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People Are Posting Hilarious Photos Of Their Irish Wolfhounds, And It’s Crazy How Large They Are
Irish Wolfhounds have a majestic heritage that is believed to date back to 391 AD. Named for their mix, Wolfhounds were used by the Gaels as hunting dogs, who called them Cú Faol (wolfhound). While they might sound like the stuff of legends - they are now known as sweet, affectionate, and sometimes silly dogs. According to the official World Canine Federation standards, the desired height of this large dog breed is 32 inches (81cm) to 34 inches (86cm).
The tallest of all the American Kennel Club breeds, these big dogs might look intimidating from afar. But as their owners can prove in these photos, they are just loveable goofballs. Scroll down below to check out this Bored Panda list of hilariously adorable Irish Wolfhounds we have collected from our readers that sent us the pics of their large dogs as well as some pics found on the internet. Don't forget to upvote your favorite of these adorable dogs, and if you want even more, check out our previous post on Irish Wolfhounds as well!
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Murphy At 8 Months, He’s Now 4 Years Old And 165lb
It's hard to believe but this highly regarded breed almost went extinct. Irish Wolfhounds were primarily used for hunting in the past so when the number of wolves and elk in Ireland decreased at one point, so did the demand for the breed. By 1800 the breed had thinned out, but Capt. George A. Graham was sure that there were still a few Irish Wolfhounds left in Ireland. In the mid-1800s, the captain made it his mission to find these remaining Wolfhounds and use them to revive the breed. Graham crossed the Irish Wolfhounds he found with Scottish Deerhounds to help revive the population.
Throwback To When The Grass Was Green And It Was Just Her And Him
We Want Your Toast!
Height isn't the only trait that makes this rare dog breed unique. Most dog breeds come in the same common variations of colors - but usually blue isn't one of them. Pure Irish wolfhounds come in many colors, from cream to black, but some end up as blue. To be technical blue in dogs isn't a color but a color paling effect which dilutes the color pigment of the coat, skin, and eyes - called 'blue dilute.' This trait used to be considered impermissible to the point that the affected puppies were put down at birth or as soon after as their color became obvious. Now it is known that this in no way affects the health of the dog.
My Irish Wolfhound, Sitting On Grandma’s Lap. He Has No Idea How Big He Is
Photobombed
Irish Wolfhounds used to hunt large game such as wild boar and deer. With their large stature and skill, they make great hunters and are still even used to this day to herd sheep. One might think that their ability to attack animals would translate into a great guard dog, but you would be mistaken. This breed is not suspicious of strangers, nor are they aggressive towards them.
Big Ron And Big Ern
If Lincoln Can’t Be A Couch Dog Then She Will Be A Floor Person
The earliest written record of an Irish Wolfhound is from 391 A.D., scribed in a letter from a Roman consul to his brother. The consul thanks his brother for his gift of “Irish dogs,” saying, “All Rome viewed them in wonder.” Apparently these “wolfdogs of Ireland” were often gifted to Roman consuls, as well as to kings of other European countries, to shahs of Persia, and other world leaders.
Just A Lap Dog
Christmas Morning Pjs
Most models must be tall and lean - so it makes sense that the Irish Wolfhound would make the best canine model of the breeds. These dogs are said to be very photogenic and good in front of the camera, which is why they are frequently used in fashion photography.
Beauty And The Beast
ahem...whom are u calling "beast"? it's beauty and beauty all the way. -_-
Gilligan Sharing A Birthday Kiss With 110 Year Old Mariette
Dog-Head Is Served. Enjoy Your Meal!
My Dad, Who Always Complains About The Dogs
Favorite Place To Nap
Sloane Got To Sit On My Lap. He Wasn't Excited At All...
Floki. He’s Such A Sweetheart!
Looks Like They're About To Drop The Hottest Music Album Of The Year
“How do you about Gandalf?” “I read the Hobbit, in 1937, when it first came out.”
Load More Replies...Those tiny dogs look so displeased by their big friend and the wolfhound is just, “yessssss”. Irish Wolfhounds always seem to look so happy. If they’re not smiling, it’s in their eyes
Bestest buddies, don't mess w/ the lil' guys or you'll have to deal with the big one😉 smooches 😚❤🐾
This is too much Canine Majesty in one photo for my heart to bear. 💕💕💕💕💕
I would definitely buy the album and go to watch them live, first single, of course "who let the dogs out?"
On A Walk
This Is Guinness. He Just Passed Last Month At 9 Years...
Happy And Houndy Thanksgiving!
How He Lies In The Kitchen Waiting For Something To Fall
This Gang
When You're The Size Of A Couch
Ever Get The Feeling Someone’s Watching You?
Manager Amber Is 5ft... Moose Is One Big Boy!
Partners In Crime
Huge Paw Or Small Hand?
My Boy Fezzik
Jarvis Watching His Boy
Naps And Cuddles With Hoomum
Meet Winnie The White Wolfie
The Space Cowboy And The Gangster Of Love
This Irish Wolfhound Testing The Ice Cream For His Human
Best Kisses
They Want His Pizza!
