Breed library

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhound photograph.
(2) Irish Wolfhound 4.jpg - Dux. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:(2)_Irish_Wolfhound_4.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Irish Wolfhound (Cú Faoil) is a breed of large sighthound that has, by its presence and substantial size, inspired literature, poetry and mythology. One of the largest of all breeds of dog, the breed is used by coursing hunters who have prized it for its ability to dispatch game caught by other, swifter sighthounds. In 1902, the Irish Wolfhound was declared the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: IrelandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Irish Wolfhound (Cú Faoil) is a breed of large sighthound that has, by its presence and substantial size, inspired literature, poetry and mythology.
  • One of the largest of all breeds of dog, the breed is used by coursing hunters who have prized it for its ability to dispatch game caught by other, swifter sighthounds.
  • In 1902, the Irish Wolfhound was declared the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards.
  • In 391, there is a reference to large dogs by Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, a Roman consul who got seven "canes Scotici" as a gift to be used for fighting lions and bears, and who wrote "all Rome viewed (them) with wonder".
  • Wolfhounds were used as hunting dogs by the Gaels, who called them Cú Faoil (Cú Faoil , composed of the elements "hound" and "wolf", i.e. "wolfhound").

Size and appearance

The Irish Wolfhound is characterised by its large size. According to the FCI standard, the expected range of heights at the withers is 81 - 86 cm; minimum heights and weights are 79 cm/54.5 kg and 71 cm/40.5 kg for dogs and bitches respectively. It is more massively built than the Scottish Deerhound, but less so than the Great Dane. The coat is hard and rough on the head, body and legs, with the beard and the hair over the eyes particularly wiry. It may be black, brindle, fawn, grey, red, pure white, or any colour seen in the Deerhound.

  • Body mass reference: 40.5 kg or moreAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 40.5 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 40.5 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: 54.5 kg or moreAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 54.5 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 54.5 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: 71 cm or moreAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 71 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 71 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 79 cm or moreAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 79 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 79 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: 81 - 86 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 81 - 86 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Height category: very_tall

Personality and behavior

Irish Wolfhounds have a varied range of personalities and are most often noted for their personal quirks and individualism. The breed is generally introverted, intelligent, and reserved in character. Wolfhounds often create a strong bond with their family and can become quite destructive or morose if left alone for long periods of time. The Irish Wolfhound makes for an effective and imposing guardian. The breed becomes attached to both owners and other dogs they are raised with and is therefore not the most adaptable of breeds. Bred for independence, an Irish Wolfhound is not necessarily keen on defending spaces. A wolfhound is most easily described by its historical motto, "gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked".

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.65 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.93 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.57 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.31 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.50 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.74 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.45 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.68 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.03 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.56 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.38 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.73 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.50 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.57 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Irish Wolfhound.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat texture: wiry

Health and lifespan

More recently a 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 9.9 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

In 1902, the Irish Wolfhound was declared the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Irish Wolfhound - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Irish Wolfhound, revision 1369882508. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Irish_Wolfhound&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:(2) Irish Wolfhound 4.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. (2) Irish Wolfhound 4.jpg - Dux. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:(2)_Irish_Wolfhound_4.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.