Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Irish Wolfhound shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Irish Wolfhound offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Irish Wolfhound at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Irish Wolfhound? Wrong! If the Irish Wolfhound is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Irish Wolfhound then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Irish Wolfhound? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Irish Wolfhound and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Irish Wolfhound wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Irish Wolfhound then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Irish Wolfhound site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Irish Wolfhound, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Irish Wolfhound, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox Dogbreed| akcgroup = Hound| akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/irish_wolfhound/index.cfm| ankcgroup = Group 4 (Hound)| ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/irishwol.html| ckcgroup = Group 2 (Hound)| ckcstd = http://www.irishwolfhoundclubofcanada.ca/handbook/standard.shtml| country = Ireland of [dog (a sighthound) bred to hunt. The name originates from its purpose (wolf hunting) rather than from its appearance. These dogs are accepted as the tallest breed of dog in the world. The arguments as to whether the "largest" dog should refer to the height or the weight of the breed have their basis in these points of contention.

Appearance They have a swift pace and very keen eyesight and a rough coat (grey, wheaten, brindle, red, black, pure white, brown, or fawn, though wheaten and grey are the most common colors), a large box-shaped head, and a long, muscular neck. They have a somewhat greyhound-shaped body, but larger.They average up to 90 cm (34 inches) at the withers, a fact that sometimesis its biggest disadvantage when attracting owners who have no concern for its special needs. As with all breeds, the ideal and accepted measurements vary somewhat from one standard to another, and there will always be individuals whose size falls outside these standards. However, generally breeders aim for a height averaging 85 to 90 centimeters (33 to 36 inches) in males, 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) less for females. Acceptable weight minimums range from 55 kg (120 lb.) for males and 48 kg (105lb.) for females. Males, however, can weigh up to 180 lbs (82 kg).Though the pups may look adult at the age of 7 months, they are not considered mature until the age of 18-22 months depending the breeder.



Health Wolfhounds should not receive additional supplements when a 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 in order to slow their rapid growth. They will eventually reach the same height, but at a slower, and safer, rate.. Wolfhound puppies around 14 weeks old grow approximately one inch a week and put on one pound a day.

By the age of 8 months, the dogs appear adult, and 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.

Irish wolfhounds don't live long lives. The average life expectancy is 6 to 8 years. Dilated cardiomyopathy#Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs and osteosarcoma are the leading cause of death and like all deep-chested dogs, gastric torsion (bloat) is also common, as well as hereditary portosystemic shunt.

History The breed is very old, possibly from the 1st century BC or earlier, bred as war dogs by the ancient Celts, who called them Cú Faoil. The Gael (Ancient people) 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 - Cuchulain's favourite dog, Luath, was slain by a southern chief's hound, Phorp.

While many modern texts state Irish Wolfhounds were used for coursing 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 hunting animals for both wild boar and wolves, and many were exported for this purpose. They were perhaps too ideal, as the boar and wolf are now extinct in Ireland. 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. There exist stories that in the arena, the original Wolfhound was the equal of a lion. It has also been shown that when hunting animals, the wolfhound would bite the neck and crush the spine, killing the creature.

During times of conflict with England, it was not uncommon for Wolfhounds to be trained to take armoured knights off of their horses, thus allowing an infantry man to move in and finish the kill if the Wolfhound had not done so already.

Due to a massive export into various countries as a gift for royalty and a ban that allowed only royalty to own such a dog, the breed almost vanished in the middle of the 19th century. Captain Graham rebred the Irish Wolfhound with the Deerhound, Great Dane, Borzoi and other breeds; this saved the breed, but had the inevitable effect of altering its appearance, most noticeably leaving the Irish Wolfhound with alternative colours such as brindle (inherited from the Great Dane) as before they were mainly grey in colour.The ancient breed (often referred to as the Irish Wolfdogge in contemporary accounts) was available in both a smooth and rough coated variety. Descriptions of its appearance and demeanor, as well as the method of its use place it closer to the flock guardians in appearance than the modern breed. It is clear that the dog was not always the giant of today and it has been suggested that the Wolfhound was part of the make up of the Kerry Blue Terrier. The historical variety was famed for its loyalty, discernment, grave nature and aggression. In terms of temperament the modern breed has been greatly mellowed.Wolfhounds are often referred to as "Gentle Giants", and an historic motto of the breed is "Gentle when stroked. Fierce when provoked."

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 Kerry Blue Terrier was adopted by early Irish Nationalists such as Michael Collins. Today, however, the Irish wolfhound is by some margin the best known Irish breed outside the dog world.

