History of the breed

The beginnings of Irish Wolfhounds can be traced back as early as 273B.C. through ancient woodcuts and writings. Today's Irish Wolfhounds are descended from the Cu, the hounds owned and valued by Irish chieftains and warriors from the earliest recorded Irish history and legends, which are full of the mention of them. By the year 391 A.D., the breed was known in Rome. Dominant traits that made them legendary - their loyalty, and prowess as hunters - still remain with them today. Ownership of these great hounds was highly restricted. They were sent as highly coveted gifts to emperors, kings, nobility and poets.

Irish Wolfhounds were highly prized for their hunting abilities, particularly in pursuit of the now extinct gigantic Irish elk and the wolf. At the same time, they were known for their gentleness in domestic situations. The disappearance of the Irish elk and the wolf from Ireland, along with the excessive exportation of Wolfhounds caused the breed to almost become extinct by the 17th century.

We owe the preservation of the breed to Scottish Deerhound breeder, Capt. George Augustus Graham, (1833-1909), a Scottish officer in the British army who collected the last remaining specimens and over a period of 23 years began a breeding program which through judicious outcrosses reestablished the Irish Wolfhound. It was under his supervision that the first breed standard was set forth.

1652 A directive was issued banning the transportation of Irish Wolfhounds from Ireland

1879 Irish Wolfhounds appear for the first time as a separate breed in Dublin, Ireland, at The Irish Kennel Club Show

1884 The first Irish Wolfhound Club was formed in Britain.

Irish Wolfhound books

Bremner, Muriel Monsell “The wolfhound guide to Irish Wolfhound” 1998 Wolfhound Press ISBN 0-86327-636-9

deQuoy, Alfred. The Irish Wolfhound Guide

deQuoy, Alfred. The Irish Wolfhound in Competition

deQuoy, Alfred. The Irish Wolfhound saga

Donovan, John A K. The Irish Wolfhound. Great symbol of Ireland. Colorado: Alpine, 1986, ISBN 0931866227

Donovan, John A K. You and your Irish Wolfhound. Virginia: Denlingers,1976, ISBN 0877140537

Donovan, John. The IW, Great Symbol of Ireland (l986)

Hudson, D E S. The Brabyns handbook on Irish Wolfhounds. D E S Hudson, Optichrome, Working, Surrey, UK 1981, ISBN 0950777005

Gardner, Phylis. The Irish Wolfhound (reproduction by E. Murphy, l98l) ISBN 0 85221 104 x

Gordon, John “A Bartholomew breed guide to the Irish Wolfhound” 1973 John Bartholomew and Son, ISBN 0-85152-918-6

Gover, Linda “The Irish Wolfhound” Kingdom Books England 1998 ISBN 185279077-6

Kane, Alice “Irish wolfhound” 2001 Interpet ISBN 1-84286-024-0

McBryde, Mary. The Irish Wolfhound : symbol of celtic splendor.N.Y., Howell Book House, 1998

Mary McBryde “The magnificent Irish Wolfhound” Ringpress Books 1998 ISBN 1 86054 088 0

Murphy, Elizabeth C. The Irish Wolfhound. A collection of photographs and pedigrees. Ireland and UK 1950-1990. E C Murphy, 1991, ISBN 0950481645

Murphy, E.isabeth C “Raising, showing, breeding. The Irish wolfhound” 1994 Elisabeth Murphy ISBN 0-9504816-53

Pisano, Beverly. Irish Wolfhounds. N.J: T.F.H, 1981 ISBN 0876667183

Samaha, Joel. The new complete Irish Wolfhound. 1991 Macmillan ISBN 0-87605-171-9.

Starbuck, Alma J.The complete Irish Wolfhound. 3rd ed. N.Y: Howell, 1986, ISBN 0876051700

Sutton, Catherine G. “The Irish Wolfhound” 1975 K&R Books Queniborough Leics UK, ISBN 090326403

Westover, Fredric and Margaret “How to rise and train an irish wolfhound” 1964 TFH Publications