Irish Wolfhound: breed description, nature and content

Irish Wolfhound is a breed that looks very impressive. She can be called a real Gulliver among all the other dogs. This majestic dog has the largest growth, but at the same time manages to remain an extremely graceful and attractive creature.

Irish wolfhounds are considered the oldest breed in the world. Nowadays, these dogs have become a symbol of the Irish army and one of the hallmarks of the country like bears in Russia.

The name of the breed reflects the historical features of the formation of this species of animals. For the first time, the Celts brought these dogs to Britain - this happened 300 years before BC. e., accordingly, the age of the breed is more than two millennia. The ancestors of these dogs were common in ancient Rome, where they were used to hunt animals in circuses. Thanks to their exceptional courage, nobility and kindness, these animals for their courage, exceptional kindness and prudence, which are combined in this creature, many legends are composed about them.

Dogs have been widely used for a long time. to scare away wolves and while hunting foxes, bears and moose. By the middle of the XVIII century, all the wolves in the country were almost completely exterminated, so the main purpose of animals lost their strength. During this period, the breed was on the verge of extinction.A new surge in popularity came only in the middle of the 18th century. So, in 1885, the first Irish club of fans of this breed was opened, headed by the famous captain Graham, and a year later its founders established the annual Graham Passage Shield award, which was awarded to dogs that retained the maximum number of pedigree characteristics of their ancestors.

It is noteworthy that at the same time, the founder himself in attempts to revive the endangered breed often crossed wolfhounds with dirhounds and Danish Great Dane.

Today, these magnificent animals have become a real symbol of the Irish national spirit, reflecting their character and strength.

A huge dog has a lot in common with a dirhound. This giant has a gentle and friendly character and sincerely shows his feelings and emotions towards the breeder and all his household. Comfort is not particularly important for the dog, she will be happy, even walking in the rain and snow - the main thing is that her beloved owner is nearby.

Dogs of this breed have exceptional working features - they are often compared with a lion during a hunt and a meek lamb at home. This animal without the slightest hesitation will enter the battle with a dangerous predator and can come out with victory even from the battle with several opponents at the same time.

Description of the Irish breed has a fairly clear standard:

• Torso - powerful, lean and elongated.
• Back - necessarily a direct, significant difference between the croup and the withers is not allowed.
• Neck - elongated, but with developed muscles, rather dry, without a pronounced slope and noticeable sag. The transition from the withers to the neck is clearly visible.
• Head - triangular, slightly elongated.

The muzzle is long, dry. The forehead gently goes into the face without any differences and angles. The ears are triangular, hanging type. The eyes are quite large, almond-shaped, the iris is black. The lips are also black in color, pressed quite tightly to the teeth. The back of the nose is usually straightened, also black.

• The mouth has a regular scissor bite, the fangs are quite sharp, so this dog’s grip is excellent.
• The sternum is muscular, rather broad, rounded.
• The legs are elongated, the hock joints are well developed, in the process of standing are parallel.
• The paw pads are fleshy, very large. The claws are powerful, their shade directly depends on the color of the animal. Paws on the move moving rapidly, but at the same time extremely gracefully.
• The tail is straightened, long, does not wrap in a ringlet. When the dog experiences an influx of emotions - rises up, at another time it is mainly omitted.
• Wool is wire-like, stiff with a thick undercoat, hair is elongated above the eye sockets. A distinctive feature of the breed Irish wolfhound is considered a shaggy elongated beard.
• The height at the withers of males is at least 79 cm, the growth of bitches starts at 72 cm.
• The body weight of an adult animal varies from 40.5 to 55 kg.
• The suit can be light brown, red or wheat. Irish wolfhounds of a black color with tan and tiger are a little less common.

The Irish Wolfhound is a well-bred and noble animal. His character and behavior has a number of features.

Irish wolfhounds truly love their owner, they sincerely become attached to the owner, and to his family members, and if due to some circumstances they lose them, then they always worry for a long time. Dog is different attentiveness and obedience, very sensitively reacts to any changes in the mood and emotional manifestations of the owner.

