Irish Wolfhound

With an awe-inspiring presence, these majestic Irish Wolfhounds are among the tallest of all modern breeds, possessing power and strength to hunt down even large prey. Bred by Celts for centuries, it witnessed its own near extinction in the 17th century due to their successful extermination of wild wolves throughout Ireland and parts of Europe.

Although this breed may seem intimidating, its disposition is actually tranquil and mild. Its ancestors were named for their historic role in defending Celts against Romans and Greeks in battle; however, beneath its bushy eyebrows are a pair of eyes that give away the dog’s intelligent personality!

Despite their intimidating presence, Wolfhounds are actually incredibly non-aggressive and welcoming to strangers. They live by the motto “gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked,” meaning they will fiercely protect the ones they love—especially children—when necessary. Wolfhounds crave human companionship and joyfully welcome anyone into their homes!

The Irish Wolfhound looks as if it walked right out of a medieval painting and, although its name evokes ferocity, this majestic breed is actually one of the gentlest creatures you can find. With an average weight between 105 to 150 pounds, the Irish Wolfhound demands weekly grooming and sheds moderately – two characteristics that must be taken into consideration before deciding whether or not it’s the best choice for your family. Despite having numerous remarkable traits, keep in mind their heartbreakingly short lifespan should also play a role in your decision-making process.

Before you consider a giant breed, ask yourself if your home is ready for it. These puppies may only weigh 20 pounds initially, yet can quickly rise to as much as 150 pounds—sometimes even more! It’s true that the size captivates people, however comes with an unfortunate tradeoff of a drastically reduced life expectancy from 6-10 years. Without accessible stairs to help them up and down in case they become incapacitated — think twice before taking on this commitment.

Another consideration when owning a Wolfhound is their size: they can easily help themselves to any food within reach, even if it’s off the kitchen table! On top of that, having a large breed comes with additional expenses. Their food costs as well as vet visits and boarding rates are all more expensive than those for smaller breeds. If you’re undeterred by these factors though, an Irish Wolfhound might just be your perfect canine companion!

If you seek a loyal and affectionate companion for your home, the Irish Wolfhound should be at the top of your list – just make sure that you have enough space! He will need to stretch out comfortably on cushioned areas as his large bony body can develop calluses if he’s forced to lie on hard surfaces. Additionally, having plenty of room in an enclosed area where he can roam safely is essential. Finally, keep in mind that this gentle giant may steal some furniture too!

Irish Wolfhound puppies are known to wreak havoc when left unchecked, so if you come home and find your couch in tatters don’t despair – it’s not their fault! To keep your pup from trashing the house, set up a safe space for them where nothing can be damaged. However, try to limit time spent alone in crates as this has been proven to have an adverse effect on their growth and development.