Irish Wolfhound
Updated October 14, 2024
Irish Wolfhound
Updated October 14, 2024
Irish Wolfhounds are tall. Really tall. They need ample space because of their imposing size—otherwise, they're likely to bump into and break fragile items. They thrive in spacious homes with understanding pet parents familiar with the challenges of caring for extra-large dog breeds.
Affectionate, Loyal, Independent, Friendly
Male: 120 pounds and up
Female: 105 pounds and up
Male: 32 inches and up
Female: 30 inches and up
6 to 8 years
Gray, Brindle, Red, Black, White, Fawn
Have you ever imagined seeing eye-to-eye with your dog—literally? With the easy-going Irish Wolfhound, you’ll be as close to it as possible. This is the tallest breed of dog, growing to a minimum of 30 inches tall, giving you an extra good look at their adoring gaze. (Your days of cleaning the coffee table are over, too—Irish Wolfhounds are big enough to dust it with their tails.) With their significant stature comes an extra-large helping of affection, loyalty and independence. So go ahead and upgrade to that two-piece sectional sofa you’ve had your eye on—you and your Irish Wolfhound will both need some space to stretch out and recharge after a day of playing and hanging out with your bestie.
Irish Wolfhound Characteristics
Irish Wolfhound Appearance
Strong, powerful and elegant (a distinct trait of sighthounds, who hunt by sight and speed), the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all the dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Their size alone makes them look a little intimidating, but one gaze into their open, calm expression and you’ll quickly realize these gentle giants are lovers at heart.
- Ears
Irish Wolfhounds ears are small and shaped similarly to other sighthounds like Whippets or Greyhounds.
- Eyes
Their eyes are dark and often fairly round in shape.
- Nose
The nose of an Irish Wolfhound is dark, and they have a fairly long muzzle.
- Coat Length
Their coat is medium length and wiry.
- Coat Color
Irish Wolfhound coat colors include gray, brindle (faint tiger stripes), red, black, white and fawn.
- Tail
Their tails are long and curved.
Irish Wolfhound Temperament
If you’ve ever dreamed of being friends with Chewbacca, you’re in luck: Being BFFs with an Irish Wolfhound dog, the gentle giant of the canine world, might be the next best thing. These pups are kind, loving and as loyal to you as Chewy was to Han Solo. But despite their devotion, their sighthound instincts sometimes convince them that their agenda is more important than yours, like napping, counter surfing, or watching squirrels.
Trained Irish Wolfhounds can adapt to life with other household pets. Due to their hunting instinct, some may be less trustworthy around cats—it depends on the individual dog and their training. Irish Wolfhounds generally love interacting with children but are better suited for households with older children simply due to their size—your pup may accidentally knock a small child over while playing.
This calm breed is athletic and loves to run—but they can also be talented couch potatoes if you let them.
How to Care for a Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is a whole lot of dog—even Irish Wolfhound puppies are big compared to most other breeds. Their size impacts everything from diet to training, and pet parents should start training when they’re young while they’re still a manageable size. But don’t worry: Their grooming needs aren’t as outsized as their bodies, and they tend to be light shedders.
Grooming
Training
Diet
Exercise
Environment
Irish Wolfhound Health
Irish Wolfhounds have a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years, and there are several health issues to watch out for to keep your dog healthy. It’s also important to know that veterinary care for a dog of this size can be expensive. These gentle giants are worth the extra care, but if you do bring one home, keep an eye out for these concerns:
- Bloat: Irish Wolfhounds are prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus, also known as bloat, which often affects giant or deep-chested dog breeds. When bloat occurs, the dog’s stomach may twist, causing a life-threatening emergency that typically requires surgery to correct. Symptoms typically include a distended stomach, restlessness, and dry heaving or retching. Your vet may recommend a prophylactic gastropexy to tack the stomach to the body wall during spaying/neutering to hopefully prevent it from being able to twist and create a bloat later in life.
- Liver Shunts: This is an abnormal series of blood vessels that circumnavigate a dog’s liver and can cause stunted growth, poor muscle development, disorientation and seizures. There is no genetic screening test for liver shunts in dogs. Still, you can manage the condition with diet modifications, antibiotics, and medications.
- Bone Cancer: More formally known as osteosarcoma, bone cancer is common in Irish Wolfhounds. Treatment often includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
- >Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: This condition occurs when the joints don’t form properly, resulting in lameness, pain, and arthritis. Treatment options include joint supplements, pain medication, and, in severe cases, surgery.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): This potentially genetic heart condition causes the heart to enlarge and the walls to weaken and thin. Treatment is typically daily medication.
Irish Wolfhound History
When it comes to the Irish Wolfhound’s history, the name says it all. They’re hounds, hunted wolves and are from Ireland. But to fill in a few holes with specifics, the Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed, honored for centuries in Irish folklore. Their size and stature made them excellent accomplices on quests, battles and general adventuring.
During the 1400s, they became particularly notable as wolf hunters in Ireland. However, wolves were eradicated in the country by the 1700s. Subsequently, the population of Irish Wolfhounds diminished to low levels. The Irish Wolfhound breed was in danger of extinction. Thankfully, there was renewed interest in preserving the breed in the 1800s.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Irish Wolfhound breed in 1897, and the Irish Wolfhound Club of America was established in 1926. Irish Wolfhounds rank 74 on the AKC’s list of most popular dog breeds.
Want to add an Irish Wolfhound to your family? You can find a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website. On average, Irish Wolfhound puppies will cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 for a pup. But for that, you usually get a dog screened for health and temperament issues, and they might even come with pedigree papers. You can also contact Irish Wolfhound rescue organizations to adopt, keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.
FAQs
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Expert input provided by veterinarian Dr. Melanie Mercer, DVM and certified dog trainer Bree Reza, CPDT-KA, of 42 Walks Dog Training.
Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.
The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.