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Irish Wolfhound History
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The Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed whose origins are shrouded in mystery and obscured by time. Experts on the breed believe it was brought to Ireland sometime around 1500 BC, possibly from Greece. Known to the Celtic people as Cu, meaning hound or wolf dog, the Irish Wolfhound is mentioned in Irish laws and literature predating the Christian era. Traditionally the dog could only be owned by the nobility, but by the time the Romans first encountered the Irish Wolfhound in 391 AD it had become more widespread. The dog was prized by the Irish people for its ability to take down wolves and enormous Irish Elk, which often stood over eight feet in height.
By the 19th century the Irish Wolfhound had fallen on very hard times. The Irish Elk was long extinct, and wolves had also disappeared from the Emerald Isle during the previous century. The dog’s numbers were further cut down by the Irish Potato Famine of 1845, and by the 1860s the breed had almost gone the way of its former quarry. In 1862, a breeder by the name of Captain George Graham took it upon himself to save the breed. Graham gathered the last remaining wolfhounds in Ireland and successfully bred them to Scottish Deerhounds, Great Danes, Tibetan Wolfdogs and other large breeds. Through his efforts the breed was saved, and enjoyed a renaissance as a show breed and companion pet. The Irish Wolfhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1897.
