Irish Wolfhound Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming!

Irish Wolfhound Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming! The Irish wolfhound is a real gentle giant with intimidating size and a calm attitude that makes it a fantastic companion. This sight hound is about 36 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs more than 100 pounds, making it the tallest of the AKC-recognized dog breeds.

This breed, often known as the ‘Wolf dogs of Ireland’ or ‘the Great Hounds of Ireland,’ has a long and illustrious history as a hunter but is best recognized today for being a lovely family dog.

Related article: Golden Retriever Dog Breed Story at Dog Grooming!

Modern wolfhound:

The contemporary Irish wolfhound was developed by Captain George Augustus Graham (1833–1909) of Rednock House, Dursley, Gloucestershire. He remarked that he was unable to deal with the breed “in its original integrity”:

It is not pretended that we have the breed in its original form; at the same time, it is confidently believed that there are strains now existing that trace back to the original breed, more or less clearly; and it appears to be tolerably certain that our Deer hound is descended from that noble animal, and gives us a fair idea of what he was, though he was undoubtedly considerably smaller and weaker in size and power.

Captain G. A. Graham

Graham had acquired the belief, based on the writings of others, that a dog approximating the original wolfhound might be rebuilt by employing the largest and greatest specimens of the Scottish Deer hound and the Great Dane, two breeds he felt had descended from the wolfhound earlier. The Scottish Deer hound, the Great Dane, and Kathleen Pelham-Clinton, Duchess of Newcastle’s Borzoi “Korotai,” who had previously proven his wolf-hunting prowess in his native Russia, were all thrown into the mix. A “big shaggy dog,” likely a Tibetan Mastiff, was introduced to create an outbreed.

The Deerhound “Lufra” was mated to the legendary English Mastiff “Garnier’s Lion,” and their progeny “Marquis” entered wolfhound pedigrees through his granddaughter “Young Donagh.” “A single out cross of Tibetan Wolf Dog,” Graham said. For a long time, it was considered that this was a Tibetan Mastiff. A photograph of “Wolf,” on the other hand, depicts a bearded, long-coated dog—what is today known as a Tibetan kyi apso. Captain Graham formed the Irish Wolfhound Club and the Breed Standard of Points in 1885 with the help of other breeders to establish and agree on the ideal to which breeders should aim.

Both rugby codes have chosen the Wolfhound as an emblem. The Wolfhounds are the name of the national rugby league team, and the Irish Rugby Football Union, which administers rugby union, changed the name of the country’s A (second-level) national squad to the Ireland Wolfhounds in 2010. The Irish wolfhound has been one of the emblems used by tax authorities in both Ireland and Northern Ireland on their revenue stamps. The Irish Wolfhound is the breed of dog in the video game Skyrim that all canines in the main game are based on.

Irish Wolfhound History:

The Irish wolfhound has a long history, dating back to the early days of the British empire’s trading with the Middle East. The first mention of the breed is said to be from Roman Consul Quintus Aurelius, who described seven Irish hounds he received as a gift to the Roman populace as being objects of tremendous attention and astonishment.

The Irish wolfhound is a dog breed that originated in Ireland. These tall and lanky dogs stand head and shoulders above most other dog breeds in terms of stature, with little competition. While their sweet manner endeared them to their partners, their strong hunting instincts ensured their survival.

It is said that the breed was developed as a hunting dog. These massive dogs held Ireland’s natural wolf population in check—and finally hunted them to extinction. The wolfhound was also utilised by Irish nobles and landowners to hunt Irish elk (which is now extinct), as well as other wildlife like as pig.

While these canines certainly had Gaelic ancestors and played an important part in Ireland’s early history, it’s unclear what exactly contributed to the gene pool that gave rise to the Irish wolfhound breed. According to some historians, the biggest of Britain’s hounds were bred to Middle Eastern sight hounds, and the elegant limbs and carriage of the Irish wolfhounds seem to indicate to the greyhound as an early influencer in the breed.

In any event, the wolf dog was highly prized in early Irish society. In reality, a person’s social rank and position governed the amount of wolfhounds he or she may own. The hounds were prized assets of estate owners and royalty, and they were used to hunt and guard the land.

Nothing seems to be able to dispute the wolfhound’s dominance as a hunter, guardian, and friend. However, by the mid-nineteenth century, the breed had begun to dwindle and was on the verge of extinction. The extinction of Ireland’s native wolves and the enormous Irish elk reduced the demand for such a large-scale hunting partner.

