Mid-Atlantic Hound Association

Irish Wolfhounds
Irish Wolfhounds are dogs of great size and commanding appearance. In general type they resemble the Scottish Deerhound, although considerably more massive. Males average 34 inches in height and 140 pounds, females 32 inches and 120 pounds. While very strong and muscular, wolfhounds should be gracefully built and display easy and active movement. Their coat is rough and hard, and especially long and wiry over the eyes and under the jaw.  As the largest of the coursing hounds, wolfhounds must combine sufficient speed, power and courage to catch and kill the most difficult of game. Though ferocious in the hunt, at home wolfhounds have a calm presence and a strong desire for human companionship. In disposition they are indeed "gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked."
	St. Leger Aeida bred by Berne Smith Best in Field at Montpelier 1994
The first pictorial record of hounds similar to those seen today dates back to the Celtic invasion of Greece in 1,400 B.C. However, it is generally accepted that wolfhounds were already prize possessions of Irish nobility as early as 2,500 B.C. They figure prominently in Irish legend and literature, celebrated for their courage in battle as well as skill in hunting wolves, deer, boar and elk. These traits made the hounds highly valued and began a long tradition of sending them abroad as gifts for royalty. By the 4th century A.D. wolfhounds were known as far away as Rome where they were a popular attraction in arena combat. Yet by 1780 the breed had become extremely rare due to centuries of excessive exportation and the disappearance of wolves and elk in its native land. Dedicated efforts to resurrect the breed began in 1862 and the current standard was drafted in 1885.
For American Kennel Club Irish Wolfhound information click here.