Irish Wolfhound Dog
The Irish Wolfhound, the tallest dog breed in the world, is known for being a gentle giant. Once fearless game hunters, Wolfhounds have adapted to family life and are the most serene, loving, and loyal companions. As easy-to-train dogs, they’re perfect for pet owners with enough room to accommodate their size and big, affectionate personality.
Quick Facts about Irish Wolfhound
| Size | The Irish Wolfhound size is giant (41-82 kg and over 76cm tall) |
| Types | Irish Wolfhounds can come in various colours, including grey, white, brindle, red, black or fawn |
| Lifespan | The lifespan of an Irish Wolfhound is 6-8 years |
| Temperament | A gentle giant who is dignified and loyal and thrives on human companionship and affection |
| Suitable | As a large dog, they need room to move, so they are ideal for family homes with large backyards |
| Health | Irish Wolfhound dogs are generally healthy but prone to Elbow or Hip Dysplasia and Bloat |
*Petsure Data 2024
Trainability - Are Irish Wolfhounds Easy to Train?
Irish Wolfhounds are very intelligent dogs, making them easy to train and fast learners. Positive reinforcement training using treats, praise and affection should start early, along with socialisation with children and other animals. Irish Wolfhound puppies can take up to 18 months to mature, so training and interactive play during this time is essential to prevent unwanted destructive behaviour (or injury) that may occur from boredom. You will need to provide them with sufficient play time and may consider puppy training classes, which can help you with training methods and aid your puppy’s socialisation. Irish wolfhounds crave human attention, and their sensitivity can make them excellent therapy dogs.
Grooming Requirements - Keeping Your Irish Wolfhound Looking Great
Irish Wolfhounds are known for their dignified, noble appearance, with a long, double coat that’s wiry on the outer layer and a soft undercoat. Irish Wolfhounds do shed throughout the year, but it’s a moderate amount. Irish Wolfhounds should be brushed at least once weekly to remove dirt and loose hair, keep them looking their best, and prevent their wiry coats from matting. If your Irish Wolfhound has found something nasty to roll in or gets smelly, you must bathe them. If you don’t have a bath big enough at home, you may consider using a professional groomer. A groomer or your vet can also help you trim your dog’s nails to prevent issues.
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Common Health Complaints – Keeping Your Irish Wolfhound Healthy
With responsible breeding practices, an Irish Wolfhound dog is generally considered healthy. However, it may be prone to certain genetic or common conditions that can arise at any time. That’s why choosing a reputable breeder is vital to help you keep your beloved Irish Wolfhound as healthy as possible.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat: GDV is a severe form of bloat that Irish Wolfhounds can experience due to their deep chest and need to be fed from an elevated bowl. When this occurs, their stomach fills with food or gas, expanding under pressure and possibly rotating. If you notice your dog vomiting or excessively drooling, having a swollen abdomen or collapsing after eating, you’ll need an immediate, life-saving vet visit.
- Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer): Unfortunately, the Irish Wolfhound breed is genetically predisposed to Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). The first signs are your dog limping or being unable to put any pressure on their legs. Your vet will take an X-ray to diagnose this disease. If diagnosed, your Irish Wolfhound will be given pain relief and chemotherapy. Surgery is needed to remove the tumour (and stop it spreading), which may include amputation of the affected limb.
- Hip Dysplasia: Due to their large size, Irish Wolfhounds are prone to Hip Dysplasia, a condition where the thigh bone (femur) doesn’t fit correctly into the hip socket, causing osteoarthritis, pain, and difficulty walking. Although surgery is needed in severe cases, most are managed by a balanced diet and joint supplements recommended by your vet.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia can occur when your Irish Wolfhound’s elbow joint develops abnormally. It can also happen due to trauma during the growth years, so preventing them from climbing stairs or jumping off objects is recommended. Most cases of Elbow Dysplasia require a visit to your vet for diagnosis and surgery.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): PRA is a common, hereditary condition that causes your dog’s retina to deteriorate over time, slowly leading to blindness. If you notice your giant Irish Wolfhound bumping into things more than usual or refusing to go outside at night, it may be a sign that you need to get their eyes checked by your vet. Although PRA is not curable, your dog can lead a happy life at home with your guidance, patience and understanding.