My Buddy Chester Almost One Year Old Irish Wolfhound. He Wanted To Look Out The Window
Stanley, 38 Inches At Shoulder, 101 Kilos (223 Pounds) Of Pure Love
Me And Auntie Terri
Little Brother Out Walking The Dog
Truman The Irish Wolfhound Therapy Dog
For Perspective I Am 6’ Tall Tall
One of the questions people routinely ask when they meet Django is “How tall is he when he is standing on his hind legs “ or “ Can I take a photo of him with his paws on your shoulders?” Answer “I have never tried to measure him and I have never let him put his paws on my shoulders.” From an early age I discouraged him from wanting to put his paws on my shoulders!! He is so heavy and strong it would be painful. Plus he could easily knock me or any else down if he got too excited. This is as close as it gets doing his Pony trick for a treat For perspective I am 6’ tall.
Smart owner. I would have to train any large dog this way, unfortunately. Pain issues. I wish I could enjoy doggy hugs the way I did when I was young
This Is Kyle And His Big Friend Diesel
Mommy Got Me An Emergency Dog Carrier In Case I Get Hurt Out Hiking! I’m Pretty Chill Being Carried, But Mommy Can’t Pick Me Up!
A lot of people don't think about how they'd manage a massive dog if it becomes sick or gets injured.
Alfred Wonders How He Will Get Past The Guard Chiwa Blocking His Route To A Snack
Size Is Not An Obstacle
Weigh In For My 6 Month Baby. Happy Half Year Birthday To All 115 Pounds Of This Sweet Girl
My Dog Merlin Met A Horse
1. Your Face When You See Yourself In A New Collar 2. Your Face When You Realize You Get To Keep Said Collar
King Size Fur Babies
How do the pups parents get to eat? They just walk right up to the tables and counters! Training? Lock them in another room? I would love to have one except I am only 5', 120 lbs and fragile bones. They don't look like they have a mean bone in their bodies, but they could accidentally hurt someone I would think. Such cool dogs!
Rex Is A Tiny Little Lap-Dog
How Many Dogs Do You See?
Paddrick Loves His Baby Girl!
Crazy Familly
Often Forget That I Have A Big Dog As Have Got So Used To It. Then I Look At This Photograph
A Girl Needs To Be Pampered Sometimes
I Think If We Stare Really Hard And Don't Move They Will Let Us Back In
Always A Lap Dog
Took Care Of My Aunt’s Puppy For A Few Days
Irish Wolfhound Lounger
Galahad Getting A Bath
Saw This Guy Driving Home. Had To Pull Over Because I Have Never Seen Anything Like This In My Life
My Mother's Irish Wolfhound, With Banana For Scale
Not Only Is Tully A Bed Hog, He’s A Pillow Hog Too
Baby Feet Are Delicious!
This Is Fergus
Me And My Boys
Tormaigh Loves His Mommy!
Tried To Get Down To His Level But It Didn't Work
Me With My Late Irish Wolfhound Faust. I'm 184cm
It’s Hard Work Chasing Cows. Got To Rest Up Until This Evening And Go Make The Rounds Again
I Guess They Are Ready To Go
You sure it's ready? You buckle up a person when driving... I don't want to be involved in a crash at speed where 100kg of wolf flies through the car.
How Bout A Bear Hug Momma? I Mean, A Wolfhound Hug?
Our Irish Wolfhound Turns 6 This Year. She's As Tall As The Counters In The Kitchen
Just Irish Wolfhound Things...
Num Num Num!
Love My Crazy Beast!
A Large Dog Or A Small Woman?
My Irish Wolfhound With My Dog Walker
Buddies
My Most Favourite Dog In The World! 9 Months
Lap Dog Humphry
Chilling Buddy
Why Is It Every Time I Try To Get A Comfy Seat There’s A Human Child In My Way?!
He's My Very Own Dire Wolf Come To Life
None As Big As Our Owen
I'm Jealous Of Their Naked Skin, And All Things They Do With It
i love how gently and lovely they look! they are literally monster-sized doggos, but still manage to be that cute
Mine eats about 10 cups of kibble on a good day maybe 6 on average and plenty of other meat bits from my food
Load More Replies...I don't like these kind posts! pissed me off, because I have severe Allergy...and I love to have a cuddle doggos...f***k to allergens
I get more and more conflicted about buying one. My heart always melts after seeing photos like this and then I remember their average lifespan. Maybe one day, I'll get an wolfhound. Right now, I'm tearing up thinking about 'how I would cope if I lost my wolfhound' and I don't even own one yet!
These dogs are adorable and amazing, but I'm curious as to what makes them always look kind of dirty and disheveled? Do they have greasy skin or?
No they don't have greasy skin, they are wire coated and unless specifically groomed for the show ring this is just them in their natural condition. I guess they just look that way to you cos they are so huge - so everything is kind of magnified :)
Load More Replies...Having owned 2 IWs amid all my collies I identify with these photos. They are great.