Young puppies are easy to train - they can be trained very quickly for all major teams, however, as the dog grows older, it begins to show obstinacy and even stiffness, so this breed - not the best choice for beginners in training. From time to time, the Irish wolfhound begins to show its independent character and independence - this is reflected in the fact that the pet during walks begins to run away from its owner, rushing after cats and other dogs.

The animal favors the rest of the pets in the house, the exception is only birds and rodents - they will certainly become objects of hunting for dogs.

This huge dog can easily be trusted with a small child. You can leave them in the same room without fear - the wolfhound will never offend the baby and will be extremely careful in relation to him in any situation. Dogs stoically endure dragging by the tail, they easily allow you to rub your beard, squeeze and hold in your hands.

Irish Wolfhounds completely cannot stand parting with their loved ones and if the separation is long, then may wither away from experiences and longings. This dog, in principle, does not tolerate prolonged loneliness, easily falls into apathy, therefore he is not advised to keep in an indoor aviary - he should always be able to contact with people and other pets.

The breed will not be the best choice if you need an animal as a watchman, since an Irish wolfhound can scare uninvited guests solely with its dimensions, but otherwise it will not be the first to show cruelty, bark and throw.

Dirhounds are one of the varieties of greyhounds. At one time, the breed of wolfhounds in Ireland was almost completely exterminated and dirhounds were used to preserve and restore it, since this dog is most similar to her in appearance. That is why animals have such a strong resemblance that a layman can easily confuse them.

Dogs of both species are distinguished by the presence of a beard and belonging to the category of wire-haired greyhounds, the similarities end there. But the behavioral characteristics of these animals are diametrically opposite.

Dirhound is a real storm, you can hunt with it, the dog has a really crazy temperament. They are gambling hunters, athletes, and therefore often pose a danger to cats and small dogs. On the whole, the dirhound resembles the Russian greyhound to a much greater extent than the wolfhound; accordingly, the dirhound is best to live in those families where the owners lead an active lifestyle, appreciate movement and sport.

Irish wolfhounds in comparison with them are true sybarites, cats, mice, birds or rabbits can never wake them up, but they simply will not let the dirhound fall asleep.

When choosing a puppy, it should be borne in mind that male wolfhounds are much more straightforward and open than bitches, so if you are the first to get an animal of this breed, give preference to boys, it will be much easier to agree with them. In order to assess the nature of the future pet, it is better to choose a grown puppy, rather than a two-month-old, as is customary for most breeders. The fact is that for very young Irish, individual behavioral characteristics are weakly expressed, they all without exception give the impression of cute and funny animals.

Be sure to meet the parents of the selected puppy. This will help you better understand the growth and development prospects of your pet.

An important factor is the age of the mother of the puppy offered to you. If a puppy from a dog older than 5 years old is put up for sale, it is highly likely that he will be weak and sick.

Be sure to check for a veterinary passport and make sure that the animal has been given all the necessary vaccinations.

In a good nursery, newborn puppies are necessarily tested for some genetic pathologies, therefore if the results of such a study are available on the map, this will be a big plus for the breeder.

Unscrupulous breeders often overcharge, motivating the rarity of colors - this is a hoax. The cost of an Irish wolfhound is in no way connected with his suit. When buying a grown puppy, be sure to ask its seller if any commands are known to the pet. Usually, at a very early breeder, wolfhounds already know several basic commands at a very early age and respond well to a leash.

The comfort of a pet depends on the efforts and enthusiasm of its owner. It is best for dogs to live in a house, but it can also be comfortable for an animal in a small apartment if it has its own couch in a corner where people will not touch it.

If the dog is constantly walking, then keeping in the apartment will not be any inconvenience to the wolfhound. Keep in mind that dogs of this species are contraindicated on hard surfaces, because they have a fairly thin layer of subcutaneous fat, and the joints are quite sensitive, so many pets are welcome owners are allowed to lie on their sofas and armchairs. If you are categorically opposed to such decisions, arrange soft and comfortable couch cushion. Your pet will certainly take such care with great gratitude.

