Irish Wolfhound Puppy Milestones

Quick Take

• Most owners spay or neuter too early, and for Irish wolfhounds this timing mistake carries a serious physical consequence. Spay/neuter timing risks →
• Your Irish wolfhound will hit a growth milestone at one year, but that's nowhere near the finish line. Males actually have a surprisingly long road ahead. Full maturity timeline →
• Training should start before you think it should, and the very first cues aren't the ones most owners reach for. Early training cues →
• Irish wolfhounds are the tallest AKC breed, but their build contradicts what you'd expect from a dog that size. Adult size and build →

Irish wolfhounds are the tallest among all the American Kennel Club (AKC) breeds. They have wiry, shaggy coats that come in a variety of colors, such as fawn, black, gray, white, and brindle. These enormous dogs stand 30 to 33 inches tall and can weigh between 105 and 140 pounds. These giant dogs were originally bred to hunt wolves. Today, however, they are much-loved family pets known for their calm temperament. Continue reading to learn about these gentle giants and what to expect as they age.

When Will My Irish Wolfhound Stop Growing?

Irish wolfhounds are giant dogs that mature more slowly than smaller breeds. Puppies will reach their full height of about 30 to 35 inches at the shoulder at about one year of age. However, they are very lean and gangly at this stage. Female Irish wolfhounds physically mature more quickly than males. Because females are typically smaller than males, they attain their adult weight and stature between 18 and 24 months. Male Irish wolfhound puppies will continue to gain muscle until they are approximately three years old.

How Big Will My Irish Wolfhound Be When It’s Fully Grown?

An average adult male Irish Wolfhound stands at least 32 inches tall at the shoulder and typically weighs between 120 and 140 pounds, though some individuals may be larger.

An average adult female Irish Wolfhound stands at least 30 inches tall at the shoulder and typically weighs between 105 and 120 pounds, though some individuals may be larger. While they are slightly smaller and lighter than the males, they are still exceptionally large dogs that are taller than the males of most other giant breeds.

Although Irish wolfhounds are the tallest AKC-recognized dog breed, they are not the heaviest. Irish wolfhounds were bred for speed, as evidenced by their lean, athletic build.

When Should My Irish Wolfhound Be House Broken?

Irish wolfhounds are intelligent and easy to train, beginning as early as 8 weeks. Because of their large size, Irish wolfhound puppies have larger bladders than many puppies and can typically go longer between bathroom breaks. However, larger bladders mean bigger accidents, so it’s a good idea to have a supply of cleaning products at the ready.

Crate training is a highly effective method for training Irish wolfhounds. Ideally, purchase an adult-sized crate for your Irish wolfhound, but use dividers so the space can be adjusted as your puppy grows.
Puppies feel safer in smaller spaces and are less likely to have accidents in unused corners. Eliminate accidents by taking your puppy out upon waking, after eating, and before being crated for the night.

When Should My Irish Wolfhound Be Spayed or Neutered?

Because the Irish wolfhound is a giant breed that matures less rapidly than smaller dog breeds, most veterinarians and breed experts advise waiting until at least 18 to 24 months, and sometimes until after 24 months for males, before spaying or neutering an Irish wolfhound puppy. Evidence suggests that sterilizing this breed too early can cause hip dysplasia due to growth plates that weren’t given time to close fully.

When Should My Irish Wolfhound Stop Eating Puppy Food?

Irish wolfhound puppies can safely make the switch from puppy food to adult food between a year and a half and two years of age. For the first 8 to 12 months, these extra-large pups should be fed a diet formulated for giant breed puppies. From nine months of age until they transition to adult food, they should be fed a junior giant-breed formula.

Most Irish wolfhound puppies are ready to transition to adult food between 18 and 24 months of age, depending on their individual growth and development. To make the transition as smooth as possible, start with a mix of 3/4 puppy food and 1/4 adult food for the first two or three days. Continue to adjust the ratio every two to three days until your Irish wolfhound puppy is eating 100% adult food.

When Will My Irish Wolfhound Start Teething?

Teething in Irish wolfhound puppies is an intense developmental phase that begins at three to four months of age and typically wraps up by the time they are seven to eight months old. Irish wolfhound puppies will begin to lose their 28 deciduous (baby) teeth at three to four months of age, when their permanent teeth start to erupt. Between four and six months, their adult canine, fang-like teeth will have emerged, and by eight months of age, the average Irish wolfhound puppy will have a full set of 42 adult teeth.

When Should I Start Training My Irish Wolfhound?

When it comes to training an Irish wolfhound puppy, the sooner you start, the better. Training can begin as early as seven weeks. Start by teaching the puppy where their food and water are, where their bed is, what time they should go to bed, when they should go outside, and where they will be groomed. Consistency is vital, and daily routines should remain unchanged as much as possible.

After establishing a routine, you can start teaching your puppy specific cues. Positive reinforcement works wonders when training, such as rewarding your pup with a treat when they do what you want.

The first two cues you can teach an Irish wolfhound are no and yes. To do this, stop the puppy when it is doing something undesirable, and reward or give attention when it does something acceptable. After that, you can move on to commands like sit by holding a treat above and slightly behind their head, encouraging them to tilt their head back and eventually sit. When they have mastered sit, you can move on to stay and more complex cues.

When Will My Irish Wolfhound Calm Down?

Irish wolfhounds generally calm down by the age of two, although this can vary depending on the individual dog’s training, lifestyle, and exercise. Socialization and training are essential and should be consistent throughout your dog’s life.