Irish Wolfhound - description of the breed and character of the dog

The Irish Wolfhound is a true giant among other dogs, which has real power and strength, as well as affectionate and faithful love for the owner. This is a big greyhound with hard fur.

Appearance of the breed

The name already gives us to understand that Ireland is the birthplace of these dogs, and their main activity was hunting and tracking wolves. Wolfhound belongs to the category of greyhounds, the history of the breed is very old. To the same category can be attributed dirhaunda - the Scottish dog of the Olenegon. However, paying attention to the massive appearance of these dogs, you can see how they differ from the standard greyhounds.

There is information that the ancestors of the Irish still lived in the Celtic period in the British Isles, where they took a direct part in harassment of large wild animals, from wild boars and deer to wolves.Due to the hard coat, wolfhound could easily be in harsh conditions - in the rain or among thorny bushes.

The breed had a lot of legendary stories in its fate. In their list, for example, the myth that the first Irish wolfhound was turned into a mischievous and quarrelsome princess who refused to love the druid. From the puppies of this dog, and went the line of animals with ardent appearance, almost human intelligence and flowing in the veins of noble blood.

Since the seventeenth century, representatives of the breed were actively imported, and these dogs were almost not preserved in Ireland, therefore, to save the situation, a strict decree prohibiting the export of these animals was issued. Currently, Irish wolfhounds take part in royal ceremonies while serving in Buckingham.

Appearance

The head of these dogs is elongated, the muzzle is slightly sparse, the ears are not big, they are pulled back. The chest is wide, the back is even and extended, and the long tail on the tip is slightly wrapped.

In the area of ​​the head and on the ears, the wolfhound's fur is softer. The color is varied: from black or reddish to gray, brindle or white. The presence of light specks in the chest, paws or at the end of the tail is acceptable if the wolfhound itself has dark fur.

Character traits

Irish wolfhound has a balanced temper, can impress not only with its formidable appearance, but also with sufficient friendliness. Currently, these dogs have ceased to be fighters, guards or service animals, more performing the role of a loyal companion and friend to wealthy people.

Dogs are great for small children, they can also coexist peacefully with other pets, without attacking smaller and weaker creatures. In this case, of course, should not be long to leave the child in company with a pet alone.

Being a sensitive dog, the wolfhound perceives badly quarrels in the family, can be offended by excessive rudeness in the voice and sometimes gets sick along with the beloved owner.These dogs do not tolerate limited spaces, will not be able to live happily in an aviary, where they will be crowded and lonely. Consequently, despite its size, the wolfhound is a domestic dog. The ideal place to live will be a house in the country, where you will be able to run into the nearby territory. And in the evening to lie down at the owner's feet near the fireplace.

The Irish Wolfhound has a developed intellect and excellent abilities for training and education. In order for the dog to develop adequately, it is extremely important for him to receive from the owner the necessary amount of attention and tenderness. Even some strict measures for the sake of punishment must be accompanied by kindness and tranquility. Usually wolfhounds master the basic commands and a number of simple skills. If you plan to keep your dog at home, then it is forbidden to train your pet to guard and guard teams, otherwise dangerous instincts can wake up in it.

The following recommendation will be the main rule in the training and maintenance of the Irish Wolfhound - in no case do not beat your pet. If you yourself are not good at raising a puppy, contact a specialist for help.A professional with experience in dog training can make your wolfhound obedient.

Wolfhounds have a tremendous need in a host society or other people. If the dog gets bored, he will turn into a disobedient animal, will begin to harm and arrange leprosy. A puppy a year old, for example, for one hour can make a real mess in the room.

Representatives of this breed have one feature - their maturation is slow, and the puppy becomes an adult dog rather late. They are allowed to make jumps after 12 months, and then another year should be spent on training. Of course, they are less fast than a golden retriever or a border collie, but, nevertheless, have sufficient tenacity and diligence. Therefore, the Agility Irish wolfhounds often successfully compete with the most agile breeds, and can take prizes.

Features care and maintenance

While in the apartment, the wolfhound is usually inconspicuous, and the only thing he will need is a spacious corner for sleeping, as well as the possibility to be in the process of walking without control using a leash.

Since the Irish wolfhound can very strongly feel attachment to its owner, which can result in even the death of an animal when the owner is absent for a long time, it should be taught from a puppy age to ensure that it remains without problems in the community of other households.

