Irish Wolfhound

Personality

Despite the fearsome history, the Irish Wolfhound is one of the most peaceable dogs you will meet. The AKC calls it calm, dignified and kindly, and the breed is unhurried, affectionate and surprisingly quiet indoors. Many are happy to rest for long stretches.

They bond closely with their families and do not like to be left alone for long. PetMD notes the breed can develop separation anxiety, and a lonely hound may become destructive or withdrawn. Wolfhounds are usually friendly toward children, strangers and other dogs, which makes them poor guard dogs, although their size is itself a deterrent.

They are sighthounds, and that old chasing instinct is real. A wolfhound that spots a rabbit, a squirrel or a running small dog may pursue it at high speed. PetMD describes them as sensitive and eager to please, while VCA calls them unhurried about following directions. Expect a gentle dog that works at its own pace.

History

Large Irish hounds appear in records going back many centuries. According to VCA, the first mention in Rome dates to 391 CE, where the dogs were known as arena fighters against wild animals and as hunters of large game. Their Irish name, Cu Faoil, joins the words for hound and wolf, with "Cu" implying bravery. Irish chieftains used them to hunt wolves and Irish elk, and gave them as prestigious gifts to foreign nobility.

By around 1800 the breed was nearly extinct in Ireland, and the famine of 1845 almost finished it off. In the 1860s, British army captain George A. Graham set out to revive the breed, crossing the remaining Irish dogs with Scottish Deerhounds, Borzois and Great Danes. His work produced the dog we know today, which the AKC now calls the tallest of all its breeds. Today the Irish Wolfhound is chiefly a gentle companion, valued for its calm, kindly nature rather than its hunting skills.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest AKC breed, a powerful, graceful sighthound built for speed and strength. The AKC standard sets minimums rather than a range: males should be at least 32 in (81 cm) and 120 lb (54 kg), and females at least 30 in (76 cm) and 105 lb (48 kg). It says the breed should average 32 to 34 in (81 to 86 cm) in males. VCA lists the same 30 to 32 in and 105 to 120 lb, but these are floors rather than ceilings: the AKC notes that a male might stand nearly 3 ft (91 cm) and weigh up to 180 lb (82 kg).

The coat is rough, hard and wiry on the body, legs and head, with especially bristly hair over the eyes and under the jaw. The AKC recognizes gray, brindle, red, black, pure white and fawn, along with any color seen in the Scottish Deerhound. The standard describes a rough-coated, Greyhound-type dog that is very muscular and strongly built while still graceful. It is meant to combine great size and commanding presence with swiftness and keen sight.

Training

Wolfhounds are intelligent and sensitive, so gentle, reward-based training works best. VCA recommends obedience training because of the breed's size and strength, and food rewards tend to be effective. Even a willing wolfhound can be slow to respond, so be patient and keep sessions short and positive.

Socialize your puppy early. Meet lots of people, dogs and situations while the puppy is still small enough to handle, and start on manners from day one. A puppy that jumps up or pulls on leash is cute at 20 lb but dangerous at 120. Teach a polite walk, a calm sit for greetings and a solid "leave it."

Recall deserves special attention. A sighthound will chase moving things, and few wolfhounds can be trusted off leash outside secure areas, no matter how well trained. Use a long line in open spaces. Harsh methods can make a sensitive wolfhound shut down, so keep training upbeat and consistent.

Exercise

For their size, wolfhounds are surprisingly moderate. VCA says a moderate daily walk, a short jog or a run in an enclosed area is enough, and the breed makes a very quiet housedog as long as exercise needs are met. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs can help you tailor activity to age.

Access to a secure area for sprinting is valuable. Tracking, agility, racing and obedience are also suggested by PetMD. Because of the strong prey drive, a tall, secure fence is advised, and walks should be on leash.

Be cautious with puppies. Giant breeds grow fast, and their bones and joints need time. Avoid forced running, jumping and long hikes until your vet says growth is complete. Regular exercise throughout life also helps limit weight gain and supports joints. Offer a good-sized, well-padded bed, since calluses can form on the elbows and other pressure points.

Grooming

The wiry coat is less demanding than it looks. Brush weekly to remove loose hair and keep the coat tidy, and bathe only occasionally, roughly every one to three months, depending on how dirty your dog gets. Shedding is moderate.

