Irish Wolfhound
From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
| Irish Wolfhound | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Country of origin | ||
| Ireland | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| Group 10 Section 2 #160 | Stds | |
| Hound | Stds | |
| Group 4 (Hound) | Stds | |
| Group 2 (Hound) | Stds | |
| Hound | Stds | |
| Hound | Stds | |
| Sighthounds and Pariahs | Stds | |
The Irish Wolfhound is a
Contents |
[edit] Appearance
These dogs are the tallest
They average up to 86 cm (34 inches) at the
[edit] Temperament
In temperament, they are considered gentle and friendly, very calm in the house, enjoying long sleeps but energetic when taken for walks. Despite their great size and sometimes intimidating appearance, wolfhounds are sensitive and should be corrected firmly but without anger. They should be socialized from a young age so that they have a chance to gather experience. While historically Wolfhounds should show a strong guarding instinct, most modern Irish Wolfhounds are not temperamentally suited to be a guard dog.
[edit] Health
Wolfhounds should not receive additional supplements when a good dog food is used. It is no longer generally accepted that they should be fed a large breed puppy food until 18 months of age and then change to a large breed adult food. Most breeders today recommend that they not be supplemented in order to slow their rapid growth. They will eventually reach the same height, but at a slower, and safer, rate.[
By the age of 8 months, the dogs appear adult, and many owners start stressing them too much. Outstretched limbs and irreparable damage are the result. Wolfhounds need at least 18 months to be ready for
[edit] History
The breed is very old, possibly from the 1st century BC or earlier, bred as war dogs by the ancient
While many modern texts state Irish wolfhounds were used for coursing deer, contemporary pre-revival accounts such as Animated Nature (1796) by Oliver Goldsmith are explicit that the original animal was a very poor coursing dog. Their astonishing size, speed, and intelligence made them ideal hunting animals for both wild boar and wolves, and many were exported for this purpose. They were perhaps too ideal, as the wolf is now extinct in Ireland. The Irish Wolfhound has been recorded as being exhibited in Ancient Rome to some excitement, and mention is made that they so amazed and terrified the Romans that it was seen fit to only transport them in cages. There exists stories that in the arena, the original Wolfhound was the equal of a lion.
During times of conflict with England, it was not uncommon for Wolfhounds to be trained to take armored knights off of their horses, thus allowing an infantry man to move in and finish the kill if the Wolfhound has not done so already.
Due to a massive export into various countries as a gift for royalty and a ban that allowed only royalty to own such a dog, the breed almost vanished in the middle of the 19th century. Captain Graham rebred the Irish Wolfhound with the
The ancient breed (often referred to as the Irish Wolfdogge in contemporary accounts) was available in both a smooth and rough coated variety. Descriptions of its appearance and demeanor, as well as the method of its use place it closer to the flock guardians in appearance than the modern breed. The historical variety was famed for its loyalty, discernment, grave nature and aggression. In terms of temperament the modern breed has been greatly mellowed.[
[edit] Famous Wolfhounds
- Centaur Pendragon, pet of
- The mascot for the London Irish Rugby team.