Care:

1. To care for the coat of a pet is quite simple, this process does not cause much trouble. It is necessary to periodically use a comb, and sometimes expose the dog to water procedures - no more than once a season. It is advisable to use a metal comb and a brush with natural bristles. Combing not only helps to maintain the coat in proper cleanliness, but in the process the pet will increase blood circulation, dead hair is eliminated, and the wolfhound itself feels pleasure from the massage.
2. First, a metal comb is used, the hair is combed in the direction from the head to the body, and then to the tail. After that paws are combed out. Then a brush is used - first movements against the growth of the wool are made, and then - in the direction.Also at the end of the procedure, you can use a slightly damp towel to remove dust accumulated in the wool. For the sake of aesthetics, dog owners usually use a trimmer to make the head, neck and ears more attractive and exquisite.
3. For the Irish Wolfhound perfect dry cleaning method, which uses dry shampoo. The product is rubbed into the coat and then the comb is used for combing.
4. Also, once a month, you should cut the pet's claws. To do this, use a nail clipper, designed for large breeds. Given the large length of the claws, the procedure must be performed in several stages. You should definitely pay attention to the condition of your pet's claws - by nature they may be excessively bent, and if they grow too strong, the wolfhound will experience discomfort and even pain while walking.
5. It is recommended to use dog paste for cleaning teeth. Apply the product to the pet's teeth using an ordinary toothbrush or a special nozzle for a finger. To eliminate plaque on the teeth, bones are offered for chewing.Healthy teeth look nice, their color is pink, and there is no bleeding or plaque.
6. For a healthy ear condition, it is necessary to periodically inspect them, use wet disks made of cotton to remove dust and sulfur fragments from the ear. If there is a bad smell from the ears, you can see excess sulfur or your pet shakes its head frantically, you should immediately consult a doctor.
7. After each walk, you must rinse the paws and inspect the pads to prevent damage. Wool that grows between the fingers must be removed. In winter, you can use vegetable oil in order to lubricate the paw pads. This will help avoid the occurrence of cracks.
8. It is also equally important to monitor the condition of the eyes of your pet. It is advisable once a week to use chamomile broth or warm water for washing. Healthy eyes do not have redness, tearing or souring. If such signs were noted, you must take your dog to the vet.

The pet should be taught these care procedures from puppyhood, and then the adult will calmly relate to them.After each hygienic procedure it is necessary to encourage the pet, having treated him with some dog dessert.

Nutrition

For these large representatives of the canine, it is important to receive timely and balanced nutrition, which must be of high quality. Again, it is worthwhile to ensure that the animal does not eat food with excess and does not eat high-calorie food. 700 grams of dry food per day is enough for an adult dog. Sometimes, to pamper a pet, you can offer him fruit. After feeding it is important to use a damp cloth in order to eliminate fragments from food from the wolfdog's beard.

At a young age it is necessary to pay special attention to the proper feeding of the puppy. It is necessary to thoroughly approach the choice of a vitamin-mineral complex in order to avoid troubles with the health and well-being of the pet. And this, again, will require specific investments and recommendations from specialists.

Health representatives of this breed

Typically, representatives of this amazing breed live relatively short - about 9-11 years. Also, dogs have a tendency to a number of unpleasant diseases.Most often there are hereditary diseases associated with the joints of the paws or excessive weight: osteosarcoma, dislocated knee, hip dysplasia.

In addition, the Irish wolfhound often suffers from abdominal distention, cataracts, hypothyroidism, and abnormalities in the functioning of the heart muscle.

Separately, the health of the pet is threatened by fleas or ticks. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically treat the skin and wool of the wolfhound from parasites. After each forest walk, you need to check if your pet has such parasites. Special attention during the inspection should be paid to the abdomen, neck, paws, ears.

Fleas can cause itching, dermatitis in the dog, they suffer infections or turn into allergies, and can lead to anemia. A common ixodic tick is a carrier of piroplasmosis, a disease that can result in the death of a dog. These mites are usually more active and more dangerous in the period from early spring to autumn.

If you have found such a tick on your pet, do not panic. If possible, you need to go with the dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible, where the tick will be eliminated, the dog will be examined and immediately analyzed for piroplasmosis.

At home, you can personally eliminate the tick:

1. On the area where there is a tick, apply a couple of drops of vegetable oil.
2. Using tweezers or tick twister, the head of the tick should be grasped as close as possible to the skin and gently unscrew the parasite from the dog's skin in a circular motion.
3. The remaining wound should be examined - perhaps there remained the head of the parasite. Then the bite is treated with an antiseptic.

Over the next days you need to pay full attention to the well-being of the pet. If the dog behaves actively, his appetite does not disappear, and the temperature is absent, then all is well.

But if there is a loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, yellowness of the proteins of the eyeballs and brownish color of urine, then this is a reason to urgently contact the experts.

As a preventive measure against fleas and ticks, you can use the following:

1. Drops (must be applied once a month on withers, and then not subject the pet to water procedures for up to 10 days).
2. Tablets (for oral administration, can provide protection for up to 3 months).
3. Collar (able to protect a pet for up to six months, if worn constantly).
4. Spray (before each run it is necessary to process the wolfhound coat,place of sleep and his clothes).

Puppy price

It is hard enough to acquire puppies of this breed, as they are rare. And even the most budget individuals who do not have documentation, can cost about $ 650. If the puppy is elite, and his parents are show dogs, then the cost sometimes reaches $ 3,400 or more.

Video: Irish Wolfhound dog breed