Is an Irish Wolfhound a good family dog?

Affectionately known as a gentle giant due to their sweet temperament, an Irish Wolfhound makes a great family pet. They are great with children as well as other pets if socialised from a young age. They love to snuggle and may stretch out across your feet or along the couch so be prepared to share your space.

What to know before getting an Irish Wolfhound?

They are patient and caring with children and typically get along well with cats and dogs, although they may chase smaller, fleeing animals. Irish Wolfhounds are easy to train and do best with positive reinforcement, but in their first year they can be clumsy and slow to mature.

How often should you walk an Irish Wolfhound?

1-2 walks a day
Irish Wolfhounds are typically very calm and happy when inside. They’ll need 1-2 walks a day to keep them fit and healthy, although play time out in the garden would be a valid alternative.

Are Irish Wolfhounds good for first time owners?

Irish Wolfhounds are gentle giants, they are friendly and known to be very good with children. They aren’t advised for first time owners because they are such a large hound. They need proper training from a young age so are more suited to people with experience with large dogs.

Why do wolfhounds howl?

In order to effectively communicate during hunts, Irish Wolfhounds howl in order to announce their position and discover the position of their peers. Dogs in general tend to howl as a means of communicating over long distance. Irish Wolfhounds, however, relied on howling for more than just hunting.

What kind of dog is an Irish Wolfhound?

Irish Wolfhound is a very old breed of dog, said to be as old as 7000 BC, the time when they “had been brought to Ireland”. The historical motto of the Irish wolfhounds describes it as “gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked”. Precisely, this breed of hounds is more than just watchdogs.

What kind of health problems do Irish Wolfhounds have?

Irish wolfhounds are prone to quite many diseases like hip dysplasia, bloat, PRA, cardiomyopathy, bone cancer, Von Willebrands and osteosarcoma. However, gastric torsion alone is one of the major problems with this breed.

How long does a wolfhound puppy live?

Wolfhound puppyhood lasts a year or more, and a Wolfhound “puppy” can weigh about 100 lbs. The Irish Wolfhound was coveted for his hunting prowess, particularly in pursuit of the wolf and the gigantic Irish elk.