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The Irish Wolfhound is a breed of hound (a sighthound), bred to hunt. The name originates from its purpose rather than from its appearance: To hunt wolves. These dogs are the tallest breed of dog in the world.
Appearance: These dogs are the tallest breed, with a
swift pace and good sight. They have a rough coat (gray,
brindle, red, black, pure white, or fawn), a large
arrow-shaped head, and a long, muscular neck.
They average up to 86 cm (34 inches) at the withers, a fact
that sometimes is its biggest disadvantage when attracting
owners who have no concern for its special needs. As with all
breeds, the ideal and accepted measurements vary somewhat from
one standard to another, and there will always be individuals
whose size falls outside these standards.
However, generally breeders aim for a height averaging 85
to 90 centimeters (33 to 36 inches) in male dogs, 5 to 10
centimetres (2 to 4 inches) less for females. Acceptable
weight minimums range from 48 kg (106 lb) for females to (113)
for males.
Temperament: In temperament, they are considered
gentle and friendly, very calm in the house, enjoying long
sleeps but energetic when taken for walks. Despite their great
size and sometimes intimidating appearance, wolfhounds are
sensitive and should be corrected firmly but without anger.
They should be socialized from a young age so that they
have a chance to gather experience. While historically
Wolfhounds should show a strong guarding instinct, most modern
Irish Wolfhounds are not temperamentally suited to be a guard
dog.
Health: Wolfhounds should not receive additional
supplements when a good dog chow is used. It is no longer
generally accepted that they should be fed a large breed puppy
food until 18 months of age and then change to a large breed
adult food. Most breeders today recommend that they not be
supplemented in order to slow their rapid growth. They will
eventually reach the same height, but at a slower, and safer,
rate.
By the age of 8 months, the dogs appear adult, and many
owners start stressing them too much. Outstretched limbs and
irreparable damage are the result. Wolfhounds need at least 18
months to be ready for lure coursing, running as a sport, and
other strenuous activities.
Heart disease and bone cancer are the leading cause of
death and like all deep-chested dogs, gastric torsion (bloat)
is always a possibility. As a giant breed, wolfhounds have
significantly shorter life spans than the norm with an average
lifespan of 6-7 years.
History: The breed is very old, possibly from the
1st century BC or earlier, bred as war dogs by the ancient
Celts, who called them Cú Faoil. The Irish continued to breed
them for this purpose, as well as to guard their homes and
protect their stock. Regular references of Irish Wolfhounds
being used in dog fights are found in many historical sagas -
Cuchulain's favourite, Luath was slain by a southern chief's
hound, Phorp.
While many modern texts state Irish wolfhounds were used
for coursing deer, contemporary pre-revival accounts such as
Animated Nature (1796) by Oliver Goldsmith are explicit that
the original animal was a very poor coursing dog. Their
astonishing size, speed, and intelligence made them ideal
hunting animals for both wild boar and wolves, and many were
exported for this purpose.
They were perhaps too ideal, as the wolf is now extinct in
Ireland. The Irish Wolfhound has been recorded as being
exhibited in Ancient Rome to some excitement, and mention is
made that they so amazed and terrified the Romans that it was
seen fit to only transport them in cages. There exists stories
that in the arena, the original Wolfhound was the equal of a
lion.
During times of conflict with England, it was not uncommon
for Wolfhounds to be trained to take armored knights off of
their horses, thus allowing an infantry man to move in and
finish the kill if the Wolfhound has not done so already.
Due to a massive export into various countries as a gift
for royalty and a ban that allowed only royalty to own such a
dog, the breed almost vanished in the middle of the 19th
century. Captain Graham rebred the Irish Wolfhound with the
Deerhound, Great Dane, Borzoi and other breeds; this saved the
breed, but had the inevitable effect of altering its
appearance.
The ancient breed (often referred to as the Irish Wolfdogge
in contemporary accounts) was available in both a smooth and
rough coated variety. Descriptions of its appearance and
demeanor, as well as the method of its use place it closer to
the flock guardians in appearance than the modern breed. The
historical variety was famed for its loyalty, discernment,
grave nature and aggression. In terms of temperament the
modern breed has been greatly mellowed.
Miscellaneous: An Irish Wolfhound serves as the
regimental mascot to the Irish Guards in the United Kingdom
and accompanies the regiment in all of its parades.
The skulls of several Irish Wolfhounds were recovered in
excavations of the ruins of Emain Macha. These skulls are now
in the possession of the Royal Irish Academy. No
reconstruction appears to have been done to establish the
appearance of these progenitors of the breed.
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