Irish Wolfhound

Irish wolfhound will surprise anyone not only with its impressive size, but also with friendliness and openness. These are very intelligent, friendly dogs with a balanced psyche, fully focused on the owner. Surprisingly, sensitive wolfhounds are so attached to their master that they can get sick with him and even die in the event of his long absence. Therefore, since childhood, the wolfhound should be taught to communicate with a wide range of people. If a wolfhound grows with only one person, his attachment to him will be too strong.
Appearance
Irish Wolfhound – literally a huge dog, the majestic appearance of which is combined with a loyal and reverent attitude towards its owner. The height of the dogs at the withers reaches 79 cm, and the weight is 54 kg. This is the largest of the greyhounds breed.
The Irish wolfhound has a muscular, but at the same time elegant body build, a wide, developed chest, a long, strong back, muscular limbs. The neck is muscular, the head is elongated, the neck and head are carried high. Muzzle narrowed, the transition from the forehead to the nose is pronounced. Ears are small, drooping, tightened back. The tail is long, slightly curved at the end. The coat is hard, coarse, longer in the chin area and above the eyebrows. The color can be fawn, brindle, wheat and black.
Character
Despite the harsh appearance, the Irish wolfhounds are all kind and respectful. They never offend those who are weaker than them, they easily find common language with other pets, and in children they do not soul. In addition, they are very sensitive to the cry of a dog, they are very worried if the owner raises their voice to them, and they feel very uncomfortable when they become witnesses of a family quarrel. With a kindly-minded person, wolfhounds always communicate with great joy. These dogs suffer loneliness and are not suitable for keeping on chains.
Wolfhounds are smart, quickly grasp information and are easily trained.
They are responsible to the teams of the host and always try to meet his expectations. However, the education and training of representatives of this breed should always be only benevolent. In no case should punishment contain a brute physical force, and it must be replaced by approval and affection.
Yes, the Irish wolfhounds are large and strong, but they are not fighters and not evil guards. No matter how surprising this fact seemed, given the size of the dogs, but the Irish wolfhounds are, first of all, companions and ideal domestic dogs.
Health
Irish wolfhounds naturally have good health, but the life span of amazing dogs is small: as a rule, wolfhounds live only up to 10 years.
It may be noted that the breed is prone to diseases such as hip joint dysplasia, shoulder osteochondrosis, osteosarcoma, hypothyroidism, cataracts.
Care
The ideal place to keep a wolfhound is a spacious private home. Irish Wolfhound is not a dog that can be put on a chain. They are too sociable and sensitive, and deprivation of attention has a very negative impact on them.
In the care of wolfhounds pretty unpretentious. They need to periodically comb out wool, bathing dogs should be as needed, preferably no more than once every 3 months.
For aesthetic purposes, wolfhounds require trimming of the front of the neck, ears and head.
Story
Homeland of this ancient breed is Ireland. It is believed that the ancestors of the Irish wolfhounds lived on the British Isles since the Celtic times and for many years were used to hunt moose, wild boars and wolves. The harsh coat of dogs reliably protected them from cold and bad weather and allowed them to hunt for a long time in various localities.
Initially, Irish wolfhounds were bred as a hunting breed and, like their ancestors, were used to bait wolves. Over time, dogs with a fierce appearance, but sensitive heart became the best friends of man and excellent companions. From the 17th century, Irish wolfhounds were imported to many countries, today the whole world knows about amazing dogs, moreover, Irish wolfhounds serve in Buckingham Palace and participate in royal ceremonies.
There are many beautiful legends about these strongest, sensitive dogs. In one of them it is told that once upon a time a beautiful princess was turned into a wolfhound, rejecting the love of a druid. The princess did not manage to break the spell, but from her came amazing dogs with a harsh appearance, royal nobility and almost human intelligence. And that is how we know wolfhounds today.