History of.. Irish wolfhound

Name: Irish Wolfhound
Scientific Name:
Canis lupus familiaris
Family: Hound Group
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
Habitation:
Domsticated and live indoors with humans.

The Irish Wolfhound is a type of large sighthound and is known to be one of the biggest dog breeds. The modern breed was created in the late 19th century by G.A. Graham, who wanted to bring back the extinct Irish wolfhounds of Ireland. The Irish Wolfhound is classified as part of the Sighthound family.

The height of Irish Wolfhounds average 34cm (28 inches) High with a weight of 54.5kg (120lb). They have a rough coat with a beard and hair over the eyes. The coat colours range from black, brindle, fawn, grey, red, pure white, or any colour seen in Deerhound .

Due to their size Irish Wolfhounds are prone to heart and joint problems. They have a lifespan of around 7 to 10 years and have a litter of 4 to 12 pups.

Despite their imposing stature, Irish Wolfhounds are gentle giants at heart. Known for their laid-back demeanor and affectionate nature, these dogs are loyal companions who thrive on human interaction and love being part of the family. They are ideal candidates for therapy and service roles, providing comfort in hospitals to assisting individuals with disabilities.

History
Before the 19th century, there were references to large dogs by Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, a Roman Consul who received seven canes Scotici as a gift. These dogs were used for fighting lions and bears, and people in Rome were amazed by them. The word "Scoti" is a Latin term for the Gaels, who were ancient Irish people. It is believed that Irish and Scottish greyhounds came from the same ancestor, the vertragus, and travelled with the Scoti from Ireland to Scotland. It is thought that the Irish Wolfhound has been around for a very long time.

The Gaels used these dogs for hunting and called them Cú Faoil, which means "wolfhound" in Irish. It is suggested they were more the size of a modern Alsatian. This suggests that the large Irish Wolfhounds we know today are a more recent development.

Irish Wolfhounds were highly valued and were often given as gifts to important people and foreign nobles. For example, King John of England gave an Irish hound named Gelert to the Prince of Wales in 1210.

Over time they became popular in European royal houses, leading to a decline in their numbers in Ireland. In 1652, Oliver Cromwell published a declaration to ensure that enough Irish Wolfhounds remained to control the wolf population. By the 18th century, references to the Irish Wolfhound described them as large, strong, and resembling greyhounds. They were seen as symbols of status rather than hunting companions.

The last wolf in Ireland was killed in 1786, marking the end of the wolf population in the country. The remaining wolfhounds were kept by a few families, mainly descendants of old Irish chieftains, as symbols of their heritage. By the 19th century, there were only a few left in Ireland, and they were considered a rare sight.