It is no surprise that dogs come in various appearance and sizes; some dogs are known for adorable and small size, while other boasts their massive bodies. Most of the time, these large dogs are capable of working in different types of canine tasks, such as guarding, police works, hunting, and so on.
Interestingly, there are numerous large dogs on the list of breeds; however, one breed that is often considered the largest is the Irish Wolfhound. This breed is known for its significant size and muscular body. At the same time, size is not the only thing that makes the Irish Wolfhound an attractive breed; it also flaunts its long term employment in the hunting field, as well as in other jobs. Its massive and powerful body allows it to excel in different works; that is why many dog lovers genuinely admire it.
Origins of the Irish Wolfhound
Besides the Irish Wolfhound’s significantly large body, it also came from a time in history, dating back from ancient times. We can trace back the origins of the Irish Wolfhound to hundreds of years ago; there is no concrete historical record about the breed’s origins. However, several myths show that this breed was a product of crossing large Britain dogs and Middle Eastern coursing hounds.
The giant Irish breed was a significant dog during that time, wherein seven dogs of this breed were sent to Rome during the 4th century. Ever since its early introduction to the Roman Empire, it already earned its reputation as an incredible hunting dog, taking down massive beasts, such as the Irish elk.
The greatness of the Irish hound remained over the years; in the 15th century, the breed made a breakthrough in its expertise. Besides hunting large creatures, the Irish hound was then used to take down wolves roaming the countryside. As expected, the breed did an incredible job in hunting down these creatures; its work was good enough to bring the animals to the brink of extinction. At first, it may sound that the Irish Wolfhound got a boost on its career; however, the event left the breed unemployed for a long time, which also made it nearly extinct.
Interestingly, some people couldn’t stand how this great breed almost got erased in history. That is why some concerned dog enthusiasts, such as the British army captain George Augustus Graham, started searching for remaining specimens of the breed in the late 19th century. Furthermore, he made sure to preserve, protect, and simply bring the breed to former glory. His hard work paid off, and succeeded in restoring the breed; today, the Irish Wolfhound continues to showcase its outstanding characteristics and dominates the field with its exceptional skills.
Characteristics of the Irish Wolfhound
Height: 30 – 32 inches
Weight: 105 – 120 pounds
Life Expectancy: 6 – 8 years
Hypoallergenic: No
There are a lot of things that make the Irish Wolfhound unique, and one of them is its incredibly massive size. This dog could stand up to a whopping thirty-two inches tall and weighs up to 120 pounds; its significantly large size earned it recognition as the tallest breed. Along with its massive body is a muscular and athletic physique, which allows it to excel in various types of canine tasks.
The Irish Wolfhound is not limited to a robust and extensive appearance; it also possesses an elegant look, mainly because of its coat. It has a rough and hard coat, which adds to its toughness; it comes in various colors, such as white, gray, brindle, black, and fawn. Its face has an innocent look with its eyes that express a dignified and calm nature.
Moreover, the Irish Wolfhound already showcased several of its excellent qualities over the years. It is undoubtedly proficient when it comes to the hunting field, being able to hunt down large beasts, as well as ferocious wolves. Its long legs allow it to burst at extreme speeds, which also contributes to its hunting ability. In addition to hunting, the Irish Wolfhound also works well as a guard dog. It is known for its deep devotion towards its family and master; that is why it won’t stop when given a task until it gets the job done.