Love love love Wolfies, big, beautiful, goofy, sweethearts. I always wanted one but never had the right kind of home. Now I do, but I have a big rescue hound which is as close as I'm going to get I think!
Life expectancy of 6-8 years and full of genetic defects. You think that’s hilarious?
I absolutely LOVE this!!! Thank you so much for sharing it!! Wolfhounds are my very favorite dogs, and I doubt seriously I'll ever get to own one, so I love getting to share the love vicariously!! They are all GORGEOUS!!
I love them they are just beautiful dogs So big but they really do not know that !
I absolutely love the fact that when they're born, they weigh as much as a bag of sugar, but then they turn into those monstrous snuggle monsters!
Irish Wolfhounds are sighthounds that were originally bred to hunt wolves. They are not a mix of wolf and domestic hound. Contrary to what the AKC website states, there is no evidence that these dogs hunted the Irish Elk. Sadly, the giant breeds do not have long lives. Irish Wolfhounds average 5-7 years of age.
I'm a dog person, wolfhounds are awesome dogs... but why on earth would anyone (in their right mind) have one if they didn't live on a farm? Living in a normal size house (let alone an apartment) ought to be considered cruelty to these animals.
I have 3 and do live on acreage however you would be very surprised how little room is required. These guys love to go for a run a couple of times a day and then basically sleep all day. So long as you are prepared to take them out for their couple of runs, it's no different to have additional humans in your home, they take up a similar amount of space as a full grown human, but don't come with any of the humans downsides ;)
Load More Replies...Ugh I would literally kill to get an Irish wolfhound. Unfortunately they are so expensive to take care of
I would not want to clean up after any of these dogs on a walk! Or buy food for them! They look sweet, but not a house pet (for me). 🤗
Hadn't even thought about that. I don't think those little baggies on the leash would take care of a cowpie.
Load More Replies...I have one of these dogs, but mine is crossed between a greyhound. So it's very fast and very large.
It just comes with the territory. Dog owners do not care more about the stuff, they care more about the dogs.
Load More Replies...i love how gently and lovely they look! they are literally monster-sized doggos, but still manage to be that cute
Mine eats about 10 cups of kibble on a good day maybe 6 on average and plenty of other meat bits from my food
Load More Replies...I don't like these kind posts! pissed me off, because I have severe Allergy...and I love to have a cuddle doggos...f***k to allergens
I get more and more conflicted about buying one. My heart always melts after seeing photos like this and then I remember their average lifespan. Maybe one day, I'll get an wolfhound. Right now, I'm tearing up thinking about 'how I would cope if I lost my wolfhound' and I don't even own one yet!
These dogs are adorable and amazing, but I'm curious as to what makes them always look kind of dirty and disheveled? Do they have greasy skin or?
No they don't have greasy skin, they are wire coated and unless specifically groomed for the show ring this is just them in their natural condition. I guess they just look that way to you cos they are so huge - so everything is kind of magnified :)
Load More Replies...Having owned 2 IWs amid all my collies I identify with these photos. They are great.
Love love love Wolfies, big, beautiful, goofy, sweethearts. I always wanted one but never had the right kind of home. Now I do, but I have a big rescue hound which is as close as I'm going to get I think!
Life expectancy of 6-8 years and full of genetic defects. You think that’s hilarious?
I absolutely LOVE this!!! Thank you so much for sharing it!! Wolfhounds are my very favorite dogs, and I doubt seriously I'll ever get to own one, so I love getting to share the love vicariously!! They are all GORGEOUS!!
I love them they are just beautiful dogs So big but they really do not know that !
I absolutely love the fact that when they're born, they weigh as much as a bag of sugar, but then they turn into those monstrous snuggle monsters!
Irish Wolfhounds are sighthounds that were originally bred to hunt wolves. They are not a mix of wolf and domestic hound. Contrary to what the AKC website states, there is no evidence that these dogs hunted the Irish Elk. Sadly, the giant breeds do not have long lives. Irish Wolfhounds average 5-7 years of age.
I'm a dog person, wolfhounds are awesome dogs... but why on earth would anyone (in their right mind) have one if they didn't live on a farm? Living in a normal size house (let alone an apartment) ought to be considered cruelty to these animals.
I have 3 and do live on acreage however you would be very surprised how little room is required. These guys love to go for a run a couple of times a day and then basically sleep all day. So long as you are prepared to take them out for their couple of runs, it's no different to have additional humans in your home, they take up a similar amount of space as a full grown human, but don't come with any of the humans downsides ;)
Load More Replies...Ugh I would literally kill to get an Irish wolfhound. Unfortunately they are so expensive to take care of
I would not want to clean up after any of these dogs on a walk! Or buy food for them! They look sweet, but not a house pet (for me). 🤗
Hadn't even thought about that. I don't think those little baggies on the leash would take care of a cowpie.
Load More Replies...I have one of these dogs, but mine is crossed between a greyhound. So it's very fast and very large.
It just comes with the territory. Dog owners do not care more about the stuff, they care more about the dogs.
Load More Replies...