Irish Wolfhound
Also known as Lévrier Irlandais
- Height at the withers
- 76 to 86 cm
- Weight
- 48 to 68 kg
- Life expectancy
- 6 to 8 years
- Daily activity
- 60 minutes
- Origin
- Ireland
- FCI group
- 10 · Sighthounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- a calm, mostly stay-at-home life
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a home with cats
- intense heat: be careful in summer
- off-leash walks: strong prey drive and unreliable recall
Overview
A giant sighthound with an imposing presence and a dignified nature, the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all dog breeds. Known for its harsh, wiry coat and its gentle-giant temperament, this ancient breed impresses with its nobility.
History and origins
An ancient breed from Ireland, originally used in war and to hunt wolves and the great Irish deer. It had nearly died out by the 1860s but was revived by Captain George Augustus Graham, who standardized the breed.
Health
Life expectancy is 6 to 8 years, and the breed is fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Osteosarcoma
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus
- Portosystemic shunt
- Pneumonia and rhinitis
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, wiry coat. Moderate shedding, low coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Calm, 2 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- High, 4 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very quiet, 1 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Fragile, 1 out of 5
In our lists
Irish Wolfhound FAQ
How big does the Irish Wolfhound get?
The Irish Wolfhound stands 76 to 86 cm at the withers and weighs 48 to 68 kg. It is a giant dog.
Does the Irish Wolfhound shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs little care.
Can the Irish Wolfhound live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Irish Wolfhound need each day?
Allow about 60 minutes of activity a day: it is a calm dog.
Is the Irish Wolfhound good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Irish Wolfhound live?
Life expectancy is 6 to 8 years, and the breed is fragile. The main health problems to watch for are dilated cardiomyopathy and osteosarcoma.
