IRISH WOLFHOUND FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Please support the Channel by checking out my affiliate links!!!

Become a Dogumentary TV Channel member!!!

For great web hosting cheeck out!!!

Visit my Amazon store!!!
The Irish Wolfhound has a legacy as a dog of war and hunting dog. This massive breed is the tallest dog in the canine world, When standing on their hind legs some Irish Wolfhounds are over seven feet tall. If you are considering an Irish Wolfhound as your next pet here are five things you should know.

5. The Irish Wolfhound is a gigantic breed and not suited for apartment living. Even though the breed is relatively inactive indoors it’s sheer mass demands a lot of space. Additionally, you will need a vehicle big enough to transport the dog to and from the Vet, a mini van or sport utility vehicle would be a good start.

4. In addition to a home, the Irish Wolfhound will need a large yard. This breed is a sighthound, and therefore predisposed to chasing small to large game. So be sure that your yard’s fencing is secure. In addition to the freeplay in the yard your Irish Wolfhound will need daily walks.

3. The coat on the Irish Wolfhound is rough and medium in length. This dog needs regular and thorough grooming with a brush and comb. In addition twice a year you’ll need to pluck the coat to remove excess dead hair.

2. The Irish Wolfhound is prone to several health problems familiar to large breeds, cardiomyopathy, bone cancer, bloat, hip dysplasia and Von Willebrands. Along with a short life expectancy of only 6 to 8 years, it is important to provide your wolfhound with an excellent diet and regular and appropriate exercise to insure the best quality of life possible.

1. Because the Irish Wolfhound will grow into a gigantic and powerful dog, training and socialization are of the utmost importance. Begin training your puppy immediately. Even at eight weeks an Irish Wolfhound has the intelligence to soak up what you're teaching him. And be sure when your Irish Wolfhound is 30 inches at the withers and weighing in excess of 175 pounds, you will appreciate his sociability and ability to follow directions.

[sicroff]

This is not all strictly accurate. Like any dog, an Irish Wolfhound can die at 6 years, just you or I can die at 50. But that is not a useful generalization. Eight years is not "old" for a wolfhound, but you are likely to see medical problems such as arthritis, and you have to be careful about the heart. Most vets won't catch cardiomyopathy until it's too late, but there are meds that can help. Pneumonia is common, but hard to detect, as the wolfhound has a much lower white blood count than other breeds, so that a vet will discount infection as a cause of symptoms and leap to the conclusion that the problem is cancer. Meanwhile, pneumonia could have been treated. You also have to be vigilant about recurrence. The usual symptom of serious pneumonia seems to be a peculiar stance, front legs wide apart (to facilitate air intake), next extended stiffly. My first wolfhound died at 11y3m, when I had to put her down due to previously undetected cardiomyopathy. The second died unnecessarily of pneumonia at somewhat over 8. If our vet had known what I wrote above, she would have made it for several more years, as she was in otherwise good health. The third died at 8y5m. He had advanced hip arthritis and a very bad case of cardiomyopathy. We discovered the heart problem when he got bloat, at 6. The heart condition made treatment tricky, but he pulled through and functioned well for another two years. Our other two wolfhounds are 6 (and in perfect health) and 1 (still a growing pup). The REALLY important things you need to know about wolfhounds are these: 1) You will get constant attention, stupid jokes and comments. Most common: That's not a dog, it's a horse! (And then you're expected to laugh.) Walking through a crowded area will be extremely slow, as you will be stopped incessantly by people with questions like "How much does it eat?" "They don't live very long, do they?" "Where does it sleep? Anywhere it wants? heh-heh" "What is the breed used for?" "Is that a labradoodle?" 2) People seem to think that the amount of food a dog eats is a big consideration. The cost of dog food is totally negligible compared to what you will eventually spend on health issues. A regime of antibiotics can easily cost over $100. We spent upwards of $8000 on the last two year's of one dog's life, just for vets and meds. If you need a hip replacement, that's in the $5000 range. On the subject of food, IW pups should be fed senior diets to slow their growth. 3) Wolfhounds can be very needy. They always want to be with you. They howl when you are away and disturb your neighbors. Maybe not all of them, but all of mine. On the other hand, you don't have problems with IWs that run away, like beagles. Wolfhounds always want to be in eye contact, and they will rarely let a stranger put a leash on them and take them away. They just lie down and roll over. Boarding a wolfhound when you travel is absolutely cruel. You will have to plan your vacations -- and work -- around the possibility of accommodating your dog. I did take my first one to Switzerland and then Nepal, and back to the States, but it was amazingly difficult, and stupid. Don't get a wolfhound if you intend to globetrot, unless you have a family member who will stay home and take care of it.

