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Irish Wolfhound Size & Weight Chart

Dr Dilber Hussain
Reviewed by:
Dr. Dilber Hussain
Veterinarian

If you’re looking to adopt or buy an Irish wolfhound, it’s essential to understand its sizing and weight to know precisely what you’re getting yourself into. Irish Wolfhounds are pretty big dogs but a gentle giant breed.

In this guide, you’ll find out how big you can expect your dog to get and what an ideal Irish wolfhound size is.

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How Big Is an Irish Wolfhound Dog?

If you’re looking to adopt or buy an Irish wolfhound, it’s essential to understand its sizing and weight to know precisely what you’re getting yourself into. Irish Wolfhounds are pretty big dogs but a gentle giant breed.

In this guide, you’ll find out how big you can expect your dog to get and what an ideal Irish wolfhound size is.
 

At What Age Does an Irish Wolfhound Reach Its Full Size?

The Irish wolfhounds are giant dogs. You can’t get any bigger than this breed, and they’re often said to be the same size as a small pony.

The minimum height of these dogs for a male Irish wolfhound is 81 centimetres, and for females, around 76 centimetres. However, their average height is anywhere between 81-86 centimetres.

That said, they’re not the best suited for every household. For example, you wouldn’t want to have one for your small two-bedroom house, a flat or a family home that’s already overcrowded because the Irish wolfhound will need a lot of space to roam.
 

What Is the Ideal Weight For an Irish Wolfhound?

Irish Wolfhounds reach their full size by the age of two years old. They’re considered a slow-maturing breed, so even if you get Irish Wolfhound puppies, you’ll be able to watch their growth for a while.

Considering they have a short life expectancy of between six and eight years, they spend a chunk of their life growing to their full size.

How to Make Sure Your Irish Wolfhound Isn’t Overweight

To ensure your dog isn’t overweight, you can implement a few checks. After all, as the tallest dog breed in the world, the last thing you want is for them to be overweight!

The Wolfhound Club of America suggests that to check their weight, you’ll want to do the following:

  • Measure their food correctly and don’t leave food out at all times of the day. Check with your vet to understand what these large breeds need concerning food.
  • Do the level test to check they’re not overweight – when standing level with your dog, you should be able to see a waist.
  • Place your hands on the back and thumbs along the spine for a hands-on test. For a healthy dog of a good weight, you should be able to feel its ribs without having to press hard.

Ensuring Your Irish Wolfhound Grows Properly

There are a few things to consider to ensure your Irish Wolfhound puppy grows correctly and without problems.

Provide a balanced diet

A balanced diet is vital for any dog, especially with this breed, which has a relatively low lifespan. Make sure to give them the best diet recommended by your vet.

Give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation

Used as hunting wolves in the past, you want to give this breed plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. This will help burn through their energy supplies, especially as puppies.

Train them from puppies

Training your dog from a puppy will help ensure less damage to your home and that they grow up to be the gentle giants they are.
 

FAQs

Are Irish Wolfhounds bigger than Great Danes?

The Irish Wolfhound is a whopping 71.1 to 88.9 centimetres tall on average, whereas the Great Dane only reaches between 71.1 and 81.3 centimetres tall. So, the Irish Wolfhound takes the title of the tallest dog breed in the world.

How big can an Irish Wolfhound get?

This dog breed can get to a height of nearly 90 centimetres and can weigh up to 81 kilograms. For females, they will, of course, be slightly smaller, but the Irish Wolfhound Club states that this is a giant dog breed, regardless.

How much do Irish Wolfhounds weigh?

Irish Wolfhounds typically weigh between 54-70 kilograms for males and 48-61 kilograms for females.

Are Irish Wolfhounds the tallest dog?

Yes, the Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all dog breeds in the world.
 

Final Thoughts on Irish Wolfhound Size & Weight

Though their lives are short compared to other breeds, the Irish Wolfhound can be an excellent dog breed to have in your home if you can accommodate its large size. After reading this article you should have a good idea if your home will suit the tallest dog breed in the world or not.

Learn more about: Irish Wolfhound Dog Breed Information

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