Keeping a wolfhound in an aviary is the most extreme measure, since the animal tolerates loneliness very poorly. If, nevertheless, the situation does not allow the dog to provide other conditions of detention, then try not to leave it to winter in such a competition, even if it is insulated - this is not only cruel, but also harms the health of the pet.

It is very important to pay particular attention to hygiene. The stiff coat of this dog requires frequent combing using a brush and comb. In this way, all shedding hairs can be combed out very quickly and painlessly and get rid of the small debris that the animal collects during walks.

From the point of view of physiology, the wolfhound does not require a haircut, but still many breeders slightly shorten their pets' hair on their feet, and also under the tail - in those places where it quickly and most gets dirty. It is not necessary to cut the hairs on the face, but care for them is necessary.Immediately after feeding, be sure to wipe his mustache and beard with a clean cloth.

Owners of exhibition wolfhounds are additionally trimmed, but in most cases, not the whole animal is nibbled, but only its head, and correctly do it manually, armed with a special silicone fingertip. Usually trimming starting from the ears - on the outside of the ear, the hairs are plucked until they become smooth. Also, the procedure is performed on the area between the eyes in the direction from the forehead to the skull, along the line of the cheeks, as well as the neck. Processing is carried out approximately 1-1.5 months before the competition.

Irish wolfhounds are washed a couple of times a year or in case of emergency, if the animal is very dirty. Nutrient shampoos for dogs with sensitive skin are suitable for the procedures.

Once a week, Irish should clean their ears. This procedure is not difficult - you just need to treat the inner surface of the auricle with a special veterinary lotion applied to a piece of fleece. Eyes also require regular treatment - they should be wiped with a weak solution of furatsilina or chamomile infusion about once a week.

Claw and tooth care is easy. The nails must be periodically trimmed with a nail clipper, and the teeth should be cleaned 3-4 times a month with a cleaning nozzle in order to remove plaque.

Be sure to inspect the paw pads of your pet after a walk - if they look healthy and there is no obvious damage to them, then wash them with warm water and just pat them with a soft towel. In winter, the pet’s skin sometimes crackes from frost - then after washing, additionally grease it with a rich baby cream or vegetable oil.

Dogs of this size must be walked on a leash, best of all with a leash.

If possible, allow the animals to run into plenty, but if you are walking near the track or in the visibility zone there are stray cats, it is better not to let the excuse slip out of your hands. Up to one year old, animals of this breed are strictly prohibited from jumping, so it is advisable to practice a variety of acrobatic numbers only after the musculoskeletal system of your pet is strengthened.

If your walks take place in a forested strip, more often or in small forest areas, then be sure to treat from ticks, and when you come home, be sure to inspect the withers, armpits and inguinal area of ​​the Irish. If an arachnid is found, then it must be removed from the body of the animal and then carefully monitor the condition of the dog for a couple of days. If you notice that the animal does not behave as usual, then this should become an occasion to immediately contact a veterinarian.

Most often, representatives of this breed suffer from:

• hypothyroidism;
• osteosarcomas;
• Wobbler syndrome;
• hip dysplasia;
• purulent lesions of the skin;
• dislocation of the patella;
• cataracts;
• twist of the century;
• cardiomyopathies;
• brachial osteochondrosis;
• intestinal twist;
• blood coagulation diseases.

When feeding dogs of this breed, it should be understood that most of the menu must be meat or ready-made feed of a premium or super-premium class. That is why it should be clearly understood that the nutrition of such an animal flies to its owners a pretty penny, and this fact must be borne in mind before buying a pet, so that later you do not save on food, replacing the meat proteins he needs with vegetable ones.

The greatest benefits are beef and veal, from time to time you can replace them with chicken meat, but completely transfer the dog to birds is not recommended. Of course, instead of meat, you can occasionally give fish or offal. In this case, fish should be taken only non-fat white, and offal - the highest quality, preferably the liver and heart.

