Irish Wolfhound

• Bathing: Bathe your Irish Wolfhound every four to six weeks. Stock up on dog shampoo—you’ll need to use a lot to lather the fur on their supersized build. 
• Brushing: Brush your pup at least weekly so their coats don’t get matted. Unlike many double-coated breeds, Irish Wolfhounds don’t blow their coats (that is, shed heavily) during any particular season. Instead, they shed lightly all year round.  
  • A rake brush will keep their hair from getting tangled; follow up with a pin brush afterward.  
• Dental care: Brushing your dog’s teeth every day is the best way to prevent dental disease. Begin brushing your Irish Wolfhound puppy’s teeth when they’re young so they get used to the routine. Along with at-home brushing, get a professional cleaning at the vet once a year.  
• Nail care: Trim their nails every four to six weeks. 

When it comes to training Irish Wolfhounds, start early. They aren’t always easy to train, but that’s not because they lack intelligence (they very smart dogs!). Rather, those big brains might make them become bored of repeating cues.   

The best way to convince them to follow your lead is through positive reinforcement—reward their good behavior with treats, toys, and praise. 

Irish Wolfhounds are very bright, but without consistent obedience training, their independence may win over their intelligence and get them into mischief. Cues like sit, stay, and come are good places to start, along with teaching them how to walk nicely on a leash.  

You’ll also want to socialize your Irish Wolfhound puppy when they’re young. Get them out into the world meeting new people and doing new things as early as your vet says it’s OK. One way to prioritize socialization is enrolling your extra-large puppy in puppy school. They’ll learn to play nicely with other dogs and meet new people.  

If you adopt an Irish Wolfhound when they’re older, ask your vet for the best way to go about acclimating them to their new life. Either way, keep initial public outings short, frequent, and positive so your Irish Wolfhound has good associations with the outside world.  

Irish Wolfhounds typically do well on high-quality commercial dog food. Choose a formula that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). 

Proper nutrition is essential for Irish Wolfhound puppies when they are growing, and they’ll need puppy food designed for large breeds. Talk to your vet about when to switch from puppy food to adult food, since Irish Wolfhound puppies grow until they’re around 2 years old. 

If you decide to supplement beyond a balanced diet, chat with your vet first. While Irish Wolfhounds can benefit from some supplements, too much of certain nutrients (like calcium or fish oil) may damage their growing bones and joints.  

Adult Irish Wolfhounds can quickly become overweight, which can stress their joints and lead to heart issues. Always talk with your veterinarian when making decisions about your Irish Wolfhound’s diet. They’re in the best position to help you pick the right food for your individual dog.  

Remember that treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. 

And because Irish Wolfhounds are susceptible to a life-threatening condition that can be triggered during mealtimes (more on that below), take these precautions when feeding your dog: 

• Offer food in a slow feeder bowl, snuffle mat, or puzzle toy to slow down your dog’s gulping. 
• Avoid using elevated food bowls. 
• Don’t let your pup exercise for an hour before or after eating. 
• Feed your dog scheduled meals at least twice a day instead of one big meal. 

With a stride that could be 10 feet, Irish Wolfhounds need plenty of opportunities to stretch those legs. An hour or two of daily exercise is a nonnegotiable.  

This breed’s need for speed can top out at 30 miles an hour—yep, they’re faster than you’re typically allowed to drive in a suburban neighborhood. But their galloping ways and occasional “zoomies” are more for short jaunts rather than long distances. Shorter walks of one to two miles are ideal for daily exercise. 

Exercise is always important, but growing Irish Wolfhound puppies need special consideration. Avoid jogging with them until they’re at least 16 months old; giant dog breeds are prone to joint issues, and strenuous exercise before their bodies are fully developed can damage their joints.  

Strive for a balanced approach: Allow Irish Wolfhound puppies to play on their terms, but make sure they don’t overdo it. 

If you have a tiny home or apartment, an Irish Wolfhound might not be your perfect match.  

These long-limbed pups do best with ample space and a fenced yard with room to run like the wind when the mood strikes. They’ll also appreciate an extra-large couch or orthopedic dog bed, as they prefer to punctuate their days with naps when they’re not out playing (it’s a solid strategy!). 

If you’re an active, experienced pet parent who also enjoys frequent walks, an Irish Wolfhound is an ideal companion—though you may have trouble matching them stride for stride. (It’s OK—let them show off a bit!)  

Because Irish Wolfhounds are so tall, they may not be the best choice for homes with young kids. Your Irish Wolfhound might accidentally play too hard or bump them with a huge paw. That said, their friendly personality is a good fit for older children, and they can also be very good with other dogs, if they’re socialized.  

Homes with cats or other small pets might not be ideal, since all sight hounds tend to have a high prey drive; they might chase smaller animals out of instinct.