You've been thinking of getting a dog for the family for quite some time and have finally decided on the Irish wolfhound. This is an excellent choice for a pet. They make an excellent companion dog that will love spending as much time with you as you will allow.
Hopefully, you are planning on keeping your new Irish wolfhound inside, as he won't be happy kept outdoors away from you and the family. You need to be aware, however, that the Irish wolfhound is a very large dog. In fact, they are the world's tallest breed of dog. They are so tall that one of them, a dog named Gibson, made the Guinness Book of World Records for being the tallest dog in the world. He was 7 feet long and stood 42 inches high at the shoulder. While this might sound interesting to have a World record dog, remember that you will have to live with this. Unless you have a lot of extra room indoors, I wouldn't pick the biggest pup in the litter!
The Irish wolfhound is a big dog, but also a gentle breed of dog. If you are looking for a guard dog, this is not the dog for you. While their size may scare strangers away, their temperament won't. They are far too loving of a dog to make a good guard dog. They will bark when strangers come, so they are a good watchdog. If the Irish wolfhound you are thinking of getting is showing signs of aggression, don't assume that he'll make a great watch/guard dog. This is not in their nature and perhaps this is not the Irish wolfhound you should consider bringing into your home. You will find a happy and affectionate Irish wolfhound from a reputable breeder.
Whether you are looking for a puppy or an adult, make sure it is friendly towards your children. While the Irish wolfhound is great with children, there is always a bad apple in every bag, so to speak. If the dog seems skittish or overly shy, don't always assume that he'll come around to the kids in time. Many times this is a sign of an underlying problem that often gets worse with time or requires extensive professional training. A puppy, especially an Irish wolfhound, should be playful and full of life, jumping and licking and doing puppy stuff.
Although the Irish wolfhound is a fairly healthy dog, you should still get some sort of a health guarantee from the breeder. If not, consider another breeder. If you are dead set on getting a specific Irish wolfhound that does not come with a guarantee, have a vet check him over before you buy him and take him home. The Irish wolfhound does not have a really long life span like some dogs, only 6 to 8 years as an average. You don't want to get attached to one only to find out later he was sick when you bought him.
The Irish wolfhound will bring you and the family a lot of happiness with all their playful antics and wonderful loyalty.
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