Alice Kane - Irish Wolfhound

Physical Characteristics of the Irish Wolfhound

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Skull: Not too broad.

Head: Long.

Muzzle: Long and moderately pointed.

Chest: Very deep.

Forequarters: Shoulders, muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under.

Leg: Forearm muscular, and the whole leg strong and quite straight.

Ears: Small and Greyhound-like in carriage.

Neck: Rather long, very strong.

Minimum Height and Weight: Dogs, 32 inches and 120 pounds; bitches, 30 inches and 105 pounds.

Back: Rather long than short.

Tail: Long and slightly curved.

Hair: Rough and hard on body, legs and head.

Belly: Well drawn up.

Hindquarters: Muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in the Greyhound.

Color and Markings: Gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn or any other color that appears in the Deerhound.

Feet: Moderately large and round. Toes, well arched and closed.

Contents

Explore the colorful past of the noble Wolfhound of Ireland, from the heroic giant dogs of the first century to the breeds history chronicled in art and legend to the influential dogs and breeders from Ireland and Britain. See how the breeds popularity has blossomed in the US in a special section written by Gretchen Bernardi.

Cozy up to the Irish Wolfhound and enjoy the companionship of a gentle giant whose personality, protective instincts and loyalty know no bounds. Learn what makes the sensitive, active and intelligent Wolfhound such a beloved dog, and find out about the breed-specific health considerations of which every new owner needs to be aware.

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Irish Wolfhound by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Irish Wolfhound puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Irish Wolfhound every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise. Also discussed are dog ID and traveling safely with your pet.

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Irish Wolfhound, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dogs healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Acquaint yourself with the basics of AKC conformation showing and find out about other types of competition for the Wolfhound: obedience trials, agility, tracking, lure coursing and racing.

K ENNEL C LUB B OOKS I RISH W OLFHOUND

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-311-2

eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-992-3

Copyright 2005 Kennel Club Books An Imprint of I-5 Press A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by Cheryl A. Ertelt

with additional photographs by:

Tom Booth, Paulette Braun, T.J. Calhoun, Alan and Sandy Carey, Isabelle Franais, Gilbert Studios, Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas, Kent Standerford, Chuck Tatham and Alice van Kempen.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners whose dogs are featured in this book, including Kathy Bagi, Jill Richards Bregy, Sheri Day, Sam Ewing, Aimee Felger, Patricia Grove, Megan Krejcik, Barbara Meadows, Gail Selsmeyer, Judith Simon, Dr. Lynn Simon, Lois Thomasson and Cyndi & Bernie Westhoff.

The Irish Wolfhound has a rich history in the UK. Mrs. I. H. Barr from Dorking, Surrey, England had a fine kennel of Irish Wolfhounds during the 1930s. Here is a veritable pack photographed with Mrs. Barrs young daughter.

INTRODUCING THE IRISH WOLFHOUND

I will give thee a hound that was given to me in Ireland; he is big, and no worse than a stout man. Besides it is part of his nature that he has a mans wit, and he will bay at every man he knows to be thy foe, but never at thy friends. He can see, too, in any mans face whether he means thee well or ill, and he will lay down his life to be true to thee.

In the ninth or tenth century, when the dog served man, Scandinavian folklore records Olaf, Norwegian son of an Irish princess, describing his Irish Wolfhounds with fierce love and admiration. Today, when man serves the dog (a mutually agreeable arrangement!), Wolfhound enthusiasts echo Olafs eloquence with modern-day tributes to Irelands fearless and devoted sighthounds. A giant in size with a heart to match, the Irish Wolfhound is by nature gentle and a gentleman. Proud to give his heart to the hunt, he would sooner give it to you. Give him yours in return and you will have a friend for life. The breeds history, characteristics, care and training are all here for you to enjoyto whet your appetite for everything you need to know to be the best possible companion to the aristocratic, devoted Irish Wolfhound.