One guy is frequently credited with saving the Irish wolfhound as we know it today. A British army commander named George Augustus Graham made a concerted attempt to identify and build a breeding programme that would secure the wolfhound’s survival and standardise the breed as we know it today. Graham’s efforts to standardise the wolf dog were guided by historical records of the breed found in artwork, reliefs, and other artefacts. Graham used out crosses with closely related Scottish deer hounds to help assure the breed’s future.

Graham’s efforts paid off, and the breed had a comeback. The wolfhound made its debut in a dog exhibition in Dublin in 1879. An Irish wolfhound breed club was formed a few years later, in 1885. Ireland’s native wolfhound had a brighter future with the establishment of a specialised club and the standardisation of the breed.

DNA analysis:

Although there has been some DNA sharing between the Irish Wolfhound and the Deer hound, Whippet, and Greyhound, genomic data shows that there has been considerable DNA sharing between the Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane. According to one author, “the Great Dane aspect is firmly emphasised too conspicuously before the twentieth century” in the Irish Wolfhound. The present Irish wolfhound breed was established by George Augustus Graham, who kept the ancient form’s look but not its genetic lineage.

How to Care Irish Wolfhound:

Although the Irish wolfhound is a gentle giant, he nevertheless needs a significant amount of time and effort. This breed’s greyhound-like profile indicates that they require frequent exercise and space to extend their legs.

Plan to exercise your wolfhound for at least an hour each day. Many make wonderful jogging or running companions (after their skeletal system has matured), but they also love a long walk around the block. A fenced yard should ideally be accessible to your IW so that he may stretch his legs and sprint for a short period of time. Remember that because this dog breed is a sight hound, the prey drive might kick in at any time, so only let your wolfhound run free in a confined location.

The Irish wolfhound is extremely quiet in the house when properly exercised. While the breed is prone to normal puppy antics for the first year or two of their lives, these dogs eventually settle into a dignified and modest home friend. In fact, some Irish wolfhound owners discover that they have to persuade their dogs into daily exercise since they may be such couch potatoes!

Wolfhounds are highly trainable and sensitive to their owners, making training a joy. However, don’t let up on your training or you’ll end up with a very enormous and domineering dog on your hands. For a balanced and amiable animal, make sure you inculcate clear obedience teachings in your hound from the time he is a puppy and socialise him effectively.

Irish wolfhounds make wonderful family dogs, despite their enormous size. When it comes to youngsters, they’re patient and gentle. However, because of their size, they should be kept away from little children.

These wolfhounds are terrible guard dogs, despite their frightening appearance. The breed is social and kind to visitors, despite their enormous size, which would certainly dissuade invaders! The IW, on the other hand, has a quiet strength and a profound persistence, and their love for their family will drive them to intervene if a threat is perceived.

Grooming your wolfhound is an easy process. Brushing the wiry coat once or twice a week will keep it in good shape, remove loose hair, and stimulate the skin. The IW, unlike several other dog breeds, does not lose its undercoat on a regular basis, eliminating seasonal shedding difficulties. The wolfhound’s coat can vary greatly in length and texture. Some dogs have a wiry coat with a shorter, sparse coat. Others have a thicker, woolier texture coat or longer, virtually silky fur.

Bathing your wolfhound on occasion is OK, and experienced IW owners will tell you that it softens the coat—though the texture change is only temporary. So go ahead and suds up your four-legged companion, then snuggle up to his velvety coat for as long as it lasts.

Your wolfhound will benefit from frequent teeth brushing and ear cleaning in addition to a regular brushing and the occasional wash. This dog breed doesn’t require the services of a professional groomer in most cases.

Health Issues:

The Irish wolfhound, like many other large breed canines, has a limited lifespan of just 6 to 7 years. While the breed is usually seen to be hearty and robust, it is noted for having the following health issues.

• Cancer

• Liver shunt

• Heart issues

• Anesthesia complications

• Epilepsy

• Pneumonia

• Hypothyroidism

• Von Willebrand disease

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus

Nutrition and Diet:

The Irish wolfhound is known to feed like a wolf. These large-breed dogs have a voracious appetite. However, it’s critical that you take efforts to reduce your risk of stomach dilatation, sometimes known as bloat. This dangerous condition has the potential to be fatal. Feeding your dog with a raised stand for the food bowls and smaller, more frequent meals may be the best option.