Torteval Irish Wolfhounds

What is an Irish wolfhound?
The Irish Wolfhound is one of the oldest breeds of dog, bred in Ireland for over 2,000 years to hunt wolves. Similar in appearance to a greyhound, but much larger and rough coated, an average male stands 34" at the shoulder, towers over most men when up on his back legs and can weigh up to 11-12 stone.

What is his temperament?
Typically, he is confident and friendly, never aggressive or timid. Sadly, as with all breeds, not all are typical.

Is he intelligent?
Yes, but don't confuse intelligence with obedience. He is clever enough to know what he wants and how to get it, and will manipulate you so subtly you won't even know it's happening. That's intelligence!

Is he easy to train?
No. He's a hound, bred for two thousand years to act independently. He can be trained, and should certainly be taught basic road-craft and good manners, but it's impossible for him to achieve the instant response of other breeds. When told to sit, he thinks about it. Then, if he considers it to be a reasonable request in the circumstances, he may decide to comply. If so, he will sit - but not necessarily where you want him to.

How much does he eat?
He requires good quality food, a huge amount as a puppy, when he gains 5-6lb a week. As an adult he eats in proportion to his size. He's not a 'foodie' dog, and won't look to share your food unless you permit it, but you will learn not to leave food unattended on a table. NB To reduce the risk of bloat (see below) he must be fed at least two, preferably three meals a day.

How much exercise does he need?
None as a small puppy as he is easily injured - his bones are soft and grow an inch a week (honest!), so he needs only gentle play and short walks to socialise him and accustomise him to the world.

How much grooming does he need?
Depends how you want him to look. Although show dogs don't look groomed, that rough-and-ready hairstyle is actually the result of many hours' work stripping and shaping the coat. An ungroomed wolfhound really looks ungroomed, but even if you opt for the shaggy hearthrug style, he will still need a weekly brush. Then there's bathing - twice a year is enough (unless he likes rolling in slurry) but you'll probably need wellies - and a sense of humour.

Can he live in kennels?
Well, yes, he can - but why? He needs company (at most, an adult wolfhound should be alone for no more than four hours a day), comfort (warmth in winter, cool in summer, good bedding) and space (see below). Why have a kennel when that's all available in your house? Your wolfhound should be where he belongs - in the heart of your home.

Does he need a large house and garden?
If your house is big enough for a sprawling teenager, and your garden is big enough for a couple of eight year old boys to romp, then that's fine. What a wolfhound needs is his own space within the house where he has a comfortable bed, and a securely fenced garden that he can enhance by the addition of a few strategically placed, well designed craters.

What health problems are associated with the breed?
The words porto-systemic shunt, gastric dilation/volvulus, cardiomyopathy and osteo-sarcoma strike terror into the hearts of wolfhound people. Briefly, porto-systemic shunt (liver shunt) affects puppies, often killing them before their first birthday; gastric dilation/volvulus (bloat) occurs when the stomach fills with air and rotates, and kills adult wolfhounds; cardiomyopathy (heart disease) and osteo-sarcoma (bone cancer) commonly occur in young adult wolfhounds and frequently kill.

What is his lifespan?
Short. A wolfhound lives at a rapid rate - to equate to human years his age is multiplied by 10, not 7. Up to a year old, he's a child, at one year old he's an adolescent, at two he's young and fit, at three he's mature, at four he may even be sensible, at five he thinks he knows it all, at six he's slowing down, at seven he's like an old man, at eight he is an old man; at nine he's doddery and at ten he gets a telegram from the Queen (well, he should!)

Are there any downsides to living with a wolfhound?
Two. Firstly, you must accept full responsibility for all his actions, bearing in mind that in today's anti-dog climate the larger the dog the greater the blame. Secondly, once you've had an Irish wolfhound, no other dog will do - they are addictive, and it's a rare person that can stop at one . . . or even two . . .

As he gets older, longer walks are introduced gradually. As an adult, he needs at least one, preferably two, good walks every day, with an opportunity for off-lead mooching and free galloping.

That's in all weathers, of course, though it's sensible to shorten walks when it's hot. Remember that as well as physical exercise, walks also provide essential mental and social stimulation and should be fun - for him and you.