Irish Wolfhound
愛爾蘭獵狼犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all AKC breeds — an immense, rough-coated galloping hound built on Greyhound lines, once capable of taking a wolf in single combat and today, in the AKC's words, the most serene and agreeable of companions. Wolfhounds are calm, dignified and kindly, patient with children though a young hound can knock a small child flat, and far too gentle to be guard dogs. They need a large securely fenced area to gallop, a lead on every walk, human company at the core of daily life — and owners who accept a lifespan the parent club puts at around six to eight years.
Facts
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Height | 76–86cm |
| Weight | 48–54kg |
| Life expectancy | 6–8years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 10 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt)
Liver shunts are reported in the breed, particularly in small dogs. Ask your vet if a puppy is small, unwell after meals or slow to grow.
Pneumonia
The AKC lists pneumonia among the conditions responsible breeders screen for in the breed and recommends an annual examination, preferably by a vet familiar with sighthounds, including an EKG. Ask your vet promptly about a cough, laboured breathing or lethargy in a Wolfhound.
Behaviour
Serene giant, not a guard dog
The AKC says Wolfhounds are too serene to be fierce guard dogs — though the sight of one deters intruders — are characteristically patient with kids while needing supervision around small children, crave the company of their people, and are sensitive, fast learners who make excellent therapy dogs. The CKC calls it among the gentlest of breeds despite its giant size: protective of home and family, fond of children and courageous in its self-appointed tasks.
Gallop room and slow growing
The AKC says the breed keeps a strong instinct to chase, so it may only run loose inside secure fencing and every walk is on a leash; adults can become couch potatoes if allowed, so long walks or play sessions are needed, and tracking, agility and lure coursing suit them. Puppies take 18 months or more to mature, can be destructive and hurt themselves if left alone for long, and should have free play but no forced exercise; positive methods only. The CKC says the Wolfhound needs space indoors and out with spacious, safe running room, and the Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at more than 2 hours a day.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 1/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Irish Wolfhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Irish Wolfhound (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Irish Wolfhound
Breed characteristics (size extra large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan under 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Irish Wolfhound (standard no. 160, group 10)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's guidelines describe a gentle, loyal companion that demands more space, more exercise, more food and more medicine than the average dog — 'more of everything' — with a lifespan averaging around six and a half years, and ask buyers to consider honestly whether they can meet those demands. Its FAQ adds that the Wolfhound has no guard-dog temperament and aggression should never be encouraged, that even a puppy can knock down a small child in play, that small animals may be chased and injured, that puppies should have free romping in a secure fenced area but no forced exercise — not even long walks — until at least a year old, that adults should not be allowed to become soft, that they shed year-round without blowing coat, and that they are fast learners who respond best to positive training.”
— Irish Wolfhound Club of America — Guidelines for Choosing, Owning and Caring for Irish Wolfhounds via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Irish Wolfhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Irish Wolfhound — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Irish Wolfhound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Irish Wolfhound — FCI standard no. 160 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Guidelines for Choosing, Owning and Caring for Irish Wolfhounds — Irish Wolfhound Club of America — Irish Wolfhound Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]Irish Wolfhound FAQ — Irish Wolfhound Club of America — Irish Wolfhound Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.