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Irish Wolfhound Information
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The Irish Wolfhound's shape is similar to the Greyhound, larger than the Mastiff and can track like a spaniel. They were loved for their great hunting skills, mainly their pursuit of wolf and giant Irish Elk that stood six feet tall at the shoulders. When those animals disappeared from Ireland, the Irish Wolfhound nearly became extinct as well. It was at that point that a Scot in the British Army gathered the remaining dogs and began restoring the breed. That work began in 1862, and 23 years later the first breed standard was set.
Due tot he great size and amount of exercise needed for the Irish Wolfhound, this is not a breed that should be owned by just anyone. They should always have access to a fenced in yard that is large enough to accommodate the galloping nature of the Irish Wolfhound.
The Irish Wolfhound is very alert, however not suspicious or aggressive, which usually makes them unsuitable as guard dogs. They are more likely to bark at the moon than strange noises or people.
Irish Wolfhounds do wonderful with children, however with their size you must realize that a small child could get hurt just by the Irish Wolfhound walking by and accidentally knocking them down. An Irish Wolfhound weighs around 100 pounds when only six months old and are at times a bit clumsy. As an adult, males will be 32 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 120 pounds, females 30 inches tall and weigh 105 pounds.
The Irish Wolfhound coat is very rough and wiry. Coloring can be gray, brindle, red, black, white and fawn.
Irish Wolfhound's do very well with training and housebreaking is usually very quick as well. Crate training will help speed housebreaking as well. They should never be kept in a crate for long periods of time as being crated will cause problems with muscles, joints, and encourage the formation of Bursas. Bursas are fluid filled swellings on the elbows and hocks. This happens when their joints continue being in contact with hard surfaces, so your Irish Wolfhound should always have plenty of soft bedding to lay on.
Health concerns in the breed include heart disease, bloat, Hip Dysplasia and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
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