You don’t so much meet an Irish Wolfhound as you realize the room has a furry horizon.
Probably the first thing you’ll see when you walk in is that vast landscape of white-gray shag that just blocks your view of everything else. It seems to go on forever, except for a big grin and quizzical, beady eyes looking out at you from somewhere behind the moppish mass, and the rhythmic thumping of a wispy tail somewhere in the distance.
CAN THEY COPE WITH THE HEAT?
Ancient Irish peoples wrote poems and literature about these great Dogs, who were said to have been used for hunting at least as long ago as the fourth century.
With Irish Wolfhounds’ utterly massive size and copious fur, it’s not difficult to imagine them running around in the cold and misty moors of that distant land – a far cry from the balmy tropics of the Philippines.
“Climate isn’t really an issue for island-born Irish Wolfhounds,” says veterinarian Dr. Rich Briones. “They adjust well here, and their coats still grow beautifully despite the heat.”
What kind of Filipino family would enjoy caring for an Irish Wolfhound? “I think Filipino families who love big breeds, especially those who enjoy spending time outdoors, would really appreciate them,” Briones believes.
But space can be a sticky issue for these Dogs, figuratively and literally, especially in a typically tight metro abode. The breed thrives with a yard, for sure, but a yardless home also works if a family can give what square meters can’t: time on the ground, invigorating walks before the city heats up, and lots of play.
With Irish Wolfhounds’ utterly massive size and copious fur, it’s not difficult to imagine them running around in the cold and misty moors of that distant land – a far cry from the balmy tropics of the Philippines.
GENTLE GIANTS
Their high energy aside, Irish Wolfhounds are gentle giants, almost by default. They can be soft-mouthed with kids, patient with the elderly, and peaceable with other Dogs.
The breed’s reputation for calm is firmed up through early socialization – short, positive exposure to people, places, and the everyday bustle of metro streets. “They’re very trainable,” Briones explains.
Their high energy aside, Irish Wolfhounds are gentle giants, almost by default.
ARE THEY GOOD HOME GUARDIANS?
Irish Wolfhounds’ overall laid-back demeanor makes them excellent companion Dogs, but they lack the wariness and pensive aloofness that people tend to associate with guard Dogs. Nevertheless, their impressive size gives them a commanding presence that might give a would- be intruder pause.
It’s a trait that some households might actually find valuable: Here’s a Dog who’s gentle on the inside, so much so that you can trust them with your kids and family, but on the outside wears a mien that strangers would find, well, mean.
So while you may need to invest in other means of home security, an Irish Wolfhound certainly makes for an impressive visual deterrent.
Here’s a Dog who’s gentle on the inside, so much so that you can trust them with your kids and family, but on the outside wears a mien that strangers would find, well, mean.
ARE THEY YOUR NEXT ANIMAL COMPANION?
If you’re deciding whether an Irish Wolfhound fits into your life, map your family’s rhythms to the Dog’s needs. Do you already rise early? Do you like being outdoors before the city wakes up?
“One of the best parts is watching them all run and play like crazy in the mornings during their outdoor time!” Briones confesses.
If that sentence feels like your weekend, you’re closer to ready than you think. Better take one last long look at your room – you won’t be seeing much of it anymore, with that big lovable bundle of fur in the way.
Photos by JEFFREY LIM
