Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane: Which is Right for You?

So, you’ve decided you want to adopt a giant dog breed and have narrowed it down to two: the Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane. Both breeds are known for their massive sizes and calm natures, but when it comes to choosing between them, there are key differences to consider.

Which pup is right for you? This article provides an in-depth comparison of both breeds, helping you understand their size, temperament, exercise requirements, and overall suitability for different homes.

Irish Wolfhound vs. Great Dane: key differences

Choosing the right dog breed for you isn’t just about looks — it’s also about things like how much grooming they’ll need and how much drool you’re okay with. Here’s a quick look at the main differences between the Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane.

Key similarities between Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane

Despite their differences, the Irish Wolfhound and the Great Dane have quite a few things in common. Here are some of the qualities they share.

• Gentle temperament: Both breeds are known for their gentle, calm, and friendly natures. 

• Affectionate and loyal: These breeds are incredibly devoted to their families. They often forget their size and may try to snuggle on your lap, craving close contact with their favorite humans.

• Good with kids: Their patience and calm demeanor make them well-suited for families with children. However, their large size means supervision is needed during interactions with young kids, because they could unintentionally knock them over.

• Protective instincts: While not typically aggressive, protective tendencies may emerge if these breeds sense threats to their families. 

• Potential wariness of strangers: If not well-socialized, these breeds can become wary of strangers.

• Exercise needs: While these breeds may happily embrace couch-potato life if given the chance, regular exercise is essential for their physical and mental well-being. Both have moderate exercise needs, usually satisfied with an hour of combined leash walking and playtime in a secure, fenced area.

Richard / AdobeStock/

Physical characteristics

Next, let’s take a closer look at these breeds’ physical characteristics.

Irish Wolfhound size and appearance

• Height and weight: This breed is the tallest in the world. Females are a minimum of 30 inches at the shoulder and weigh about 105 pounds. Males are a minimum of 32 inches and weigh about 120 pounds. They have a lean and muscular physique.

• Coat: These dogs have a long double coat that consists of a wiry outer coat covering a soft undercoat. 

• Color: They come in various colors, including black, brindle, cream, gray, red, silver, blue, white, or combinations of these colors. 

• Unique traits: They have adorable wiry beards and eyebrows.

Great Dane size, height, and appearance

• Size: This breed is slightly shorter but stockier. Female Great Danes range from 28 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110 to 140 pounds. Male Great Danes stand 30 to 32 inches tall and weigh 140 to 175 pounds. 

• Coat: These dogs have short, smooth coats with fine hair. 

• Color: They come in various colors, including black, white, blue, brindle, fawn, chocolate, silver, or combinations of these colors. 

• Unique traits: They have a broad chest and a square jawline.

Personality and temperament

When it comes to personality and temperament, Irish Wolfhounds and Great Danes are quite similar, with a few small differences. Here’s what to expect.

Irish Wolfhound personality

Irish Wolfhounds were once renowned for hunting wolves, playing a key role in eradicating wolves in Ireland. Their hunting heritage might prompt them to chase animals such as deer, squirrels, and rabbits. Some Irish Wolfhounds don’t chase cats, especially if raised with them, while others will. 

However, their predatory instincts end there. Today, Irish Wolfhounds are the epitome of gentleness and calmness. Despite their towering stature, they’re incredibly patient, sensitive, and loyal to their families. 

They sometimes have an independent side and may not be as eager to obey commands. This can make training a bit more challenging (but certainly doable with a consistent positive reinforcement approach). 

Great Dane personality 

Great Danes, once prized by German nobles for hunting wild boars and guarding estates, have evolved into gentle giants with a temperament far removed from their fierce boarhound ancestors. 

While they still embody the loyalty and protective instincts of their past, modern Great Danes are affectionate and gentle, and bring a calm and steady presence to the home. Despite their laid-back demeanors, Great Danes have a playful, goofy side that will keep you laughing. But fair warning, they’ll quickly claim the coziest spots in the house as their own. 

Great Danes are eager to please, which makes them relatively easy to train with a positive reinforcement approach.

Kamila / AdobeStock/

Lifestyle and care requirements

Caring for a giant breed requires consideration of their unique exercise, grooming, and health needs. Here’s how the Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane compare in terms of lifestyle and care requirements.

Exercise needs

Giant breeds require a specialized approach to exercise to encourage proper leg development during their puppy growth phase. Avoid letting your puppy climb stairs, as it can strain or damage their growing joints and legs. To protect them, use a stair gate as a temporary barrier.

Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane puppies should stick to very short on-leash walks (just a few minutes) and brief off-leash play sessions in secure areas. 

Exercise should be gradually increased until they’re fully grown, eventually reaching an adult routine of about an hour a day that combines leashed walks and free running in a secure environment. These dogs are more suited to bursts of exercise rather than distance exercise, like running. Talk to your vet to create an exercise plan suited to your puppy or adult dog’s specific needs.

