Irish Wolfhound: breed description, nature and content

Irish Wolfhound is a breed that looks very impressive. It can be called a real Gulliver among all the other dogs. This majestic dog has the greatest growth, but at the same time manages to remain an exceptionally graceful and attractive creature.

Irish wolfhounds are considered the oldest breed in the world. Nowadays, these dogs have become a symbol of the Irish army and one of the distinctive signs of the country like bears in Russia.

The name of the breed reflects the historical features of the formation of this species of animals. For the first time in Britain, these dogs were brought to the Celts - this happened even 300 years BC. e., respectively, the age of the breed has more than two thousand years. The ancestors of these dogs were common in ancient Rome, where they were used to harass animals in circuses. Thanks to exceptional courage, nobility and kindness, these animals for their courage, exceptional kindness and prudence, which are combined in this creature, many legends are made about them.

For a long time dogs were widely used. for scaring wolves and while hunting foxes, bears and elks. By the middle of the XVIII century, all wolves in the country were almost completely exterminated, so the main purpose of the animals lost its power. During this period, the breed was on the verge of extinction. A new surge in popularity came only in the middle of the XVIII century. Thus, in 1885, the first in Ireland club of this breed was opened, headed by the famous captain Graham, and a year later, the founders established the annual Graham Transition Shield award, which was presented to dogs that retained the maximum number of pedigree characteristics of their ancestors.

It is noteworthy that in this case the founder himself, in attempts to revive the endangered breed, often crossed wolfhounds with dirhounds and Danish dogmas.

Today, these magnificent animals have become a true symbol of the Irish national spirit, reflecting their character and strength.

The huge dog bears a great resemblance to the dirhound. This giant has a tender and friendly character and sincerely shows his feelings and emotions towards the breeder and all his household. The dog is not particularly important comfort, she will be happy, even walking in the rain and snow - the main thing that her beloved owner was near.

Dogs of this breed have exceptional working features - they are often compared to a lion during a hunt and a meek lamb is at home. This animal, without the slightest hesitation, will enter into battle with a dangerous predator and can come out with a victory even from a fight with several opponents at the same time.

The description of the Irish breed has a fairly clear standard:

• Torso - powerful, lean and stretched.
• Back - necessarily straight, a significant difference between the croup and withers is not allowed.
• Neck - elongated, but with developed muscles, rather dry, without pronounced inclination and noticeable sags. The transition from the withers to the neck is clearly visible.
• Head - triangular, slightly elongated.

Muzzle - long, dry. The forehead gently goes into the face without any differences and angles. Ears are triangular, hanging type. The eyes are rather large, almond-shaped, the iris is black. The lips are also black in color, they are pressed tightly against the teeth. The back of the nose is usually straightened, also black.

• The maw has the usual scissor bite, the canines are quite sharp, so this dog's grip is excellent.
• Sternum muscular, rather broad, rounded.
• The paws are elongated, the hock joints are well developed, in the process of stand they are arranged in parallel.
• The paw pads are fleshy, very large. The claws are powerful, their hue directly depends on the color of the animal. Paws in the run move rapidly, but it is extremely graceful.
• The tail is straightened, long, not twisted into a ringlet. When a dog experiences an influx of emotions, it rises upwards, at another time it is mostly lowered.
• Wool is wire-like, stiff with a thick undercoat, hair above the sockets is elongated. A distinctive feature of the Irish Wolfhound breed is considered to be a shaggy elongated beard.
• The height at the withers of males is at least 79 cm, the growth of the bough starts from 72 cm.
• The body weight of an adult animal varies from 40.5 to 55 kg.
• The suit can be light brown, red or wheat. Slightly less common are Irish wolfhounds of black color with tan and tiger.

Irish Wolfhound is an educated and noble animal. His character and behavior has a number of features.

Irish wolfhounds truly love their owner, they sincerely become attached as the owner, and to his family members, and if, due to some circumstances, they lose them, they always long and hard. Dog is different attentiveness and obedience, very sensitive to any changes in the mood and emotional manifestations of the owner.

