your furry friend ages.

Although you can build an outdoor dog house for your Irish Wolfhound make sure you don’t leave it in there for long. This is because this breed is prone to develop a very strong bond with you and long times apart can lead to the dog getting morose.

IRISH WOLFHOUND TOYS

Boasting a highly intelligent mind, an Irish Wolfhound would require plenty of mental stimulation. So, consider getting them an interactive dog toy. Nina Ottosson will be ideal for this purpose.

You should also get your furball a throw toy to burn their energy and a chew toy to help them relieve their doggy stress. When opting for a chew toy, make sure the toy is indestructible. This will ensure it doesn’t tear open at the first sight of the dog’s massive fangs.

As far as the throw toy goes, a regular tennis ball or even a stick will work. But if you’d like to add a little more excitement to the game, consider something like the Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster Toy for automatic and enhanced throws.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR IRISH WOLFHOUND OWNERS

The Irish Wolfhound poses a double coat. The wiry outer coat drapes over a plush undercoat. But unlike most double-coated dogs, this breed doesn’t discard its fur during a specific shedding season. Rather, the coat sheds throughout the year.

You can invest in a high-quality lint remover to get ahead of things and keep your furniture and upholstery free of these hairs. You should also get a dog brush for coat grooming. This should be done once or twice a week. During each coat grooming session, make sure you check their ears for any foreign matter or wax buildup.

Nails should be trimmed as needed. For a smooth nail day, make sure you teach your Irish Wolfhound to be comfortable having their paws touched from an early age. Other than that, you should brush their teeth at least thrice a week. This will prevent any tartar or bacterial buildup. Baths should only be given when needed.

IRISH WOLFHOUND ACCESSORIES

Since Irish Wolfhounds are infamous for rapidly eating, it’s highly recommended to get them a slow feeder. The Outward Hound Fun Feeder is an ideal option in this regard. Its swirl design will make mealtimes long and fun. Although, you should know the Wolfhound is intelligent enough to flip such a slow feeding bowl and gobble up the entire meal. So, proper obedience training will go a long way in ensuring a slow feeder actually does its job.