Buyer question
Is an Irish Wolfhound good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the Irish Wolfhound 3 out of 5 for beginners (gentle but very large).
Source: the Irish Wolfhound page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Irish Wolfhound in the Animal Library
The detail
The tallest AKC breed, bred in Ireland to hunt wolves and elk and to guard, the Irish Wolfhound is gentle, calm and patient. It needs space, soft bedding and room to stretch its legs, and like most giant breeds it lives a short life.
- Temperament
- Gentle, calm, dignified
- Best fit
- Families with space
- Trainability
- 3 out of 5 (Willing, sensitive)
- Energy
- 3 out of 5 (Daily walks and gallops)
- Grooming load
- 2 out of 5 (Weekly brush, some strip)
What to weigh
Wolfhounds live six to eight years on average, and heart disease, bone cancer and bloat are common. Their size means costly food, medicine, vehicles and furniture.