Grooming and shedding

• Irish Wolfhounds: This breed has a wiry, rough coat. They shed year-round (though not excessively), with two heavier shedding seasons in the spring and fall. Their coat requires weekly brushing to stay tangle-free. A handheld rake comb works well for the undercoat, while a pin brush is ideal for the outer coat. Bathing is typically needed about once a month. Additionally, their wiry coat requires hand-stripping twice a year to remove dead outer hair. While many pet parents opt to have this done by a professional groomer, it’s a skill you can learn to do at home with the right tools and techniques.

• Great Danes: With their short, sleek coat that sheds minimally, this breed has low grooming needs. You may notice increased shedding in the fall and spring seasons. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry comb will help manage their light shedding. They typically only need a bath once a month.

Health and lifespan 

• Irish Wolfhound: Common health concerns in this breed include heart disease, eye disorders (particularly progressive retinal atrophy), bloat, liver shunt, pneumonia, certain cancers (particularly osteosarcoma), and joint problems. Sighthounds also tend to be sensitive to anesthesia. Due to their large size, they have a relatively short expected lifespan of six to eight years. 

• Great Dane: Gastric dilatation-volvulus (aka GDV, a complication of bloat) is the leading cause of death in Great Danes. Many Dane parents consider a surgery called a prophylactic gastropexy that can help prevent GDV. Other common health issues that can affect the breed include heart disease, eyelid disorders, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and osteoarthritis. This breed has a relatively short expected lifespan of seven to 10 years, which is slightly longer than the Irish Wolfhound. 

Note: Because of their large sizes, medications for these dogs tend to be pricier than for smaller breeds, because dosage is based on weight.

Diet 

As giant breeds, Irish Wolfhounds and Great Danes require significant amounts of food daily, leading to higher food costs compared to the average dog. The specific type and quantity of food should be tailored to your dog’s age, activity level, and overall health, so it’s important to ask your veterinarian for guidance. 

Most pet parents feed their dogs two measured meals daily. This helps with digestion and reduces the risk of bloat. Monitor treats and extra food closely to prevent excessive weight gain, as this can strain their joints.

Danil Nevsky / Stocksy/

Pros and cons of each breed based on your lifestyle

Now that we’ve explored the details, here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons of each breed based on activity level, personality, and how they fit with your lifestyle.

Should you adopt an Irish Wolfhound?

• What to expect: Irish Wolfhounds have a gentle and calm nature, are friendly, great with children, and have moderate grooming and exercise needs.

• What to keep in mind: Irish Wolfhounds have a short lifespan, require significant space, have high prey drive around smaller animals, are prone to health issues like heart problems and bloat, require more grooming than a Great Dane, and may be more difficult to train than a Great Dane. They also have higher food and veterinary care costs due to size than most dogs.

Should you adopt a Great Dane?

• What to expect: Great Danes are affectionate and gentle, have goofy personalities, minimal grooming needs, are great with children, are easy to train, and have moderate exercise requirements.

• What to keep in mind: Great Danes are prone to health issues like bloat and joint problems, moderate to high prey drive, short lifespan, need plenty of space, higher food and vet costs due to size, and tend to drool a lot.

How to adopt an Irish Wolfhound or Great Dane

If you’ve decided that one of these breeds is the right fit for your family, the next step is finding your match. You can visit breed-specific rescues, which often focus on rehoming Irish Wolfhounds or Great Danes. Local shelters and pet adoption events are also worth checking, as these dogs and their mixes occasionally become available. 

Adopt a Pet is another great resource. You can search for Irish Wolfhounds and Great Danes available through shelters, rescues, and individuals near you. 

But before you adopt, consider the ongoing costs, such as food, grooming, and healthcare, which can be significant for giant breeds. Whether you adopt a puppy or an adult dog, ask questions about their history, health, and temperament to determine if they’re a good fit for your lifestyle. 

Commonly asked questions

How long do Great Danes live compared to Irish Wolfhounds?

Great Danes generally live seven to 10 years, while Irish Wolfhounds have a slightly shorter lifespan of six to eight years, though some dogs may fall outside these ranges.

Which dogs are similar to Irish Wolfhounds? 

Dogs similar to Irish Wolfhounds include other giant breeds and sighthounds like the Scottish Deerhound, Borzoi, Greyhound, Afghan Hound, and Great Dane. 

Are Great Danes or Irish Wolfhounds better for families?

Both breeds are wonderful family dogs, so neither is inherently better than the other. However, their large size means monitoring is needed around young children, as they could unintentionally knock them over. 

Which breed is more affordable to own?

Great Danes may be slightly more affordable due to lower grooming costs, but both breeds have high food and vet expenses.

References

Burke, Anna. “Great Dane Lifespan & Health Issues.” American Kennel Club, 30 May 2017, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/great-dane-life-span.

“Great Dane Dog Breed Information.” American Kennel Club, 6 Nov. 2017, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/great-dane.

‌‌“Irish Wolfhound Health and Longevity.” Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., www.iwclubofamerica.org/health.

‌“Irish Wolfhound Dog Breed Information.” American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/irish-wolfhound.