Irish Wolfhound
by. Nolvyhindarto,S.Si_Encartablog_Animals
Irish Wolfhound | ||||
An Irish Wolfhound | ||||
Other names | Cú Faoil | |||
Country of origin | ||||
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The Irish Wolfhound (
Faoil, Irish pronunciation:
of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), specifically a
The name originates from its purpose (
rather than from its appearance.If their connection to the
dogs used at the sacking of Delphi during the Iron Age is accurate,then
their name derives indeed from that of the earliest
tribes from central Europe.
Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest dog breed on average[1].
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Appearance
A female wolfhound
its great size. Built like a very muscular greyhound, the Irish
wolfhound male can attain the stature of a small
Its large, long head tapers to a medium point and is held high. Ears
are small and stay close to the head except during moments of intensity.
Strong shoulders, a muscular neck, a deep chest and a retracted abdomen
give the dog its characteristic body shape. Paws are large and round.
The tail is carried between the legs, curving slightly upward. The coat
is rough, shaggy, wiry and especially bushy over the eyes and under
the jaw. The Irish Wolfhound is graceful with an easy yet powerful gait.
Historically these dogs had to not only possess speed but endurance,
allowing them to follow their prey and hunt it down. They had to be
hardy enough to withstand being injured whilst using their own brute
force to bring the prey down. The modern representation of the breed
appears to be a dog capable of doing just that. Generally breeders aim
for a height range of 85 to 95 centimeters (34 to 38 inches) at the
in males, 50 to 80 centimeters (30 to 35 inches) for females. Generally
acceptable weight 46–70 kg (101–154lbs). The recognized colors are
gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn or any other color that
appears in the Deerhound.[2]
Temperament
should not be territorially aggressive to other domestic dogs but are
born with specialized skills and it is common for hounds at play to
another dog. This is a specific hunting behaviour, not a fighting or
territorial domination behaviour. The Irish Wolfhound is relatively
easy to train. They respond well to firm, but gentle, consistent leadership.
The Wolfhound of today is far from the one that struck fear into the
hearts of the Ancient Romans. Irish Wolfhounds are often favoured for
their loyalty, affection, patience and devotion. Although at some points
in history they have been used as watchdogs, unlike some breeds, the
Irish Wolfhound is usually unreliable in this role as they are often
friendly toward strangers, although their size can be a natural deterrant.
That said, when protection is required this dog is never found wanting.
When they or their family are in any perceived danger they display a
fearless nature.
Health
An Irish Wolfhound puppy
vary between 5 and 10 years.
cardiomyopathy and
are the leading cause of death and like all deep-chested dogs,
color: #0000FF;">gastric torsion (bloat) is also common;
the breed is also affected by hereditary intrahepatic
shunt.[3][4]
Wolfhound Club of America and based on an owner survey, Irish Wolfhounds
in the United States from 1966 to 1986 lived to a mean age of
6.47 and died most frequently of bone cancer.[5] A more recent study by the UK
Kennel Club puts the average age of death at 7 years.[6]
many owners start stressing them too much. Outstretched limbs and irreparable
damage are the result. Wolfhounds need at least 18 months to be ready
for lure coursing, running as a sport, and other strenuous
activities. It takes almost two years for the wolfhound to fully grow.[
good dog food is used. It is generally accepted that they should be
fed a large breed puppy food until 18 months old and then change to
a large breed adult food. Most breeders today recommend that they not
be supplemented to slow their rapid growth.
well suited to rural life, but their medium energy profile allows them
to adjust fairly well to suburban and urban life as well, provided
they receive appropriate exercise.
History
Irish Wolfhound running
to Ireland around 3500 BC by early settlers, further genetic testing
may help clarify a point of origin. These dogs are mentioned,
as cú (variously translated as hound, Irish hound, war dog, wolf dog,
etc.) in Irish laws, which predate Christianity, and in Irish literature
which dates from the 5th century or, in the case of the Sagas, from
the old Irish period - AD600-900. The word "Cu" often became
an added respected prefix on the names of warriors as well as kings
denoting that they were worthy of the respect and loyalty of a Cu. Ancient
wood cuts and writings have placed them in existence as a breed by 273
BC. However there is indication that they existed even as early as 600
BC when the Tectosages and
Celts sacked Delphi. Survivors left accounts of the fierce
Celts and the huge dogs who fought with them and at their side. They
were mentioned by Julius Caesar in his treatise,
Wars, and by 391 BC, they were written about by Roman
Consul, Quintus Aurelius, who received seven of them as
a gift to be used for fighting lions, bears, that in his words, "all
Rome viewed with wonder." Wolfhounds. Bred as war dogs by the ancients,
who called them Cú Faoil. The Irish continued to breed them for this
purpose, as well as to guard their homes and protect their stock. Regular
references of Irish Wolfhounds being used in dog fights are found in
many historical sagas—
favourite dog, Luath, was slain by a southern chief's hound, Phorp.
Cúchulain, a name which translates literally as "hound of Culain",
gained his name when as a child, known then as Setanta, he slew the
ferocious guard dog of Culain forcing him to offer himself as a replacement.
Only kings and the nobility were allowed to own the great Irish hound,
the numbers permitted depending on position. They were much coveted
and were frequently given as gifts to important personages and foreign
nobles. Like the nobility they served, the hounds were often bejeweled
with chains and collars studded with precious gem stones and metals.
Wolfhounds were the companions of the regal, and housed themselves alongside
them.
Irish Guards' mascot in parade dress
Wolf hunting with wolfhounds
deer, contemporary pre-revival accounts such as Animated Nature (1796) by Oliver Goldsmith are explicit that
the original animal was a very poor coursing dog. Their astonishing
size, speed, and intelligence made them ideal animals for both
and wolf hunting, and many were exported for this purpose.
They were perhaps too ideal, as the boar and wolf are now extinct in
Unlike the Russian Wolfhound (
who were bred to keep a wolf at bay until the hunter arrived, the Irish
Wolfhounds were bred not only to hunt the wolf down, but to go in for
the kill. They killed wolves in the same way a cat kills a rat, by shaking
it until its neck snapped. The Irish Wolfhound has been recorded as
being exhibited in ancient Rome to some excitement, and mention is
made that they so amazed and terrified the Romans that it was seen fit
to only transport them in cages. During the English conquest of Ireland,
Wolfhounds were trained by the Irish for war, their job was to catch
armoured knights on horseback and separate them from their horses.
The
Wolfhound is sometimes regarded as the national dog breed of Ireland
but in fact no breed has ever been officially adopted as such. The Wolfhound
was historically a dog that only nobles could own and was taken up by
the British during their rule in Ireland. This made it unpopular as
a national symbol and the
Blue Terrier was adopted by Irish Nationalists such
as Michael Collins. However, in recent years, the Wolfhound
has been adopted as a symbol by both
codes, which are organised on an
basis. The national rugby league team are nicknamed the Wolfhounds,
and the Irish Rugby Football Union, which governs rugby
union, changed the name of the country's A (second-level) national team
in that code to the Ireland Wolfhounds in 2010.
References
- ^
- ^
- ^
SR, Gaillard C, Steiger, A (2007). "Lifespan and disease predispositions
in the Irish Wolfhound: a review". Vet Q 29 (3): 102–111.
color: #0000FF;">PMID - ^
- ^
- ^
Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Comittee. 2004
Retrieved 30 March 2010
Further reading
- McBryde, M. (1998). The Magnificent Irish Wolfhound, Ringpress Books, Dorking.
External links
- http://www.iwsocietyofireland.com Irish Wolfhound
Society of Ireland - Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Wolfhound"
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