Cereals must be included in the animal's diet, their share in each dish should be approximately one third of the total feed volume. Dogs are shown oats, as well as buckwheat or millet.

It will be useful to include kefir, low-fat cottage cheese, and also fried and chopped vegetables (pumpkin, zucchini, cauliflower) in the diet of the animal. Any seasonal greens or sprouted grains can be added to the mash.

Potatoes are acceptable for feeding an animal, but rarely and in small quantities. Bones are given to dogs of this breed only after they reach the age of three months, otherwise they can damage the teeth. Adolescents and adult puppies need to be given a cut of the beef ridge from time to time - this is how they train the grip of the jaw and get the necessary dose of collagen. For old and weakened animals, bones are not recommended - not so solid treats from a veterinary store are suitable for them. They gently affect tooth enamel and do not lead to the development of constipation.

The task of each responsible owner is from the very first days to teach your pet to relax after a snack.

Wolfhound puppies will grow very quickly, because breeders often begin to increase the food package for their pet - this is a common mistake of novice dog breeders. A young wolfhound must receive food strictly in accordance with the doses developed by the veterinarians, otherwise there is a high risk of overfeeding the animal.

Of course, a well-fed Irishman looks much prettier than his lean relatives, but any extra kilogram creates an increased load on the musculoskeletal system, and the pet’s body will react in the most unfavorable way to such weight gain.

An indispensable point in the diet should be dietary supplements and vitamin-mineral complexes, especially if the animal eats a "natural". Preference should be given to compounds with chondroitin and glucosamine, to improve the quality of the coat it is worth taking a closer look at preparations with omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids.

Dogs aged 1 to 3 months are fed 4-5 times a day, animals from 3 months to six months require three feedings per day with an interval of 4-5 hours. After six months, you can transfer the puppy to two meals a day. If the dog is weakened, it makes sense to continue three meals a day until he reaches the age of one.

Wolfhounds from Ireland have a very seasoned and friendly disposition, but to raise guards or bodyguards from dogs of this breed is an absolutely empty activity. Leave this role to the Caucasian Shepherd or Rottweilers. All sorts of freebies, adzhality and wave pulling will not bring animals any pleasure, but they will certainly lead to problems with joints, so do not record your pet in sports training. But you can try racing and coursing, but only if the animal does not have any cardiovascular pathologies.

Nevertheless, the animal needs serious education and training. You can take this responsibility on yourself or turn to the services of professionals. It is very important that the dog is motivated to achieve its goal and comes into contact with a person. Dog training should be based on full respect.

It makes no sense to "force" your pet by repeated repetitions of the same exercise. A couple of approaches should be done, after which the dog needs an hour or two of rest. After that, you can repeat the studied command. Such a technique will give a faster result, chewing for many hours each exercise.

Starting from a month, you can teach a puppy to a leash, and letting the baby run around the neighborhood is possible only if he has learned the commands well, such as “to me” and “next to”. Better to start with short walks. If you see that the pet is barely lagging behind you, then this means that you overdid it with physical activity and the dog needs to relax faster at home.

In young wolfhounds, a biting reflex is well pronounced, therefore it is necessary to practice his grasp on special toys and the hands of the breeder. At the same time, it is extremely important to immediately explain to your pet which objects you can try to try “by the teeth” and which are strictly forbidden. In no case do not shake and do not use other measures of physical influence in relation to a baby accidentally biting you. In this case, the only thing you will achieve is to grow an embittered nervous dog with a developed complex of distrust of people.

For such noble and large animals, the appropriate names are usually used. So, suitable nicknames for males are Scout, Walt, Harold, Casper, Chester, Rex, Butler, Rudolph, Zidane, Olve, Duncan, Luke, Nord, Lifan, Ernie, Olympus, Zeus, Mike.

Females are commonly called Amber, Gerda, Tesa, Varda, Ollie, Alice, Tory, Black, Gretta, Alma, Tiara and other similar names.

About the features of this breed of dogs, see the next video.