Irish Wolfhound Complete Breed Guide

Irish Wolfhounds are one of the most majestic and gentle breeds in the world — commanding in stature and equally impressive in warmth and affection. Deeply devoted to their families, they are calm, loving companions who thrive on human connection and bring a quiet, dignified presence to any home.

Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest of all dog breeds, with a history as noble as their appearance. Despite their impressive size, they are renowned for their gentle, easygoing temperament and their genuine affection for the people around them. As sighthounds, they have a natural instinct for tracking and pursuit, and they come alive when given the opportunity to run and explore in a safely enclosed space. Irish Wolfhounds are devoted family companions who form deep bonds with their owners and are known for being patient and kind with children. As with all giant breeds, their lifespan is shorter than average, which makes the time spent with them all the more meaningful — and their companionship all the more treasured.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

Irish Wolfhounds prefer a home with a safely fenced-in yard where they can run and play, but they need to live inside with their humans. They also need to be allowed on your furniture or be provided with a soft spot to sit, as it is detrimental to their health if forced to spend most of their time on hard surfaces. If they are raised around cats and other small dogs, Irish Wolfhounds can get along with them, but they shouldn’t play together outside. Irish Wolfhounds get along well with children, but they are so big that they aren’t always the best fit for toddlers.

Exercise & Activity

Irish Wolfhounds enjoy the chase and are excellent competitors in the doggie sport of lure coursing. They like long walks where they can explore their surroundings, but they especially appreciate an opportunity to run around in a safe, enclosed area. Irish Wolfhounds can be happy with varying amounts of exercise, but it’s important to make sure you give them enough to keep their weight in check.

Despite their fearsome sounding name, Irish Wolfhounds are not aggressive. In fact, they are gentle and affectionate toward their owners. But just because the Irish Wolfhound is not aggressive, doesn't mean they won’t take every opportunity to grab food.

Irish Wolfhounds have a shaggy, rough coat that should be brushed twice a week to remove tangles and any dead hair. They shed moderately throughout the year and are pretty easy to groom for being so huge.

The life expectancy of an Irish Wolfhound is 6-8 years. Irish Wolfhound can have several life-threatening medical conditions: Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) and Bloat -- GDV happens when the stomach fills up with food or gas, causing expansion and increased pressure. The stomach can then rotate, which causes inadequate blood supply to the spleen and stomach. If not treated quickly, shock, tissue damage, and even death can occur. Other medical conditions can include Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma), Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Consult your Veterinarian on how best to feed your Irish Wolfhound puppy. as it is advised they are not fed from elevated bowls to reduce the likelihood of GDV.

Medical References