Irish Wolfhound Info, a Warrior Dog Among Soldiers How This Breed Aided Wartime Soldiers

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Is The Irish Wolfhound Right For You?

  • 1 Irish Wolfhounds are considered one of the most loving and loyal breeds.
  • 2 Irish Wolfhounds love to run and should live somewhere with lots of space.
  • 3 Irish Wolfhounds socialize well with other breeds.

HISTORY

The Irish Wolfhound is one of the oldest breeds of dogs around, possibly dating some 9,000 years back. Historically referred to as a Cu (translated as hound, war dog, or wolf dog), they were typically used as war dogs, dragging mounted warriors off their horses. The Irish Wolfhound almost disappeared, and if it wasn’t for the breeding efforts of Captain George Graham in 1879, they may have been lost forever.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Extra Large

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    Lifespan

    Around 6-8 years

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    Hair Length

    Medium

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    Male Height

    33-36 inches (85-90 cm)

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    Male Weight

    90-120 pounds

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    Female Height

    31-32 inches (75-80 cm)

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    Female Weight

    105-150 pounds

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    Litter Size

    3 to 4 puppies

Personality

Despite their massive stature, the Irish Wolfhound ranks among some of the kindest, most lovable, and loyal dogs. They are almost always even-tempered and are even nice to intruders, making them a pretty terrible watch or guard dog, which is surprising given their size. They require a fair amount of exercise, but don’t over-exert them, especially when they are young as the exercise may be a strain because of how rapidly they are growing. Also, it is best to socialize them early, before they get too big. For example, teach them "heel" before it is too late and they end up dragging you around the neighborhood every time you go for a walk. .

Color

The colors of the Irish Wolfhound may vary from grey, wheaten, brindle, red, black, pure white, brown, or fawn, although grey is the most common color.

Health Concerns

The Irish Wolfhound is vulnerable to:

Appearance

The Irish Wolfhound is one of the largest breeds on the planet, often reaching above seven feet tall when standing on their hind legs. They have curly and coarse fur, a large head, a muscular neck, and a pulled in abdomen. They also have huge, round paws with curved toes.

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