The history of the Irish Wolfhound

First off all we must say, the term Wolfhound is not involved with wolf dog in the usual sense of the word wolf. The name originates from English and means dogs with the designation to hunt.

Start of the history of the Irish Wolfhound was probably already more than 2000 years ago.
Already in Egypt, 2500 v. Ch., exist wall designs of enormous wind-dog like dogs, which are probably master dogs of all us today known wind dog races.

The first known designs originate from the time between 1400 and 1000 v. Ch. They show the large dogs of the Celt, of which also many legends and legends report based. The Celts also brought these enormous dogs to the northernmost point of its emigrations to Ireland .
The first written narrations originate from the first century n. CH, when the Romans found these enormous dogs with their conquest of England.

In 12th and 13th century in contrast to the hunting dogs, which were held in pride in kennels, noble circles was much like the Irish Wolfhound as a house dog. They were allowed to ligh beside there Master for fire-place to be appropriate and did not have not to live in the kennel .
At that time the dogs were called Cu-Culain.

Probably in 15th Century they received to the names Irish Wolfhound. At that time was each county obligates to hold 24 Wolfhounds, in order to protect the herds of the farmers against encroachments by wolf herds.

When the number of the wolves, bears and moose decreased went back, the Irish Wolfhound became due to its imposanten shape the export hit from Ireland, with which kings and zaren in completely Europe were presented.
This strong export and other factors led to which the existence decreased in breed dogs strongly. Therefore 1652 the export of the Irish Wolfhound from Ireland were forbidden of Olliver Cromwell.
Nevertheless the race applied to become extinct at the time of 1840.
1862 were it then Captain Graham, which made itself to the task of life to receive again to breed the Irish Wolfhound.
With much patience and perseverance he crossed the few remaining breed animals with Doggen and Deerhounds, in order to get back the old size of nearly a meter. Only after many years it succeeded to strengthen with the Irish Wolfhound suitably the size of also the type.


 

This way became the Irish Wolfhound like we know it today.