Famous Wolfhounds

Literature McBryde, M. (1998) The Magnificient Irish Wolfhound, Ringpress Books, Dorking, ISBN-10 1860540937 , ISBN-13 978-1860540936

External links



{{Infobox Dogbreed| akcgroup = Hound| akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/irish_wolfhound/index.cfm| ankcgroup = Group 4 (Hound)| ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/irishwol.html| ckcgroup = Group 2 (Hound)| ckcstd = http://www.irishwolfhoundclubofcanada.ca/handbook/standard.shtml| country = Ireland of [dog (a sighthound) bred to hunt. The name originates from its purpose (wolf hunting) rather than from its appearance. These dogs are accepted as the tallest breed of dog in the world. The arguments as to whether the "largest" dog should refer to the height or the weight of the breed have their basis in these points of contention.

Appearance They have a swift pace and very keen eyesight and a rough coat (grey, wheaten, brindle, red, black, pure white, brown, or fawn, though wheaten and grey are the most common colors), a large box-shaped head, and a long, muscular neck. They have a somewhat greyhound-shaped body, but larger.They average up to 90 cm (34 inches) at the withers, a fact that sometimesis its biggest disadvantage when attracting owners who have no concern for its special needs. As with all breeds, the ideal and accepted measurements vary somewhat from one standard to another, and there will always be individuals whose size falls outside these standards. However, generally breeders aim for a height averaging 85 to 90 centimeters (33 to 36 inches) in males, 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) less for females. Acceptable weight minimums range from 55 kg (120 lb.) for males and 48 kg (105lb.) for females. Males, however, can weigh up to 180 lbs (82 kg).Though the pups may look adult at the age of 7 months, they are not considered mature until the age of 18-22 months depending the breeder.



Health Wolfhounds should not receive additional supplements when a 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 in order to slow their rapid growth. They will eventually reach the same height, but at a slower, and safer, rate.. Wolfhound puppies around 14 weeks old grow approximately one inch a week and put on one pound a day.

By the age of 8 months, the dogs appear adult, and 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.

Irish wolfhounds don't live long lives. The average life expectancy is 6 to 8 years. Dilated cardiomyopathy#Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs and osteosarcoma are the leading cause of death and like all deep-chested dogs, gastric torsion (bloat) is also common, as well as hereditary portosystemic shunt.

History The breed is very old, possibly from the 1st century BC or earlier, bred as war dogs by the ancient Celts, who called them Cú Faoil. The Gael (Ancient people) 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 - Cuchulain's favourite dog, Luath, was slain by a southern chief's hound, Phorp.

While many modern texts state Irish Wolfhounds were used for coursing 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 hunting animals for both wild boar and wolves, and many were exported for this purpose. They were perhaps too ideal, as the boar and wolf are now extinct in Ireland. 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. There exist stories that in the arena, the original Wolfhound was the equal of a lion. It has also been shown that when hunting animals, the wolfhound would bite the neck and crush the spine, killing the creature.

During times of conflict with England, it was not uncommon for Wolfhounds to be trained to take armoured knights off of their horses, thus allowing an infantry man to move in and finish the kill if the Wolfhound had not done so already.

Due to a massive export into various countries as a gift for royalty and a ban that allowed only royalty to own such a dog, the breed almost vanished in the middle of the 19th century. Captain Graham rebred the Irish Wolfhound with the Deerhound, Great Dane, Borzoi and other breeds; this saved the breed, but had the inevitable effect of altering its appearance, most noticeably leaving the Irish Wolfhound with alternative colours such as brindle (inherited from the Great Dane) as before they were mainly grey in colour.The ancient breed (often referred to as the Irish Wolfdogge in contemporary accounts) was available in both a smooth and rough coated variety. Descriptions of its appearance and demeanor, as well as the method of its use place it closer to the flock guardians in appearance than the modern breed. It is clear that the dog was not always the giant of today and it has been suggested that the Wolfhound was part of the make up of the Kerry Blue Terrier. The historical variety was famed for its loyalty, discernment, grave nature and aggression. In terms of temperament the modern breed has been greatly mellowed.Wolfhounds are often referred to as "Gentle Giants", and an historic motto of the breed is "Gentle when stroked. Fierce when provoked."

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 Kerry Blue Terrier was adopted by early Irish Nationalists such as Michael Collins. Today, however, the Irish wolfhound is by some margin the best known Irish breed outside the dog world.

Famous Wolfhounds

Literature McBryde, M. (1998) The Magnificient Irish Wolfhound, Ringpress Books, Dorking, ISBN-10 1860540937 , ISBN-13 978-1860540936

External links





 

Irish Wolfhound



 
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