The coat needs a little hand-stripping, which means plucking dead hair, about twice a year to keep its harsh texture. A groomer familiar with wiry coats can show you how. Tidy the beard if it collects food and water.

Check the ears every few weeks and clean them if needed. Trim nails regularly: a giant dog's overgrown nails can affect how it walks. Calluses on elbows and other pressure points are common in large breeds that lie on hard floors; soft bedding helps prevent them. Brush the teeth often. See our guide to brushing your dog's teeth for tips on introducing the habit.

Feeding

A giant breed has giant needs, but it also has special risks. Puppies should eat a large- or giant-breed puppy food so they grow at a steady rate, since fast growth can contribute to joint problems. Ask your vet about a feeding plan and monitor your puppy's weight and body shape.

Adults usually do best with two or more smaller meals a day, about 12 hours apart, rather than one big meal. PetMD suggests using a floor-level bowl, avoiding exercise right before and after meals and considering a slow-feeder bowl to reduce the risk of bloat. Read about bloat so you can recognize the signs quickly.

Keep your hound lean, with ribs easy to feel but not very noticeable. Our dog food calculator offers a starting estimate, but adjust the amount by your dog's condition. Ask your vet before adding supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids. Food costs for a giant dog are substantial, so budget for it before you bring one home.

Health

The Irish Wolfhound's biggest health issue is a short life. The AKC, VCA and PetMD all give a life span of roughly 6 to 8 years. Heart disease, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and bone cancer (osteosarcoma) are the major concerns, and the Irish Wolfhound Club of America lists both among the breed's serious issues. Limping should be checked promptly, and the AKC recommends a yearly exam, ideally by a vet who knows sighthounds, that includes an EKG.

Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills and twists. Call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately if your dog has a swollen belly, drooling, restlessness or retching with nothing coming up. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia also occur, and a developmental liver problem called portosystemic shunt (PSS) can be screened for in puppies at 8 to 10 weeks.

The AKC lists hip, elbow, cardiac, eye and serum bile acid tests as the breed club's recommended screenings. Ask breeders for results, schedule regular checkups and talk with your vet about preventive stomach surgery (gastropexy).

Health conditions to know about

• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — A weakened, enlarged heart muscle that can progress to heart failure; the AKC advises a yearly exam that includes an EKG.
• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) — An aggressive cancer that usually shows first as limping; early X-rays and veterinary care are important.
• Bloat (GDV) — Life-threatening twisting of the stomach in deep-chested dogs; needs emergency care.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia — Developmental joint problems that can lead to pain and arthritis; keep your dog lean.
• Portosystemic shunt (PSS) — A developmental liver blood-vessel problem that breeders can screen for in young puppies.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
• Cardiac exam
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Serum bile acids

Read more: luxating patella.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Irish Wolfhound

An Irish Wolfhound needs room, literally. A large house or a spacious home with a secure yard is ideal, and a very tall fence is a must because of the chasing instinct. Apartments can work for some sighthounds, but a giant is awkward in tight quarters.

Indoors, wolfhounds are calm, quiet housemates. They rarely bark; VCA rates barking at 1 out of 5. They are also not good watchdogs and tend to greet visitors with interest. The breed is companionable but not especially adaptable, and does best with a stable household and routine.

They are generally good with children, but VCA notes the breed is laid-back, so boisterous play can frustrate it, and a giant dog can knock over small kids by accident. The breed generally gets along with other dogs and pets, yet the prey drive means small animals should be supervised. The wiry coat handles cold and wet reasonably well, but heat is hard on a giant dog. Provide shade, water and a cool resting spot.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Because wolfhounds have serious health risks, choose your breeder carefully. The Irish Wolfhound Club of America (IWCA) advises that breeders test for heritable disease, primarily eye, cardiac and joint conditions, and provide family health histories. The AKC lists hip, elbow, cardiac and eye exams and serum bile acids. IWCA also notes that puppies should be screened for liver shunts at 8 to 10 weeks of age, before they go to new homes.

Ask how long the parents, grandparents and siblings lived and what they died of, since longevity is a key quality in this breed. A good breeder raises puppies indoors, lets you meet the mother, offers a contract and takes the dog back at any time.

Prices vary widely by region and breeder. Wolfhound rescue groups sometimes have adult dogs, which can be a wonderful way to enjoy this breed. Whichever route you take, make sure your budget covers food, veterinary care and insurance for a giant dog.