Wolfhounds are usually not comfortable lying on hard surfaces. They absolutely must be allowed to use the couches, and your bed. Plan for that.

Another thing the video got wrong is the last sentence about size. A dog 30" at the withers (top of shoulders) is small, even for a female. More common is 32" to 37". The narrator says something about a 30" dog weighing 170 pounds. That's crazy. Maybe 130, unless it's obese. Our current female is 32.5" and weighs about 135. However, it is not at all uncommon for male dogs to weigh well upwards of 200 lb. I once tried to hold the leash of a young dog that stood 36" and weighed 225 pound. When his owner left and Jack (the dog) didn't want to be restrained, he pushed me over with no problem at all, and I am 6', and was around 225 at the time and quite use to holding wolfhounds. He had the neck strength of a cow.

Wolfhounds are sensitive. Do not get one if you have anger management issues. They should not be hit, yanked, or yelled at. All they want in life is to be with you. And to kill animals. Mice, squirrels, woodchucks, deer, your neighbor's cat. Your cats will be okay.

There's more to say, and there are places to read about the breed... eg www.iwane.org

[DIRTYCHIF]

Just met one of these dogs today while I was taking my 12 week husky for a walk down by the lake. I seriously thought it was a wolf. Until I seen the owner coming up behind him. My pup stopped in his tracks when seeing him, the wolf hound came rushing in at him and stopped hard and greeted him politely. Such a friendly dog. Still couldn’t believe the size of him.

[AJ-kbkf]

Zeke I'm happy for you man. I'm glad that you have branched out to all other breeds. Not only do you have the best animal youtube channel and interview, but your showing all african american brothers that there is more to life than just being an actor, singer, rapper, or athlete. Keep breaking those doors down brother.

[Deehounds]

Nice My favorite Breed Definitely My next Dog pet

[uptonsavoie]

Some viewers might think that you are trying to talk prospective owners out of getting an IW.  Actually, you are doing both the breed and the human inquirer a big favor.  Many videos on  breeds hype the good points to the limit so that the prospective purchaser thinks that this is a miracle dog that will never be a problem.  They find out otherwise the hard way and the dog has an unhappy life and often is put up for adoption.  The Wolfie is a wonderful dog but definitely not for every person or every situation.  Thank you.

[georgecharlesnelsoniii]

Mine just really loves running! We go on a hike almost everyday! She is 4 and healthy.

[truthfulguysantana]

Majestic looking breed. Very intriguing.

[dextriathlon]

Dude, first the Dutch Shepherd, which is the dog I want. And now the Irish Wolfhound, the dog my gf wants. You sir, are on a roll!

[martinmcdonald]

The most majestic of all breeds both great and small. Smartest too!

[robertrohde]

My last Irish Wolfhound was 38 and a half inches at the shoulder and weighed 207 pounds. They are the king of the dog world. As the saying goes ( Anything but an Irish Wolfhound is just another dog ). I was raised with and have owned Newfoundlands, owned Irish Wolfhounds, and a Mastiff as far as giant breeds go and the number one dog for me is the Irish Wolfhound!

[fayecummings]

Running out of compliments to give you for all the fantastic content on your channel! Look forward to every new video!

[crwcgge]

Love this. My Wolfie is 165 and 10mnths old. He is very social. Squirrels he sees and sits for them as he knows that I love them and not to chase. Super trainable dogs but very large and they need a large home. They are not just very tall but long and so a large home is a must.

[merkin_muffley]

The noblest dog. I'd have one if I had the time and space to give it the life it deserved. Your five comments are right on.

[Hyena_Heckler]

Another fact (from experience)
The fur, we groom ours quite frequently and he still rubs hair everywhere

[CCCreslessCCC]

Thank you for this Video. Now i learned something more. I never thought the irish wolfhounds are so big. Very special Dogs.

cheers from Germany and Turkey

[ShikataGaNai]

Our Irish Wolfhound was 36", and around 180#...and he lived happily in our apartment, with frequent walks and play sessions. He also loved our tiny 1971 Toyota Corona, where he took up the entire back seat. Other than that, everything you said about the breed is true. Sadly, he only lived for 8 years, which, even more sadly, is about average for Wolfhounds. I will never forget his sweet spirit.

[bigskytheroy]

The best breed of dog. Smart, gentle, easy to train, happy go lucky, just they scare the shit out of people when they meet them for the first time. Then they die young and brake your heart.

[SeeBillyRun]

Amazing! Thanks for posting this! I'm looking forward to a longer documentary of the this breed. Number 6 thing you should know is Meeko, from Skyrim, is based off an Irish Wolfhound 😃

[snowcloud]

Irish Wolfhound....a beautiful and lovable breed.

[kylek]

I shall call him Gandalf, and he must wear a bitchin wizard hat at all times.