Young puppies are easy to train - they can be trained very quickly to all the main teams.however, as the dog grows older, it begins to show stubbornness and even rigidity, therefore this breed is not the best choice for beginners in dressure. From time to time the Irish wolfhound begins to show its independent character and independence - this is expressed in the fact that the pet begins to run away from its owner during walks, rush for cats and other dogs.

The animal favors the rest of the pets in the house, the only exceptions are birds and rodents - they will certainly become objects of the hunt of the dog.

This huge dog can be easily trusted with a small child. You can leave them in the same room without fear - the wolfhound will never hurt the baby and in any situation will be extremely careful with respect to him. Dogs stoically carry pulls by the tail, they easily allow to wag themselves by the beard, squeeze and hold in their hands.

Irish Wolfhounds completely do not tolerate separation from their loved ones and if the separation is longthen may wither away from feelings and longing.This dog, in principle, does not tolerate prolonged loneliness, easily falls into apathy, because he is not advised to keep in a covered aviary - he should always be able to contact with people and other pets.

The breed will not be the best choice if you need the animal as a watchman, as the Irish Wolfhound can frighten unwelcome guests solely with its dimensions, but otherwise it will not be the first to show cruelty, bark and throw.

Deerhound is one of the varieties of greyhounds. At one time, the breed of wolfhounds in Ireland was almost completely exterminated, and dirhaunds were used for its preservation and restoration, since this dog is as similar to it in appearance as possible. That is why animals have such strong similarities that a layman can easily confuse them.

Dogs of both species are distinguished by the presence of a beard and belonging to the category of wire-haired greyhounds, this is where the similarities end. But the behavioral characteristics of these animals are diametrically opposed.

Deerhound is a real storm, you can hunt with it, the dog has a really mad temperament. They are gambling hunters, athletes, because they are often dangerous for cats and small dogs. In general, the dirhound character resembles a Russian greyhound to a much greater degree than a wolfhound, respectively, dirhound is best to live in those families where the owners lead an active lifestyle, value movement and sport.

Compared to them, Irish wolfhounds are true sybarites, they can never be woken by cats, mice, birds or rabbits, but they will simply not allow them to fall asleep.

Choosing a puppy, it should be borne in mind that wolfhounds-males are much more straightforward and open than bitches, so if you first get an animal of this breed, prefer boys, it will be much easier to negotiate with them. In order to assess the nature of the future pet, it is better to choose a puppy grown, rather than a two-month-old, as is customary in most breeders. The fact is that the very young Irish individual behavioral features are poorly expressed, they all, without exception, give the impression of cute and funny little animals.

Be sure to meet the parents of the selected puppy. This will help you to better understand the prospects for the growth and development of your pet.

An important factor is the age of the mother of the puppy offered to you. If a puppy from a dog over 5 years old is put up for sale, it is highly likely that he will be weak and sick.

Be sure to check for a veterinary passport and make sure that the animal has been given all the necessary vaccinations.

In a good nursery, newborn puppies are required to test for some genetic pathologies, therefore If the results of such a study are in the map - this will be a big plus in relation to the breeder.

Unscrupulous breeders often overcharge, citing the rarity of colors - this is a hoax. The cost of the Irish wolfhound is in no way connected with its suit. When buying an older puppy, you should certainly ask his salesman if any commands are known to your pet.Usually a good breeder wolfhounds at a very early age already know a few basic commands and respond well to a leash.

Pet comfort depends on the efforts and enthusiasm of its owner. It is best for dogs to live in the house, but it can also be comfortable for an animal in a small apartment if it has its own couch in a corner where people will not touch it.

If the dog is constantly walking, then the content in the apartment will not make any inconvenience to the wolfhound. Keep in mind that dogs of this species are contraindicated on hard surfaces, because they have a rather thin layer of subcutaneous fat, and the joints are rather sensitive, therefore many pets are welcome hosts allowed to lie on their sofas and armchairs. If you are categorically opposed to such decisions, arrange soft and comfortable bed pillow. Your pet will certainly accept such care with great gratitude.

