Irish Wolfhound

Guía completa sobre el Lobero irlandés, una de las razas de perros de mayor tamaño en el mundo. En este artículo encontrarás todo lo que necesitas saber sobre los hermosos lebreles irlandeses. كيفية اللعب في bet365 Sus características, la historia de la raza, su temperamento, usos, posibles enfermedades, cuidados generales y mucho más.

History of the Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound, also known as The Great Wolf Hunter, Irish Wolfhound or Irish Wolfhound, is a very ancient breed of dog that comes from Ireland. It is believed that these dogs date from the year 7000 BC since remains found dating from those years have very great similarities with the current Wolfhound. In turn, documents have also been found detailing the presence of large “wolf dogs” in Ireland more than two thousand years ago. There are writings that also mention that this dog in medieval times was only the patrimony of the nobles and had access to them depending on their social stratum and according to this was the number of Loberos they could have.

The Irish Wolfhound is known since the year 395, they descend from the Sighthounds that were used by the Celts of Ireland to hunt wolves, deer, elk, wild boar and other prey, always large. Later the Romans imported this animal and began to use it for similar purposes in their empire. In addition to being used for hunting large animals, these pets have also served as war dogs. It is said that they were used to pull warriors from their horses and chariots in the confrontations that took place on the battlefields.

From extinction to club recognition

At the end of the 18th century the Irish Wolfhound also suffered from the hunger problems of Ireland, this added to the disappearance of the wolves that this region faced almost caused the extinction of the animal. But thanks to a group of experts, fans of the breed and breeders of these Irish Sighthounds, several copies of the breed were preserved and these giant dogs were prevented from disappearing.

In mid-1862, George A. Graham, a Scottish Captain in the British Army made several crosses between German Bulldogs or Great Danes, Scottish sighthound and Scottish Horsham, dogs that derive from the Irish Wolfhound very similar in appearance although much smaller, to reinforce the few remaining copies of the Irish Wolfhound, that is how he managed to save the breed and prevent its extinction. It was also Captain Graham who founded the first club of this breed in 1885. His first recognition by the British Kennel Club came only in 1925.

Historical anecdotes about the Irish Wolfhound

They say that in medieval times, depending on the functions that each person performed, was the number of dogs of this breed that they could have. For example, a writer considered noble but belonging to the lower levels of the nobility, could access the possession of two copies of Irish Wolfhounds. On the other hand, a head of the army could surpass more than 100 copies of this breed due to his great recognition within the nobility. It is said that there were army chiefs who had up to 500 copies of this breed in Great Britain.

Another well-known but sad story related to these dogs relates the case of an Irishman who was given as a gift by the prince of England to his son in 1210. This Wolfhound was found one day completely covered in blood and the king supposing that he had injured gravity to his son killed the animal immediately. What had really happened is that the Irish Wolfhound had saved the king's son from the attack of a ferocious wolf and from there came the blood that covered him completely. To this day there is a monument in Wales built in honor of the value of this animal named Gelert.

There are many stories that revolve around these specimens, there is a well-known one, although also very fanciful, that relates that a spell turned the princess of Ireland into a dog. The princess's nephew had a wizard break this spell, but before this took place the princess, still turned into a dog, gave birth to two Irish puppies, who were said to have been the forerunners of the breed. It is based on this legend that this breed of dogs is awarded great intelligence. In 1902 the Wolfhound was appointed as the official dog of the Irish Guard, a role that continues to this day.

Physical characteristics of the Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a breed of dog that corresponds to group 10 of the FCI classification, Sighthounds, section 2, Wire-haired sighthounds. It is also considered, according to the breed classification by size, a dog corresponding to the giant breeds. Next we will detail the main physical characteristics or aspects of this enormous canine breed.

Irish Wolfhound Body

Imposing in appearance due to its great corpulence, the Irish Wolfhound has great similarities with the Scottish hound, aunque los loberos tienden a ser más pesados y sólidos. El tronco de los loberos es largo, al igual que la espalda. Presentan lomos arqueados y una cola larga con una pequeña curvatura hacia arriba. Su vientre es bien recogido y poseen un pecho muy profundo y amplio. Las costillas están bien redondeadas e inclinadas hacia atrás. Los hombros del Irish Wolfhound son musculosos y descendentes, tienen patas delanteras de huesos pesados y presentan codos bien insertados, nunca vueltos demasiado hacia afuera o hacia adentro. افضل موقع مراهنات عربي Muslos largos y musculosos, buenas articulaciones en la babilla y pies rectos y redondeados, moderadamente largos y con dedos compactos y bien arqueados. El cuello es enjuto, largo, fuerte y bien arqueado.

Head of the Irish Wolfhound

The head of the Irish Wolfhound is long, flat and held high. The muzzle is slightly pointed and its ears are small and turned back, the ears are known as a rose-shaped ear. It is desirable that the bite be in the form of a scissors, although there are also specimens of Irish Wolfhound that have a pincer-shaped bite.

