00:00 Guess who the award for the tallest dog breed in the world goes to?
00:04 The Irish Wolfhound.
00:05 If this dog has been on your radar, then no, you're gonna have to make some room.
00:10 A giant breed needs space to stretch those gangly legs, you know?
00:14 In today's video, we're gonna be showing you all the wonderful things that make this
00:18 breed exceptional.
00:19 So stay with us, there's plenty to learn.
00:21 Hey everybody, welcome to Pet Spot.
00:24 Make sure you watch the video to the end to find out just why these dogs are not recommended
00:29 for families with kids even though they're extremely sweet and loving.
00:33 But just before we jump into that, if you do go on to enjoy the video, please be sure
00:37 to click the like button and subscribe to the channel for more amazing animal content.
00:42 Let's get into it.
00:44 The Irish Wolfhound has all the marks of nobility with his commanding appearance and powerful
00:50 posture.
00:51 However, underneath all that is a sweet dog with a gentle disposition and a twinkle in
00:55 his eyes.
00:56 The breed first appeared in Ireland and was primarily used for war and hunting.
01:01 However, as prey animals like wild boars, deer, and wolves began to disappear in Ireland,
01:07 the Irish Wolfhound slowly began to go extinct.
01:11 Thankfully, the breed was revived and as a result, we get to enjoy the companionship
01:16 of this wonderful dog as a part of the family today.
01:19 You'd classify the Irish Wolfhound as a giant dog breed.
01:23 It's the tallest of all dog breeds making it also the largest sighthound that there
01:28 is.
01:29 Naturally, it requires a considerable amount of daily exercise to keep that huge body in
01:34 shape.
01:35 So, if you plan on getting an Irish Wolfhound, then pencil in about 40-45 minutes of exercise
01:41 into your daily schedule.
01:43 On the flip side though, these guys are not at all rambunctious.
01:48 They are quite content with couch potato status and as long as they get their daily long walks,
01:53 they won't mind lazing around all day, unless they catch sight of prey that is.
01:58 This brings us to their hunting instincts.
02:00 Irish Wolfhounds live for the chase.
02:03 They can't help it.
02:04 Even with underground electronic fencing, this breed will still give chase.
02:09 The threat of a momentary shock is just not enough to deter these dogs from going after
02:14 prey when they sight one.
02:16 So make sure your yard is fully closed and secure.
02:20 Also, because of their strong hunting instinct, be sure to always walk them on a leash so
02:25 they don't chase every and anything that moves, even RC cars.
02:30 That said, Irish Wolfhounds do not make great apartment dogs.
02:34 First of all, there's just not enough space for this dog breed in an apartment.
02:38 They need lots of space to run, preferably a yard, but as mentioned above, one with a
02:44 fence to curb their chasing instincts.
02:47 Another reason these guys are not a great fit for people who live in apartments is the
02:51 possible presence of stairs.
02:53 Irish Wolfhounds just aren't built for navigating stairs.
02:57 This would, therefore, mean that if they ever get sick or injured, you'd have to carry
03:01 them up and down a flight of stairs.
03:03 That's not exactly convenient for all parties involved.
03:07 In terms of personality, the Irish Wolfhound is gentle, but also highly intelligent.
03:12 They love human companionship and are very sensitive to their humans' emotions.
03:17 This is why you want to use positive reinforcement when training them.
03:20 Praise and food rewards work excellently, but harsh words or physical punishment, as
03:26 expected, do not help at all.
03:29 Now, thanks to its size and history, one might think that the Irish Wolfhound would make
03:33 a good guard dog, but this isn't the case.
03:37 The Irish Wolfhound has the size for the role.
03:39 He's also sharp and alert, but when it comes to aggression, there isn't a single bone
03:45 in his entire body for that.
03:47 An Irish Wolfhound does not easily get suspicious and wouldn't even bark an alarm if he sees
03:52 an intruder.
03:53 He might be brave, but he isn't at all aggressive.
03:57 The Irish Wolfhound is the poster dog for gentle giants.
04:00 He gets along with pretty much everyone, other dogs, kids, and even get along with the family
04:06 cat in some cases.
04:08 However, this is only as long as he is socialized early.
04:12 You need to make sure that you socialize your Irish Wolfhound early enough.
04:17 If you do, he'll get along with other animals within his space.
04:20 Don't count on him getting along with other animals he finds outdoors, though.
04:24 With socialization, he'll be okay with other dogs, but definitely not cats.
04:29 Outdoor cats are fair game to this breed, socialized early or not.
04:34 That said, a good way to socialize your Irish Wolfhound puppy is to take him to a puppy
04:39 kindergarten.
04:40 Also, bringing visitors over regularly, taking him on walks to busy places and stores that
04:45 allow pets, letting him meet the neighbors and their pets are also effective ways to
04:50 help him refine his social skills.
04:52 Irish Wolfhounds don't shed much.
04:55 You'd only need to brush their coats weekly or even twice a month in many cases.
05:00 Nevertheless, they definitely aren't hypoallergenic dogs.
05:04 So if you or someone in your home is allergic to dogs, then this might not be the dog for
05:09 you.
05:10 Are Irish Wolfhounds great for families with small kids?
05:13 Not really, actually.
05:15 On the one hand, they are sweet and gentle with kids.
05:18 Nonetheless, their sheer size makes them very likely to scare, knock down, or even injure
05:24 toddlers with no meaning to do so.
05:26 For that reason, Irish Wolfhounds make better fits for homes with older kids, at least 6
05:32 years old of age.
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