Keeping a wolfhound in an aviary is the most extreme measure as an animal tolerates loneliness very badly. If, however, the situation does not allow the dog to provide other conditions of detention, then try not to leave it to winter in such a competition, even if it is insulated - this is not only cruel, but also harmful to the pet's health.

It is very important to pay special attention to hygiene.. This dog’s hard coat requires frequent brushing with a brush and comb. Thus, you can very quickly and painlessly comb out all molting hairs and get rid of the small debris that the animal collects during walks.

From the point of view of physiology, the wolfhound does not require a haircut, but still many breeders slightly shorten their pets' hair on their paws, as well as under the tail - in those places where it quickly and most gets dirty. It is not necessary to cut the hairs on the face, but care is needed. Immediately after feeding, you must wipe his mustache and beard with a clean cloth.

The owner of the exhibition wolfhounds additional trimming, but in most cases, not all the animal is tweaked completely, but only his head, and correctly perform it manually, armed with a special silicone fingertip. Usually trimming from the ears - from the outside of the ear, the hairs are plucked until they are smooth. The procedure is also carried out in the area between the eyes in the direction from the forehead to the skull, along the line of the cheeks, and also the neck. Processing is carried out approximately 1-1.5 months before the competition.

Irish wolfhounds are washed a couple of times a year or, if absolutely necessary, if the animal is very dirty. For treatments suitable nourishing shampoos for dogs with sensitive skin.

Once a week, the Irish should clean their ears. This procedure is not difficult - you just need to treat the inner surface of the auricle with a special veterinary lotion applied on a piece of fleece. Eyes also require regular processing. - they should be wiped with a weak solution of furatsilina or chamomile infusion about once a week.

Caring for claws and teeth is simple. The claws should be periodically cut with a claw cutter, and the teeth 3-4 times a month should be cleaned with a cleaning nozzle to remove plaque.

Be sure to inspect your pet's paw pads after a walk - if they look healthy and have no pronounced damage on them, then wash with warm water and just blot with a soft towel. In winter, the pet's skin sometimes cracks from frost - then, after washing, additionally lubricate it with a fat baby cream or vegetable oil.

Dogs of this size must walk on a leash, best belt.

If there is a possibility, allow the animals to run into plenty, but if you are walking near the road or in sight of stray cats, it is better not to let the reason out of your hands. Until one year, animals of this breed are strictly forbidden to jumps, so it is desirable to practice various acrobatic numbers only after your pet's musculoskeletal system is strengthened.

If your walks take place in a forest park, more often or in small forests, then be sure to carry out the treatment of ticks, and when you come home, be sure to inspect the withers, armpits and groin area of ​​the Irish. If a spider-shaped is found, it must be removed from the body of the animal and then closely monitor the condition of the dog for a couple of days. If you notice that the animal does not behave as usual, then this should be cause of immediate treatment to the vet.

Most often, representatives of this breed suffer from:

• hypothyroidism;
• osteosarcomas;
• Wobbler syndrome;
• hip dysplasia;
• purulent lesions of the skin;
• dislocation of the patella;
• cataracts;
• turn of the century;
• cardiomyopathy;
• shoulder osteochondrosis;
• intestinal turning;
• blood clotting diseases.

When feeding dogs of this breed, it should be understood that most of the menu should be necessarily meat or premium or super premium ready-made feeds. That is why it should be clearly understood that feeding such an animal costs its owners a pretty penny, and this fact must be kept in mind before buying a pet, so that it does not save money on food, replacing the meat proteins it needs with vegetable proteins.

Beef and veal have the greatest benefits, from time to time you can replace them with chicken meat, but it is not recommended to completely transfer the dog to birds. Of course, instead of meat, you can sometimes give fish or offal. In this case, the fish should be taken only lean white, and offal - the highest quality, preferably liver and heart.