- Liver Shunt: Your Irish Wolfhound may be born with (or develop) a condition known as a liver (or portosystemic or hepatic) shunt. When this occurs, blood can’t be filtered by your puppy’s liver, causing a build-up of toxins. A blood test at 9 weeks of age can detect this condition, so your breeder should be able to let you know if they’re suffering from it. Medical and surgical treatments are available after a veterinary diagnosis.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): Irish Wolfhounds are prone to developing heart disease caused by DCM. This occurs when their heart muscle is thin and can’t contract normally, causing the heart to work harder and enlarge. A vet visit is necessary if you notice any symptoms like weakness, weight loss, collapsing or difficulty breathing. Although there is no cure, your vet can advise on the best diet and prescribe medication.
- Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy: With this condition, cartilaginous materials block blood vessels that supply the spinal cord of your Irish Wolfhound. This occurs suddenly during activity, usually between 3 and 6 years of age, causing partial or complete paralysis of the hind legs. Your vet will advise you on the severity of the condition. If no improvement is predicted, euthanasia is sadly the best course of action to prevent your beloved pet from suffering.
- Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD): OCD is an orthopedic condition in which the cartilage in the joints doesn’t grow correctly. It causes the joints to become stiff and painful, and your dog may not be able to bend its elbows. It’s recommended that you ask your vet for dietary advice for your Irish Wolfhound puppy, as this condition often occurs when they’re fed too much puppy food that’s too high in protein.
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Exercise Requirements - Do Irish Wolfhounds Need a Lot of Exercise?
Irish Wolfhound puppies need moderate exercise to prevent injury as they grow. A short walk is required until 6 months, stretching to 20 minutes by 15 months. After this age, Irish Wolfhounds will need at least 1 hour of exercise each day to keep them mentally stimulated and physically healthy. They’ll enjoy walks, off-leash running (in a safe, secure area so they don’t take off), and agility training, provided they’re not made to jump. Despite their large size, they only require moderate amounts of exercise. However, it’s essential that you create a routine of play and walks to stop your Irish Wolfhound from becoming a couch potato.
Intelligence - Are Irish Wolfhounds Smart?
The Irish Wolfhound dog breed is known for its high intelligence levels. They’re independent thinkers, great at problem-solving, and enjoy puzzle toys that reward them with treats. Their intelligence makes them easy to train. However, their laid-back nature means training sessions should be kept short but often to keep them engaged. Irish Wolfhounds are quite sensitive and will pick up on human emotions, making them easy to train as therapy dogs. Their intelligence, patience, kindness and eagerness to please make them excellent family pets for those with the time and space.
Family Friendly- Are Irish Wolfhounds Friendly?
The Irish Wolfhound’s temperament is so calm, easy-going, and affectionate that it makes a great family pet. Thriving on human companionship, it prefers to have its family home with it rather than being left alone for long periods. You’ll find that your Irish Wolfhound will form strong bonds with your family and be very protective. This breed is gentle and patient with children and other pets. However, early socialisation and close supervision are recommended because they tend to chase things smaller than them or may accidentally knock over small children.
Indoor/outdoor? - Ideal Living Conditions
Despite being a large dog, an Irish Wolfhound will be very calm indoors and will pick up your house rules when trained from an early age. Preferring the cooler weather, your Irish Wolfhound must be kept inside in a cool environment during warmer months. One of their favourite places is sprawled out on a cool timber or tiled floor, looking like a rug! It’s also best that your house doesn’t have stairs as this can damage their joints. As they need room to stretch, they’ll enjoy a run around a backyard, so having the space they need should be considered before you buy an Irish Wolfhound puppy. Your fence must be tall and secure to prevent them from jumping over to chase other animals.
Responsible Breeding
When buying an Irish Wolfhound puppy, it’s best to source an ethical breeder who follows responsible breeding protocols. An ethical breeder cares about the health of their breeding stock and litter and provides a nurturing environment for both the parents and the puppies. They’ll have completed genetic screening of the parents to ensure your puppy is as healthy as possible or be able to tell you about potential future health issues. You’ll find a responsible breeder will be able to answer your questions about owning an Irish Wolfhound, provide paperwork, vaccinate your puppy, and start socialising them to adjust to going home with you. A little research at the start will avoid the potential heartbreak of buying an unhealthy Irish Wolfhound puppy.
Contact PIA for Pet Insurance for your Irish Wolfhound
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their Rottweilers. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
Pet Insurance Australia policies entered into for the first time prior to 8 May 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted, distributed and arranged by PetSure’s Authorised Representative (AR) Pet Insurance Australia Pty Ltd ABN 85 113 507 850, AR 326233 (PIA). Pet Insurance Australia policies entered into for the first time on or after 8 May 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted, distributed and arranged by PetSure’s AR, PIA. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at petinsuranceaustralia.com.au.
