Irish Wolfhound at a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height
- from 71 cm
- Weight
- from 40.9 kg
- Life expectancy
- up to 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog.
Is the Irish Wolfhound right for you?
Like every breed, the Irish Wolfhound is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You have, or would like, another dog.
- You would like a dog that tends to be quiet.
- You would like a dog that is usually calm at home.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
How would the Irish Wolfhound fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is reputed to be the tallest of all dog breeds. Despite its huge size it is graceful and athletic, with a rough, harsh coat, and it is typically gentle, calm and friendly: a true gentle giant. The Royal Kennel Club lists it as a vulnerable native breed.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Giant
Among the largest dog breeds.
- Exercise
Very high
Usually needs several hours of activity or work a day.
- Energy level
Usually calm
Tends to be calm and settled around the home.
- Grooming
Moderate
The coat usually needs brushing several times a week.
- Shedding
Moderate
Sheds a moderate amount, varying by dog and season.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Tends to be quiet
Usually a fairly quiet dog around the home.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
Dogs of greyhound type are thought to have been brought from the Middle East by Phoenician sailors and crossed with Mastiffs to produce a giant dog with the speed and strength to see off the wolves that threatened livestock in Ireland. Both smooth and rough coats once existed; only the rough coat remains today.
The last wolf in Ireland was killed in the late 18th century, and with no work to do the breed dwindled, becoming very rare after the Great Famine of the 1840s. In the mid-19th century a group led by the Scotsman Captain George Augustus Graham revived it, using the surviving Wolfhounds and outcrosses including the heavier type of Deerhound, the Great Dane and the Tibetan Mastiff.
Irish Wolfhound temperament
Adult Irish Wolfhounds are usually friendly, kind and quiet, and devoted to their families. They tend to be friendly to everyone and usually get on well with other dogs, although some dogs may be intimidated by their size.
They take a long time to mature. Expect to live with a very large puppy for the first three years or so, and do not expect sensible adult behaviour for quite some time. Puppies and young adults are energetic and boisterous.
Size and appearance
The Irish Wolfhound is a giant breed. The minimum height is 79 cm for males and 71 cm for females, with an average height of around 81–86 cm. Males weigh at least 54.5 kg and females at least 40.9 kg.
The rough, harsh coat is of medium length. Breed standard colours include black, brindle, cream, fawn, grey, red and wheaten, along with several brindle shades.
How much exercise does a Irish Wolfhound need?
Although huge, Irish Wolfhounds are active and surprisingly fast and agile. A fully grown, healthy adult needs around two hours of exercise a day, with chances to run freely, and enjoys a large garden to roam. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours a day.
Take great care not to over-exercise young dogs, to avoid skeletal problems, but do get them out to see the world while they are young. They need a lot of space indoors, outdoors and even in the car, and suit a country home best.
Training a Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds usually have a typical sighthound's dismissive attitude to training, so they suit experienced owners.
- Teach lead walking while they are young, so you can control them when fully grown.
- Socialise puppies and get them out to see the world, without over-exercising them.
- Be patient: they mature slowly and stay puppyish for around three years.
- Remember that nothing is out of reach for a dog this tall.
Irish Wolfhound grooming
The rough, harsh coat is fairly low maintenance and needs brushing a couple of times a week. Wolfhounds do shed, so expect some tidying up after them.
Living with a Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound can make a wonderful family dog, as it is quiet, friendly and devoted. It is, however, far too big to live with small children, especially during its bouncy adolescence. In a family with older, sensible children it can be ideal. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A garden is helpful.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Irish Wolfhound health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
The Irish Wolfhound has a relatively short lifespan: the Royal Kennel Club gives it as under 10 years, and Purina as 6 to 8 years. Some conditions are recognised in the breed. Knowing about them helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every Wolfhound will be affected.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV)
The breed is prone to bloating and stomach problems. Purina suggests smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the risk.
Dilated cardiomyopathy
A condition in which the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and cannot beat properly.
Osteosarcoma
A serious type of bone cancer.
Glaucoma
A painful condition in which pressure builds up inside the eye. Eye testing for pectinate ligament abnormality looks for signs that a dog is affected.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited disorder in which part of the eye degenerates, which can lead to blindness. The Royal Kennel Club lists eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme as best practice before breeding.
Portosystemic shunt
The breed is predisposed to portosystemic shunts, so it is worth asking a breeder about them.
Breed watch points of concern
The Royal Kennel Club places the Irish Wolfhound in Breed Watch Category 2, meaning it has points of concern: features that, if exaggerated, might affect the breed in future.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Irish Wolfhound home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Irish Wolfhound cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Irish Wolfhound home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically up to 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Irish Wolfhound
If you have decided the Irish Wolfhound suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Irish Wolfhounds looking for homes
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Irish Wolfhound FAQs
Is the Irish Wolfhound good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Irish Wolfhound live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Irish Wolfhound need?
Very high: usually needs several hours of activity or work each day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Irish Wolfhound shed?
Moderate shedding.
How much grooming does the Irish Wolfhound need?
Typically: several times a week.
Is the Irish Wolfhound easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Irish Wolfhound be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Irish Wolfhound bark a lot?
Tends to be quiet. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Irish Wolfhound good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Irish Wolfhound live?
Typically up to 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Irish Wolfhound get?
Adults typically stand from 71 cm at the shoulder and weigh from 40.9 kg.