Irish Wolfhound

BREED: Irish Wolfhound
TEMPERAMENT: Calm & biddable
COST: $800+
LIFESPAN: 8-10 years
RECOMMENDED FOR: Experienced dog owners
MAINTENANCE: Medium

Among the Irish dancers and leprechauns marching in St Patrick's Day parades, you may have noticed some huge shaggy dogs. These are Irish Wolfhounds, the world's tallest breed of dog.

Appearance

Irish Wolfhounds have a minimum height requirement of 79cm (31") for dogs and 71cm (28") for bitches. They aren't the heaviest breed, being long-legged and having a narrower frame than the Great Dane. The coat is rough and whiskery; colours range from white to black, with shades of brindle, cream and dark grey.

Temperament

Breeders encourage owners to concentrate on developing a quiet temperament in their dog from a young age. They recommend new owners avoid rough play with pups and young adults as this could become a problem when the animal becomes fully-grown. They say although this animal is a sight hound and excited by a chase, they usually don't overreact to children.

Health & lifespan

Irish Wolfhounds are reported to have problems with: Cancer of the bones and any lumps should be seen by a vet.
Liver shunt, a hereditary disease, which can be detected by a blood test. All puppies should be checked.
Osteochondrosis of the shoulder, a cartilage disease which may need surgery.
Bloat in older dogs.

The lifespan is eight to 10 years.

Housepet potential, space & exercise

Despite their huge size one owner says her Irish Wolfhound was often less trouble indoors than her terriers. A long wagging tail is probably the biggest danger for small ornaments.

Mature dogs should be walked for 30 minutes a day but they will spend most of their day lying at the back door. They are not suitable for a small flat or yard.

Bedding

Large dogs require good bedding and a trampoline or hammock-type of bed is recommended to protect the dog's joints, especially the elbows.

Ideal owner

This is a breed for the experienced dog owner. It requires careful training and regular exercising, as well as a commitment towards the expense of feeding, which is at least $20 a week. They make loyal companions.

Training

Training is strongly recommended. Begin for five to 10 minutes as pups and up to an hour each session with professional trainers. Irish Wolfhounds respond best to encouragement and food rewards.

Grooming

A total of 30-40 minutes a week is required, usually 10 minutes at a time, using a stiff brush through the coat. Ears should be checked for dirt and toenails trimmed if necessary.

History

The Irish Wolfhound has a mixed and bloody ancestry, with this type of dog being used to hunt large game for hundreds of years. Texts record the last wolf being killed in Ireland before 1800 and with the Great Famine of the 1840s, the breed began to seriously decline until the 1860s when its development was fostered by a British Army captain. In 19th century Australia, the Irish Wolfhound was used in crosses for kangaroo-hunting dogs.

National contacts

To find up-to-date contacts for breeders, contact the following organisations.

The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
www.ankc.org.au

Dogs NSW
http://www.dogsnsw.org.au/breeders-directory
Email: info@dogsnsw.org.au
Phone: 1300 728 022 (NSW only) or (02) 9834 3022
Fax: (02) 9834 3872

Dogs Victoria
http://www.vca.org.au
Email: office@dogsvictoria.org.au
Phone: (03) 9788 2500 
Fax: (03) 9788 2599

Dogs ACT
http://www.actca.asn.au
Email: info@dogsact.org.au

Dogs West
http://www.cawa.asn.au
Email: k9@dogswest.com
Phone: (08) 9455 1188
Fax: (08) 9455 1190

Dogs SA
http://dogssa.com.au
Phone: (08) 8349 4797

Canine Control Council of Queensland
http://www.cccq.org.au
Email: dogsqld@powerup.com.au
Phone: (07) 3252 2661
Fax: (07) 3252 3864

Tasmanian Canine Association
http://www.tasdogs.com
Email: tca@iprimus.com.au
Phone: (03) 6272 9443
Fax: (03) 6273 0844

Dogs NT
http://www.territorydogworld.com
Email: naca3@bigpond.com
Phone: (08) 8984 3570
Fax: (08) 8984 3409

Dog training book

Don Burke recommended a book on dog training as he introduced this week's pet road test. It was Who's the Boss? by Val Bonney. It is distributed in book stores nationally by Herron Books and should cost $19.95. If you have trouble finding it, copies can be purchased from the author at 34 Romea Street, The Gap, Qld, 4061. Please add $2 for postage and packaging.

Copyright 2006 CTC Productions