Is the Irish Wolfhound a good family dog?

147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan
147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan | Bryan Bedder/GettyImages

If you love dogs, then you might already be familiar with the Irish Wolfhound. These large pups can often be seen at dog shows, such as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and they are usually quite imposing in their looks and presence. After all, these dogs are quite large in stature.

However, just because this is a large dog, that doesn't mean that they are fierce warriors or even the "big-game hunters" that they once were. In fact, over the years, this breed has undergone a transformation that makes them less hunter dogs and more gentle giants.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), these dogs are very serene and gentle. This gentleness makes them not the best guard dogs. But it does make them great as family dogs. These pups are great as companion animals and it is said that the Irish Wolfhound is "characteristically patient with kids, though animals their size should be supervised around small children."

The Irish Wolfhound is a great companion dog for families

One has to consider the Irish Wolfhound's size when thinking of bringing one of these dogs home with you. These dogs are quite large and they may not even mean too knock someone over, especially a child. They may be gentle, but they are large. And if you have ever been around a larger dog, you might notice that they aren't nearly as coordinated as you would expect.

A loving dog might get excited and in the case of an Irish Wolfhound, that could mean taking you down with them. It is not a bad thing, but it definitely means that we need to pay attention if you also have smaller children in the home.

The Irish Wolfhound is a great choice for families with a lot of room and who are looking for gentle companions who are very loving and affectionate. These pups get along well with other dogs and are good with children, although their size might be a deterrent if you have a very small child. In general, these pups are only barking when they want to tell you something and they are definitely in the middle of being couch potatoes and needing a ton of activity, which can be great for family life.

These dogs are amazing in so many ways and we love the idea of showing the Irish Wolfhound some love of their own, as they tend not to get the same attention as the usual breeds, such as a the Golden Retrievers or the German Shepherds.