Irish Greyhound size

The height or size of the Irish Greyhound is at least 79 centimeters for the male, although it is preferred that the measurements of the specimens are between 81 centimeters and 86 centimeters. In the female, the minimum size is 71 centimeters and the ideal size for these specimens is between 73 centimeters and 78 centimeters.

How much does an Irish Wolfhound weigh?

The Irish Wolfhound has a high weight, something easy to deduce from the size of this animal. The minimum weight for male Irish Wolfhounds is 54.4 kilograms and the ideal is between 56 kilograms and 59 kilograms. Females weigh at least 40.5 kilograms and the ideal weight ranges from 42 kilograms to 45 kilograms.

labrador irlandes

Coat and colors in an Irish Greyhound

The coat of the Irish sighthound is hard and rough in the areas of the body, the legs and the head. Above their eyes and on the lower jaw they have a longer coat than on the rest of the body and due to this length they have a messy or disheveled appearance in those areas.

Los colores aceptados son el gris, el leonado, el rojo, el negro, el cervato y el blanco puro. كيف تفوز في روليت El gris es el color más común y que se repite en la mayor parte de los ejemplares. También son aceptados colores como el amarillo, aunque son poco frecuentes de ver. Independientemente del color del manto del lobero irlandés, los ojos siempre serán oscuros, la trufa será negra y los labios y bordes de los párpados también serán negros.

Irish Wolfhound temperament

The temperament of the Irish Wolfhound is something that we could guess even if we did not know anything about this breed. Just by looking at them, their eyes convey calm and calm despite their enormous size. Below we will detail the character and behavior of the specimens of this breed in order to perfectly describe their temperament.

Character of the Irish Wolfhound

Irish wolves are calm, friendly and personable dogs. We will never see a wolfhound that is aggressive. They are also prudent and very loyal both to their masters and to the challenge of their family. Flexible and not very stubborn, they are dogs that are always subservient to their close friends. Adult specimens are usually very quiet, both inside and outside the home and are not loud at all, their low barking will practically not be heard unless a special case arises. Although their immense size and appearance may suggest just the opposite, Irish sighthounds are not dogs that will do a good job as guard or defense dogs today. It contradicts the origins of the breed where they were used as battle dogs, but it is a characteristic that the breed has been losing over the years. Sometimes they bark, but only if they sense danger. Let's not expect them to act too much because it is not in their nature. They love and enjoy the company of their family and their masters, we must prevent them from sleeping in kennels. It is recommended that we integrate it into the family.

They are not recommended for life in a small apartment or home only because of their large size. Being so large, they are not suitable for many families since a large space is needed both inside and outside for the animal. Despite the above, those who have the possibility of adopting an Irish will find one of the best companies.

Behavior of Irish sighthounds

He gets along very well with children and does not usually have problems with other dogs, although he may intimidate them, especially as an adult due to his enormous size. The Irish Wolfhound has a keen hunting instinct, so if it comes into contact with cats and other small pets it must be carefully supervised by its owner from the time they are small; when you have gotten used to the company of these animals there will be no problem. He likes to be around people and welcomes both everyday visits and those he sees for the first time.

Irish Wolfhound Health

If you have an Irish Wolfhound it is necessary that you read the following possible diseases that a specimen of this breed may have. With a minimum knowledge of the symptoms and the precautions to take, we can prevent our best friend from going through delicate moments.

Life expectancy of an Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound has a shorter life expectancy than most canine breeds. The estimated average is around 7 years old although there have been cases of breeders who have had 8 and 9 year old Irish. The longest known case has exceeded 11 years.

Possible diseases of an Irish Wolfhound

This breed is prone to various diseases. Among the most frequent we find hip dysplasia, frequent mainly due to the size of said animal. This disease mainly affects large dogs. It is a bone disease that is hereditary and can appear after 4 months of life of the animal. It causes severe pain and even lameness in the Irish Wolfhound.

Two other diseases to which the Wolf Hunter is prone and attack this animal in a very aggressive way are: Bone cancer and various heart problems such as cardiomyopathy.

They are usually prone to various disorders and diseases in the liver and eyesight. It is important to have regular check-ups to be able to detect these problems early and thus guarantee timely treatment. In terms of sight, what is most common in this breed is the progressive atrophy of the retina.

Other diseases that can occur in the Irish Wolfhound are Von Willebrand's disease, which leads to blood clotting problems and gastric torsion.

Careful breeding programs have been implemented which have made many of these disorders relatively rare in this breed.

General care for Irish Wolfhounds

In this section we will focus on explaining the main details about how to feed, train, maintain correct hygiene, exercise and brush our Irish Wolfhounds.

