Сейчас существует множество пород собак, о some we know almost nothing. We suggest you to get acquainted with the Irish Wolfhound breed. These are rather unusual dogs. Do you want to know more about them? Then read further article.
Irish Wolfhound: Breed Description and History
Ancestors of this breed are consideredancient Egyptian greyhounds, and the closest relative is dirhound. From reliable sources it became known that wolfhounds already exist in Ireland for more than two thousand years. Throughout the centuries of existence, dogs have been used to hunt large animals such as deer, wolf and wild boar.
In the making of the modern Irish Wolfhoundplayed a huge role Georg Agustus Graham, captain of the British army. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the number of dogs began to decrease sharply. This man saved the view from extinction. In order to restore the breed, Graham used the blood of Pyrenean dogs, dirhaunds, Russian greyhounds and Danish dogs. The Irish Wolfhound received the official breed of dogs in 1879, six years later Graham approved her first standard.
Изображение таких псов можно увидеть на почтовых stamps, china, coins and whiskey. The Irish consider these dogs a symbol of their country. Sometimes even called wolfhounds national treasure. In our time, the breed is loved and appreciated not only in its homeland. You can meet representatives of the breed in Australia, Europe, Russia and other countries.
Breed standards: weight, wool and color
Irish Wolfhound is a muscular largethe dog is an elegant addition. On average, at the withers, representatives of the breed reach 83 cm, and their weight is 56 kg. The Irish wolfhound has a long head with a well-defined transition from the forehead to the attractive face, withers and small ears are well developed.
The tail of such a dog is thick, as a rule, omitted.down, tip slightly bent. Wool hard, long on the chin and above the eyebrows, needs special care. The color of these dogs may be different. You can meet both black and fawn Irish Wolfhound. In addition, there are white, gray and red representatives of the breed.
The character of the Irish dog
This dog is not only big in size, but itpossesses great charm and high intelligence. She also has a sensitive heart that is capable of boundless love for the owner. As a rule, these dogs easily converge with all people and even animals.
Хоть название породы и ирландский волкодав, но These dogs can not boast of pronounced guarding or guard qualities, and they have lost their hunting instinct a long time ago. The only thing they can scare is their size. Of course, among the representatives of each breed there are exceptions. But one can say that the modern Irish wolfhound, the photo of which you see in our article, is rather a good companion than a bodyguard, a hunter or a watchman.
Choosing a puppy is not an easy thing. Professional Tips
So, you decided to have such a dog, weighedall the pros and cons. Then we will tell you now how to choose such a dog correctly. How to start looking for a new friend? Of course, from visiting exhibitions. At these events you can get to know the dogs. In the same place puppies of the Irish wolfhound can be on sale.
If you do not have enough knowledge to choose a high-quality dog, you can ask for help from an expert, especially if you want to make your pet show career.
The most important thing in this business is the origin of the dog. You have to independently make sure that the puppy's parents meet the standards of the breed, have a smooth mind and excellent health.
Choosing a pet, remember that, besides a goodgenetics, there are other factors, as a result of which it is impossible to state with confidence that you are buying a champion. An honest and decent breeder will never give you such communication.
When you buy a puppy, look at the conditionswhich contain dogs. Must be perfect cleanliness. Before you buy, make sure that the dog is healthy. It should have a cold nose, clear skin, ears and eyes, and a soft stomach. Also ask the breeder what vaccinations were given to the animal and whether it was given anthelmintic.
If we talk about the temperament of puppies, then experts advise to choose the most playful and mobile.
Care and maintenance of a great friend
Despite its rather big size, such a doghome behaves quietly. All he needs is a spacious place to rest and sleep, as well as regular walking, it is desirable to have the opportunity to run around free. If you plan to drive your pet on a leash, then you need to teach him from childhood, otherwise there will be problems in the future, because the dog grows large sizes. Irish Wolfhound loves to joint walks with his family.
Such a big dog takes root well incity apartment, and in a private house. If you keep a pet in the house, you do not need to keep it in the aviary all the time. The dog is very important to be close to the owner. Due to prolonged separation, he may die from a heart failure. By the way, breeders advise from early childhood to teach him to stay with other people besides the owner.
If we talk about hygiene and care for wool, then in these matters will not be problems. Such a dog only needs to be periodically combed and cleaned, and bathed once every three months.
This dog likes to spend time on the street.Of course, if it gets very dirty, it should be washed more often. For swimming, it is desirable to use a special shampoo and conditioner. In addition, you need time to process from fleas and ticks, in order to avoid additional health problems.
Teach the animal to care for hair, as well as forclaws, you need from an early age, so that later it was easier to do everything. Since the claws of such dogs are curved, they need to be cut regularly. A couple of times a year you need to clean the dead wool.
In the ears wool can be plucked or cut. It is necessary to keep them clean and dry, especially when the dog spends a lot of time in nature.
For a more aesthetic appearance, it is customary to slightly trim the front of the neck, ears, and head.
The Irish Wolfhound needs the right onebalanced nutrition. A dog for normal development should receive all the necessary substances (carbohydrates, proteins and others). Since the animal does not know the measures in the absorption of food, it must be controlled so that there are no overeating, otherwise there may be problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Health and Disease
The average lifespan of these dogs is ten years. Irish Wolfhound has strong immunity, but has a tendency to the following diseases:
- Wobbler syndrome.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Bloating.
- Cataract.
- Pyoderma.
- Hygroma elbow.
- Osteochondrosis of the shoulder.
- Von Willebrand disease.
- Dislocation of the patella.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Osteosarcoma.
- Hip dysplasia.
- Entropion.
Upbringing and training
These dogs are very intelligent, balanced.As a rule, problems with the education of such a dog does not arise. As we said above, the Irish Wolfhound is an animal with a big heart, so for normal development it needs the attention and caress of the owner. Of course, there are such moments when you need to show firmness, but you should, of course, be able to combine it with a good attitude to the pet as a whole.
Usually such dogs are trained in general commands andskills, with them are early. Experts do not recommend training the Irish wolfhound ZKS and other protective training, in order not to wake unsafe instincts in it.
Nurseries, clubs and puppy cost
It is believed that for the first time the dogs of this breed wereto Russia in the middle of the nineteenth century, and these dogs got wide distribution later. Serious breeding began to engage only in 1980. The basis for domestic wolfhounds served individuals, which were brought from Germany. Later, the blood of American and Irish dogs was added to them. It is impossible to say with confidence that these dogs have become very popular in our state, but they have found their fans. In the Russian Federation there is a National Club of this breed.
How much does an Irish Wolfhound cost? The price for one representative of the breed ranges from twenty thousand rubles to one hundred.
A small conclusion
Now you know who the Irish Wolfhound is. Its character is rather calm, therefore such an animal can become a faithful and devoted friend for you and your children. Feel free to choose this breed!
