The Irish Wolfhound, or C Faoil as it is known in Ireland, is one of the oldest dog breeds. It is thought to have been introduced to Irish shores in 3500 B.C. It is believed that the dog was first displayed in Ancient Rome. Historians suggest that many Romans found the Irish Wolfhound so terrifying that the dogs had to be kept in cages.

The breed was originally designed as a war dog, but went on to be used for other purposes including fighting for sport and guard dogs. Although it is commonly believed that the Irish Wolfhound was used for coursing deer, this is a misconception as they were reportedly very poor coursing dogs. However, their agility and speed made for ideal boar and wolf hunters (which is how the dog acquired its name).

Today, the Wolfhound is considered one of the most docile and gentle breeds of dog; good with both children and other animals. The Irish Wolfhound makes a great family pet, as it is unconditionally loyal, loving and completely devoted to its human family. Although originally used as a guard dog, unlike many breeds, the Wolfhound is not a natural watchdog, because its affable nature extends to strangers. Nevertheless, the loyalty of the Irish Wolfhound will ensure that he, or she, protects the home and family when necessary.

One of the largest dogs, on average the Wolfhound is the tallest breed. A male Irish Wolfhound is typically between 33 and 36 inches in height. Females are slightly smaller and range from 30 to 34 inches in height. Additionally, a Wolfhound can weigh between 101 and 154lbs.

An Irish Wolfhound grows extremely rapidly. On average, a puppy of 10 weeks old will gain a pound in weight everyday. By 8 months, the Wolfhound appears to be fully-grown and, subsequently, owners and trainers can overstretch the dog's young joints and limbs with sports or coursing training. Although the dog may have the appearance of an adult, it is not until 18 months old that a Wolfhound is no longer considered a puppy.

Because of its size, the Wolfhound is ideally suited to large homes. However, it is one of the lazier breeds and, subsequently, does not require excessive exercise. Therefore, the breed adjusts equally well to an urban or rural existence.

It is important that the Irish Wolfhound be trained correctly, as an unruly dog of this size would be extremely difficult to manage. However, it is not difficult to train an Irish Wolfhound, as they are sensitive and enormously eager to please. A calm demeanour and positive reinforcement is needed, as Wolfhounds do not respond well to scolding or aggressive training methods. Despite what the Ancient Romans may have thought, the Wolfhound is a big softie and does not react well in stressful environments.

Unfortunately, these quirky-looking and amiable dogs have a relatively short lifespan. The average life of an Irish Wolfhound is just under 6 years. However, typically, they live between 5 and 10 years. The Wolfhound's tragically short life is predominantly caused by health issues that the dog is genetically predisposed toward. For example, intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, gastric torsion, bone cancer and dilated cardiomyopathy are all prevalent ailments amongst Irish Wolfhounds.

The amiable and patient Wolfhound makes a wonderfully family pet. In its comparatively short life, an Irish Wolfhound can bring great love and companionship to its owner.

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