Is the Irish wolfhound a good family dog?

Irish Wolfhounds are gentle with children, but simply because of their large size they can accidentally knock toddlers down and scare or injure them. They’re best suited to homes with older children. With early socialization and training, your Irish Wolfhound should get along well with other dogs.

What to know before getting an Irish Wolfhound?

They are patient and caring with children and typically get along well with cats and dogs, although they may chase smaller, fleeing animals. Irish Wolfhounds are easy to train and do best with positive reinforcement, but in their first year they can be clumsy and slow to mature.

Are Irish Wolfhounds stubborn?

Irish Wolfhounds are usually good with the other pets in their family. But some Irish Wolfhounds are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. Remember that these were hunting hounds who brought down wolves.

When did the Irish Wolfhound come to Ireland?

Irish Wolfhounds are too serene to be fierce guard dogs, but just the sight of them is enough to deter intruders. The breed is very old; there are suggestions it may have been brought to Ireland as early as 7000 BC.

What kind of health issues does an Irish Wolfhound have?

Irish Wolfhound health issues: Irish Wolfhounds are extremely prone to a life-threatening digestive syndrome called bloat. It comes on suddenly and can kill a dog in just a few hours. In addition, Wolfhounds are frequently stricken at an early age by crippling joint and bone disorders, by heart disease, and by cancer.

How tall does an Irish Wolfhound dog get?

The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all dog breeds, with males standing up to a minimum of 32 inches at the shoulder. If an Irish Wolfhound stands on his hind legs, he may be 7-feet tall. 2. They Date Back to Ancient Rome

What kind of socialization does an Irish Wolfhound need?

This breed does need early, frequent socialization to encourage an outgoing attitude. Not many individuals are guardians; indeed, suspiciousness or aggressiveness should never be encouraged because of his massive size.