The diet of the animal must include cereals, their share in each dish should be about a third of the total feed. Dogs shown oats, as well as buckwheat or millet.

It will be useful to include kefir, low-fat cottage cheese, and roasted and chopped vegetables (pumpkin, zucchini, cauliflower) in the diet of the animal. Any seasonal greens or germinated grains can be added to the mash.

Potatoes are acceptable for feeding an animal, but rarely and in small quantities. Bones are given to dogs of this breed only after they have reached the age of three months, otherwise they can spoil their teeth. Adolescents and adult puppies need from time to time to give a cut of beef spine - this is how they train the grip of the jaw and get the dose of collagen they need. Bones are not recommended for old and weak animals - not so hard treats from a veterinary store will do for them. They softer effect on tooth enamel and do not lead to the development of constipation.

The task of each responsible owner is to teach your pet to rest after a snack from the very first days.

Wolfhawk puppies will grow very quickly, because breeders often begin to increase the food for their pet - this is a common mistake of beginning dog breeders. The young wolfhound should receive food strictly in accordance with the doses developed by veterinarians, otherwise there is a high risk of overfeeding the animal.

Of course, a well-fed Irishman looks much prettier than his lean relatives, but any extra kilogram creates an increased load on the musculoskeletal system, and the pet's body will react to such an increase in weight in the most unfavorable way.

An essential item in the diet should be dietary supplements and vitamin-mineral complexes, especially if the animal eats "naturalkoy." Preference should be given to compounds with chondroitin and glucosamine, to improve the quality of wool, you should look at drugs with omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids.

Dogs aged 1 to 3 months are fed 4-5 times a day, animals from 3 months to six months require three feedings a day with an interval of 4-5 hours. After six months, you can transfer the puppy to two meals. If the dog is weakened, it makes sense to continue three meals a day until he reaches one year old.

Wolfhounds from Ireland have a very restrained and friendly disposition, but to raise guards or bodyguards from this breed of dogs is absolutely empty. Leave this role to Caucasian Shepherd Dogs or Rottweilers. All kinds of freebies, agality and weight pulling will not bring any pleasure to the animals, but they will certainly lead to problems with the joints, so you should not write down your pet for sports training. But you can try racing and kursing, but only if the animal has no cardiovascular pathologies.

And yet the animal needs serious education and training. You can take this responsibility on yourself or turn to the services of professionals. It is very important that the dog be motivated to achieve the goal and go on contact with the person. Dog training should be based on full mutual respect.

It does not make sense to “rape” your pet by repeated repetitions of the same exercise. You should do a couple of approaches, after which the dog needs an hour or two of rest. After that, you can repeat the studied command. This technique will give the result faster, weeks many hours of chewing each exercise.

Starting from a month, a puppy can be taught to a leash, and you can let the little one run around the neighborhood only if he has learned well such commands as “to me” and “near”. Start better with short walks. If you see that the pet is barely lagging behind you, then this means that you have overdone with exercise and the dog needs to rest home more quickly.

Young wolfhounds have a well pronounced reflex, therefore it is necessary to work out his grip on special toys and hands of the breeder. At the same time, it is extremely important to immediately explain to your pet which items you can try to try, and which ones are strictly prohibited. In no case do not shake or apply other measures of physical impact in relation to the baby who has accidentally bitten you. In this case, the only thing you will achieve is to grow an embittered nervous dog with a developed complex of distrust towards people.

For such noble and large animals usually use the appropriate names. So, suitable nicknames for males are Scout, Walt, Harold, Casper, Chester, Rex, Butler, Rudolph, Zidane, Olwe, Duncan, Luke, Nord, Lifan, Ernie, Olympus, Zeus, Mike.

Females are commonly called Amber, Gerda, Tesa, Ward, Ollie, Alice, Tori, Black, Gretta, Alma, Tiara and other similar names.

On the features of this breed of dogs, see the following video.