History and Temperament

Irish Wolfhounds have hunted wolves and elk in Ireland for at least 2,000 years. By the 19th century, wolf extinction in Ireland had nearly driven the breed to extinction as well; Captain George Graham is credited with reviving the breed in the 1860s using remaining hounds crossed with Scottish Deerhounds, Great Danes, and Borzoi. The modern Irish Wolfhound retains the sighthound's independent hunting instinct -- they can and will chase small animals at full speed -- combined with a gentle, patient temperament that makes them excellent family dogs.

They are not guard dogs despite their imposing size. Most Irish Wolfhounds are too friendly with strangers to serve as deterrents. Their instinct is to greet, not challenge. With children they are patient and gentle, though supervision is necessary given the size differential -- an enthusiastic wolfhound can knock over a toddler without intending any harm.

Exercise and Space Requirements

Adult Irish Wolfhounds need moderate exercise -- 1-2 hours of daily activity, ideally including off-leash running in a safely fenced area. They are not marathon runners; the sighthound sprint-and-rest pattern means they need bursts of space rather than endless endurance. A 6-foot fence is necessary -- their standing height and jumping ability make 4-foot fences inadequate. Puppies should not be over-exercised on hard surfaces before 18-24 months; the growth plates close slowly in giant breeds and premature loading causes developmental orthopedic disease.

Health: The Critical Issues

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of death in Irish Wolfhounds. Studies show 25-30% of wolfhounds have DCM by age 7, and 50%+ by age 9 (Vollmar 1999, Veterinary Record). Annual cardiac screening with echocardiography starting at age 3 is recommended by the Irish Wolfhound Club of America Health Committee. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG) detects arrhythmias before echocardiographic changes appear.

Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) affects giant breeds at far higher rates than smaller dogs. Irish Wolfhounds have a lifetime osteosarcoma risk of approximately 10%. Signs: limb lameness, localized bone swelling, pain on palpation. Radiographs confirm the diagnosis. Median survival with surgery alone is 4-6 months; with surgery plus chemotherapy, 10-12 months. Any persistent lameness in a wolfhound warrants prompt radiographic evaluation, not wait-and-see.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV/bloat) -- see the dedicated GDV article. Deep-chested giant breeds are at high risk. Signs: unproductive retching, distended abdomen, restlessness, hypersalivation. GDV is a surgical emergency with mortality exceeding 30% even with treatment. Prophylactic gastropexy at the time of spay/neuter is strongly recommended.

Feeding and Nutrition

Feed a large/giant breed formula appropriate for the dog's age and size. Puppies should be on large-breed puppy food with controlled calcium and phosphorus ratios to support slow skeletal development. Adult wolfhounds eat 6-10 cups of dry food daily depending on activity level and individual metabolism. Feed twice daily rather than once to reduce GDV risk. Avoid elevated food bowls -- contrary to older advice, studies suggest they may increase rather than decrease GDV risk.

Finding a Puppy

Work with breeders who conduct cardiac screening (echo and Holter) on all breeding dogs, screen for osteosarcoma incidence in lines, test hips and elbows via OFA, and offer a health guarantee. Expect to pay $2,000-$4,000 from a health-testing breeder. Avoid breeders who produce multiple litters simultaneously or cannot provide screening results for both parents.