Ranking 76th in popularity among American Kennel Club breeds, the Irish wolfhound is not a common dog in this country.
The gigantic canine is probably the oldest of dog breeds native to the Emerald Isle, and its history is fairly well documented because the Irish were among the first people to conduct dog breeding on a systematic plan.
The Irish wolfhound almost certainly has been carefully bred for at least 1,300 years, perhaps since the time of Christ. It is believed that the dogs came to Ireland with the Celts between 2500 and 1500 B.C. At one time, it and the present Scottish deerhound may have been a single breed, from which the wolfhound developed on more ponderous lines to hunt wolves, boars, stags and elk, and the deerhound was bred for lighter prey.
With long legs and general build of a greyhound, the Irish wolfhound is very speedy, despite its shoulder height of 33 to 36 inches and weight of up to 140 pounds. They were fearless in the hunt, but docile as lambs at home.
The first written reference to the breed dates from A.D. 391, when a Roman consul thanked his brother for seven specimens shipped from Ireland. The dogs were important to feudal life in the Middle Ages and frequently sent as presents to rulers and nobles throughout the world.
By the end of the 16th Century, the numbers of wolfhounds in Ireland had dwindled. Wolves and elk were disappearing, and the dogs were not needed for hunting. Large numbers were being exported, and many were lost in the great Irish potato famine of the 1840s.
Some wolfhound fanciers in 1841 began to rebuild the breed from several excellent bloodlines that remained. Crosses were made back to Scottish deerhounds, and within 20 years the breed had been re-established to the point that the first standard or description of perfection could be drawn up.
The Irish wolfhound has a long head, small greyhound-type ears curled and carried back behind the skull, and rough, hard, shaggy hair on body, legs and head (especially wiry and long over the eyes and under the jaw). Accepted colors include gray, brindle, red, black, pure white and fawn.
Breeders say the wolfhound is a "special dog for special people" who have the space for it, appreciate its gentle nature, will provide plenty of exercise and human companionship and be prepared for its early demise. A lifespan of seven years is common.
Dogs from responsible private breeders are peaceable and quiet indoors, emotionally stable, sociable with the family and wonderful with children, though they're just too big to be alone with tiny tots. They learn fast and warn of intruders.
For more information, write to Mrs. William Pfarrer, secretary, Irish Wolfhound Club of America, 8855 U.S. Highway 40, New Carlisle, Ohio 45344. Books include "The New Complete Irish Wolfhound," by Joel Samaha, $24 plus $2.40 shipping and handling from Howell/Macmillan, 866 3rd Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022; and "Irish Wolfhounds," by Beverly Pisano, $9.95 plus $1 shipping and handling from TFH Publications, 3rd and Union Avenues, Neptune, N.J. 07753.