His name up to this time had been Setanta, but he is much better known as Cu-Chulainn, "the Hound of Culann. About the third or fourth century there flourished the mighty warrior and huntsman, Finn, son of Cumall, celebrated in the cycles of the poet Oisin. We are told his Hounds numbered three hundred and his puppies, two hundred. Finn had a favorite Hound named Conbec, and not in all Ireland might any stag whatsoever, at which he was slipped, find covert before Conbec would head him off and run him right back up to Finn's main pack, and to their attendants.
And it is said that neither did Hound other than Conbec "ever sleep in the one bed with Finn. A pang to me was Conbec's tragic fate, Conbec of the hoarse deep voice; Never have I seen one more expert of foot At killing buck without delay. A pang to me was Conbec's death, Over the high green billows, His cruel death was a cause of strife, His fate was most pitiful.
There are various descriptions of great hunts organized by the Fianna. They tell how the chiefs of heroes, with their Hounds, would take their places on commanding heights, while their followers with lesser dogs sought out and drove the game over a large area. When the game came in sight, the chiefs would slip their Hounds at it.
Sometimes as many as two hundred stags would be taken in one hunt. Miss Gardner writes, "Many hill-tops still bear names which mean the seat of such and such a hero, i. Suidhe Fergus, in Arran, is a case in point, being a hill with a very wide view in the centre of a district full of Celtic legend. White on tip of tail and feet and legs is acceptable, but excess white spotting blaze or collar is not. There is also a color in the breed that is considered impermissible — blue.
In the past, if this color occurred the affected puppies were put down at birth or as soon after as their color became obvious. Wolfhounds usually adore children. However, they are not always good with other animals, especially smaller ones, due to their hunting instinct.
They are sometimes used in Scotland for herding sheep and are said to be almost as good as the border collies. They are not considered the brightest of dogs, compared to border collies or other breeds. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! Related: Animals. Toggle navigation. Irish soldiers who died in World War I listed in new online database. To illustrate the goal he was breeding toward, Graham commissioned a local artist to paint a life-size cardboard model of his ideal Irish Wolfhound.
Painted gray, it measured 35 inches at the shoulder, with a girth that Graham estimated at some 42 inches and a weight of pounds. The model has long since been scrapped, but a photograph of Graham posing with it survives. The two-dimensional dog looks for all the world like a modern Irish Wolfhound, with the requisite mass and substance, but still retaining its flowing, Greyhound-like lines — an important point to remember in a breed where the emphasis is sometimes placed exclusively on sheer size.
Graham himself was wary of putting such a premium on size that it eclipsed all else. By , the breed was stable enough that Graham and others founded the Irish Wolfhound Club , writing an official standard the following year. While scholars still argue whether Graham simply revived a fading breed, or manufactured a new one, one thing is for certain: In its current occupation as a beloved companion, the Irish Wolfhound has no need to fear another brush with extinction.
Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Irish wolfhounds can be rambunctious in puppyhood—an month period in which she may grow to pounds!
Irish wolfhounds are gentle, affectionate, and amiable dogs known to be patient with children , which make them great for families who have the space—and income—to support a dog of this size.
As with any breed, it's important to properly socialize your Irish wolfhound from a young age. A properly socialized Irish wolfhound can do well with cats and other pets, but may prefer to be the only dog.
Irish wolfhounds are very large animals and, despite best intentions, may accidentally knock over or scare smaller children. They're best in a home with older children, and children should never sit on an Irish wolfhound's back.
It's important to teach children how to properly interact with dogs and always supervise them when playing with any animal. With a breed of this size, you need to ensure you're getting a solid genetic foundation and that you take the time to socialize young. Because of their immense size, Irish wolfhounds require specific living arrangements. An ideal home for an Irish wolfhound has a large, fenced-in yard and ample indoor space for this gentle giant to stretch out.
A layout with no stairs would certainly make things easier should you ever need to transport a sick or injured Irish wolfhound by carrying, and a stair-free house will also be easier on the dog's joints.
Loyal and sensitive, Irish wolfhounds thrive in the company of their humans and, like any breed, they shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. They should be an active part of their owner's life.
This extra-large breed doesn't require extensive exercise, but your dog will love getting outdoors to stretch her long legs and show off her athletic gallop. Though generally calm, Irish wolfhounds won't be a good fit for many and are best with experienced dog owners. If you're fortunate enough to have the space, lifestyle, and knowledge to support an Irish wolfhound, you'll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful, loving, and devout companions man has ever known.
It's important to consider your lifestyle before committing to any dog. Talk to an Irish wolfhound breeder or rescue group to see if an Irish wolfhound is a good fit for you. Irish wolfhounds have thick, double coats consisting of a soft insulating undercoat and a medium-length harsh and wiry top coat.
This breed sheds moderately year-round, but unlike most double-coated dogs, she never blows her coat. Brushing your Irish wolfhound once a week will keep her fur free of debris, mats, and loose dead hair. This breed's wire-textured hair tends to stay pretty clean, so they don't necessarily need full baths often—but you will need a large tub they can easily access when bath day does arise.
The Irish Wolfhound Club of America has thorough guides for grooming your dog. Regular brushing is a good time to check for things such as nail length and ear and dental health.
Her nails should be trimmed if you can hear them tapping against the floor.
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