Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
Learn More

8 Interesting Facts You Never Knew About The Irish Wolfhound

| September 9, 2015

One of the gentlest dog breeds, the giant Irish wolfhound has a rich and old history – full of amazing facts you probably never knew! Here are interesting facts about this amazing breed. Do you own one? Share a picture in the comments!

#1 – Bred for their tall stature, they were used to knock knights of their horses in Ireland where they were used as war dogs as well as hunting dogs.

Image source: @PhillipWilson via Flickr
Image source: @PhillipWilson via Flickr

#2 – The great Irish chief Fionn mac Cumhall did not even use horses or chariots, but instead was said to have two hounds for every foot soldier. The Chief himself is said to have had over two hundred adult hounds.

Image source: @PSParrot via Flickr
Image source: @PSParrot via Flickr

#3 – Oliver Cromwell decreed that the dogs not be allowed out of Ireland after their numbers had dwindled, thus saving the breed. (irishwolfhounds.org)

Image source: @airwolfhound via Flickr
Image source: @airwolfhound via Flickr

#4 – The famous Dorothy Osborne requested an Irish wolfhound from Henry Cromwell when he was courting her. Although she received two of them from Cromwell, she did not marry him. (irishwolfounds.org)

Image source: "Dorothy, Lady Temple by Gaspar Netscher" by Gaspar Netscher (died 1684) - National Portrait Gallery. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Image source: “Dorothy, Lady Temple by Gaspar Netscher” by Gaspar Netscher (died 1684) – National Portrait Gallery. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

#5 – While today’s hounds are known as “gentle giants,” ancient Irish wolfhounds were fierce protectors – so much so that all guests had to be secured indoors prior to letting the dogs loose to protect the grounds at night. (www.irishwolfhounds.org).

Image source: @peggycadigan via Flickr
Image source: @peggycadigan via Flickr

#6 – While they come in a variety of shades from cream to black, blue was not a permitted color. In fact, puppies who started to turn blue were destroyed by early breeders. It is now recognized, however, and quite common.

Image source: @peggycadigan via Flickr
Image source: @peggycadigan via Flickr

#7 – The Royal Irish Regiment of the British Army still uses an Irish wolfhound as a mascot.

//

Posted by The Royal Irish Regiment on Monday, March 16, 2015

#8 – In Scotland, a few Irish wolfhounds have been used for herding; they introduced them to sheep through a pet lamb in the kitchen to teach the dog sheep were family, not prey. (www.irishwolfhounds.org)

Image source: Irishwolfhounds.org
Image source: Irishwolfhounds.org

(H/T: IrishCentral.com)

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog

Loading Checkout...

United StatesClose
Flag of United States
Powered by
duty and tax information for United States

Looks like your ad blocker is on.

×

We rely on ads to keep creating quality content for you to enjoy for free.

Please support our site by disabling your ad blocker.

Continue without supporting us

Choose your Ad Blocker

  • Adblock Plus
  • Adblock
  • Adguard
  • Ad Remover
  • Brave
  • Ghostery
  • uBlock Origin
  • uBlock
  • UltraBlock
  • Other
  1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock Plus icon
  2. Click the large blue toggle for this website
  3. Click refresh
  1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock icon
  2. Under "Pause on this site" click "Always"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Adguard icon
  2. Click on the large green toggle for this website
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Ad Remover icon
  2. Click "Disable on This Website"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the orange lion icon
  2. Click the toggle on the top right, shifting from "Up" to "Down"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Ghostery icon
  2. Click the "Anti-Tracking" shield so it says "Off"
  3. Click the "Ad-Blocking" stop sign so it says "Off"
  4. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock Origin icon
  2. Click on the big, blue power button
  3. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock icon
  2. Click on the big, blue power button
  3. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the UltraBlock icon
  2. Check the "Disable UltraBlock" checkbox
  1. Please disable your Ad Blocker
  2. Disable any DNS blocking tools such as AdGuardDNS or NextDNS

If the prompt is still appearing, please disable any tools or services you are using that block internet ads (e.g. DNS Servers).