Irish wolfhound

Irish wolfhound, breed of very large hound whose origins may be traced back many centuries in Ireland. The tallest of dogs, it stands about 34 in. (86.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 140 lb (63.5 kg). Its rough, wiry coat is usually gray in color. Originally bred as a hunter, the Irish wolfhound had become almost extinct by the mid-19th cent. as a result of the gradual disappearance of its natural quarry, the wolf and elk, and the depletion of its native Irish stock by exportation. A Scotsman, G. A. Graham, was largely responsible for the revival of the breed and supervised the writing of its standard in 1885. Today the Irish wolfhound is kept primarily as a companion dog. See dog.

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Irish wolfhound

Tallest of all dog breeds, a keen-sighted hound used in Ireland to hunt wolves and other game and noted for its speed and strength. An ancient breed, first mentioned about the 2nd century AD, it is similar in build to the greyhound but far more powerful. The female, substantially smaller than the male, stands at least 30 in. (76 cm) tall and weighs 105 lb (48 kg) or more. The rough coat is long on the brows and underjaw, and the colours include gray, brindle, red-brown, black, and white. The dog is valued as a gentle, even-tempered companion.