Irish Wolfhound
About the Irish Wolfhound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Giant (100+ lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 30-35" |
| Weight | 105-180 lbs |
| Coat Type | Wire |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
40 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $2,000/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Irish Wolfhounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Irish Wolfhound
The story behind the Irish Wolfhound
Large rough-coated hounds are recorded in Ireland from early historical sources, kept by chieftains and used against wolves and large game, and given as prestigious gifts abroad. As wolves were exterminated and Irish estates declined, the old strain dwindled and by the nineteenth century was regarded as effectively lost. From the middle of that century a British army officer, Captain George Augustus Graham, gathered surviving dogs said to descend from the old type and crossed them with Deerhound, Great Dane and other large breeds to reconstruct a hound matching the historical descriptions. That reconstructed line is the ancestor of every Irish Wolfhound alive today. Recognition followed in Britain and later abroad, and the breed now exists as a companion and show dog with a modest, stable following worldwide.
Originally bred for: Wolf hunting, Big-game coursing, Estate guardian. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Irish Wolfhound
Giant frames need careful, unhurried growth, so puppies should be raised on a diet formulated for large-breed development rather than pushed for size. Adults do well on two or three moderate meals with calm rest either side, kept slim to spare joints and heart.
Watch for: No breed-specific ingredient intolerance is established, but deep-chested giants are considered at raised risk of bloat, so many owners avoid single large meals and vigorous activity around feeding. Discuss feeding routine and any growth or diet changes with a veterinarian.
Start with the Irish Wolfhound feeding guide, then compare our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Irish Wolfhound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.