Irish Wolfhound Training

The Irish Greyhound is a relatively easy dog to train, but requires a tolerant owner with its character. As we have already mentioned, it is somewhat stubborn and requires that they be treated with affection and firmness, a lot of clarity and understanding so that they quickly understand what is ordered. As a puppy, he can be somewhat insecure, which means that he will have to be encouraged to gain self-confidence by setting a good example and rewarding him.

Good socialization in this breed and good experiences at this stage is very important. While her character will help us a lot, her size can be a complication if combined with a poor socialization process. Teach him not to pull on the leash from a young age, before he grows up and it is too late. Once it has completed its growth it will be irreversible since it will be too big and strong to correct this trend.

Find the best variety and the best offers of dog collars here.

Proper exercise for an Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound, when compared to other dogs of a similar size, is quite active and surprisingly quick and agile. A healthy adult Irish Wolfhound does not need excessive exercise considering their size. About an hour of exercise a day is usually more than enough. They are dogs that will adapt easily and will not have bad behavior if they cannot go out for their usual walks for a week.

It is advisable to teach him to always go to the call of his master. If you need to use rewards to get him used to it. This is because it is a breed that tends to wander off on its own from time to time. Therefore, if we want to take them out for a walk without a leash or we have a field with large dimensions of land, this practice will be mandatory.

In order to prevent future bone problems, maximum attention must be paid so that these young dogs never exercise excessively and do not exceed their ideal weight. Being overweight is usually one of the main factors affecting your joints and bones. It is important to monitor exercise during times of high temperatures. The Irish bear the cold perfectly but are very sensitive to high temperatures. It is recommended to reduce the time of exercise, the intensity or even suspend it if the temperatures are excessive. It is also essential that you always have fresh water, so if you must be absent for several hours, it is necessary to have a large drinker so that you do not lack water.

perro lobo irlandes

Nutrition and recommended diets for my Wolfhound

Giant breed dogs, in addition to having a great appetite, require great care to be taken with the proper proportions of minerals and vitamins that are given daily. Different from other races, since an inefficiency of one of these can bring more complicated problems such as causing very serious problems in their joints and cartilage.

It should be borne in mind that the Irish Wolfhound is prone to bloating and stomach problems, including stomach twisting, so it is advisable that their portions be small and frequent to minimize possible risks. This will prevent the dog from eating quickly and swallowing bites without chewing and will help to prevent this complication.

All the variety and the best prices in feeders and drinkers for dogs, here.

Find the best deals from dry food for dogs here.

The best offers of wet food for dogs here.

Find the best deals from dog snacks here.

It is important, to avoid risks of stomach torsion, that animals do not exercise, run or do any activity after having eaten. This greatly increases the chances of a stomach twisting.

An adult male Wolfdog consumes approximately 800 grams of balanced food or feed daily. Adult females are around 650 grams of food daily.

In the stage of their life that they usually eat the most food is that of growth, which goes between eight months and 15 months of age. Males exceed a kilo of food eaten per day when they go through this stage.

The Irish Wolfhound from three to eight months of age grows at a rate of 10 kilograms per month. It is a dog that must be taken into account because of its overweight because its joints and bones can be easily damaged.

Grooming and grooming for an Irish Wolfhound

The rough and tough coat of the Irish Wolfhound requires very little maintenance, mainly due to its texture. Likewise, it is necessary to consciously brush and comb regularly. The wolf's coat must be hand sanitized at least twice a year. Excess hair and dead hair must be removed for new fur to grow. In this way we will avoid skin problems in the animal.

The best offers in dog beds, here.

Find the best kennels for dogs, here

We recommend the following products: A practical and effective brush that will make the task very simple. It is of excellent quality and ideal for cloaks such as the wolfhound. We also offer you an aloe vera shampoo, specially prepared to take care of your dog's skin, it does not produce any type of allergies. And finally, a professional nail clipper, which includes a system so that we cannot cut too much, thus avoiding hurting our Wolfhound.



Bathrooms are not usually something simple due to their excessive size. If to this is added a specimen that does not enjoy the water or the bathrooms, it will be a difficult task to carry out that many of its owners delegate to professionals. With a bath every three months it is usually more than enough if weekly brushing is applied for maintenance.

Bear in mind that this dog supports cold very well but heat is its great enemy. Therefore, it is advisable to frequent the baths a little more in times of great heat.

Uses of the Irish Wolfhound breed

It has not been used as a wolf hunter for a long time. Today they are highly valued as family dogs, although they also retain their instincts as vermin hunters.

Curiosities of Irish Wolves

The Irish Wolfhound is one of the dogs that are considered to be the largest that exist today. Although the rankings that different experts usually make are different from each other because they use different variables, the Irish Wolfhound is always within the five largest dogs in the world. It is next to Great dane the largest dog, or stature that exists in the world. If you would like to know what are the largest dog breeds that exist in the world today, you can visit our note on The 10 largest dog breeds in the world.

1 thought on “Lobero Irlandés”

Leave a Comment

en_USEnglish