The Irish Wolfhound and the Rottweilers are both iconic dog breeds and very different ones at that.
From size to temperament, coat care to health, there are important facts to learn about each purebred parent dog that can help determine if an Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix dog is the right choice for you.
In this article, gain a thorough overview of the Irish Wolfhound and the Rottweiler in turn, and learn more about how each parent dog breed might influence your hybrid puppy.
See an Irish Wolfhound and a Rottweiler Dog Playing Tug-of-War
In this YouTube video, watch an Irish Wolfhound and a Rottweiler playing a friendly game of tug-of-war.
It is interesting to see that while overall size favors the Irish Wolfhound, the Rottweiler is more than a match in strength. Luckily, these two dogs appear to be the best of friends.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler Mix: Dog Breeds History
Since it can be hard to predict what traits a hybrid puppy might inherit from either parent dog, you can prepare best by learning more about the traits of each parent dog – in this case, the Irish Wolfhound and the Rottweiler breeds.
Irish Wolfhound history
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Irish Wolfhound ranks 76th in popularity (out of 196 registered dog breeds in the United States).
The Irish Wolfhound may sound like the breed hails from Ireland, but in actuality, it is far older and arose from a pairing between giant British Isles dogs with racing hounds from the Middle East.
Developed to be ferocious hunters of the big game, these dogs are known to have a gentle, easygoing temperament – at least until they start running. Irish Wolfhounds are easily one of the fastest dog breeds in the world.
Rottweiler history
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Rottweiler ranks 8th in popularity (out of 196 registered dog breeds in the United States).
These wildly popular purebred dogs are strong, protective, loyal, and passionately devoted to their human families.
While the lineage of the Rottweiler may date back as far as the time of the ancient Roman legions, the breed name comes from a German town named Rottweil, where Rottweilers became known as the guardian and herding dog of choice for cattle ranchers.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix history
As you can see, both the Irish Wolfhound and the Rottweiler have a long and noble lineage as working dogs with very different roles.
The Irish Wolfhound breed is a hunting and coursing (racing) dog through and through. The Rottweiler, in contrast, is a herding and protection dog.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler Mix Personality & Temperament
What might an Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix dog be like in adulthood? Studying the temperament and personality of each parent dog breed can give you some clues.
Irish Wolfhound personality and temperament
The Irish Wolfhound is often called a “gentle giant” because these dogs seem to know their size and speed and have the unflappable personality that comes with it.
However, Irish Wolfhounds are long on courage and short on tolerance for threats to those they love. These dogs need plenty of socialization to learn how to tell the difference between a companion canine set.
Rottweiler personality and temperament
Rottweilers are absolutely beloved for their unwavering loyalty to their people and their stellar protection and guarding abilities.
But like Irish Wolfhounds, Rotties need intensive, extensive socialization and training from puppyhood to be able to behave appropriately when guests and strange animals are present.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mixs personality and temperament
From this overview, you can be sure your dog will need lots of positive training and reinforcement to learn to take their cue from you regarding who is a friend and who is a potential threat.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler Mix: Size, Height, and Weight
As you likely noticed from the video you watched here earlier, one area where the Irish Wolfhound and the Rottweiler are quite different is in their weight, height, and size.
Irish Wolfhound size, height, and weight
The Irish Wolfhound typically weighs between 105 and 120 pounds and stands 30+ inches tall in adulthood. Males are typically taller and heavier than females.
Rottweiler size, height, and weight
The Rottweiler generally weighs between 80 and 135 pounds and stands 22 to 27 inches tall in adulthood. Males are typically taller and heavier than females.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler size, height, and weight
While the Irish Wolfhound and the Rottweiler are actually not so different in terms of overall weight and height, they are very different in body shape and weight distribution.
This can make planning ahead for your adult Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler dog’s needs in every way. Will your pup grow up to be tall and rangy or shorter and stocky?
Working with a later-stage hybrid breeder (F2 or later) can help you predict your adult dog’s size.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler Mix: Training and Exercise Needs
Some dogs are more suited to people who enjoy an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. This is definitely true of both the Irish Wolfhound and the Rottweiler.
Irish Wolfhound training and exercise needs
The Irish Wolfhound is an active dog breed that should be given the chance to run and play but should never be let off leash in an unfenced area, as the Irish Wolfhound Club of America points out.
These sensitive dogs need positive reinforcement-based training only.
Rottweiler training and exercise needs
The Rottweiler, like the Irish Wolfhound, is a very active and energetic working dog that needs plenty of daily play and walks, as Vetstreet explains.
Rottweilers should always be trained using positive reinforcement methods.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler training and exercise needs
The Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix dog is definitely a better fit if you like to exercise and want to make your dog a big part of your active daily life.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler Mix: Coat Care, Shedding & Grooming
One common question many aspiring dog owners have concerns coat care. How much shedding will a dog do? How much brushing and grooming will be required?
Irish Wolfhound coat care, shedding, and grooming
The Irish Wolfhound has the thick, double-layer coat of the true working dog.
These long-coated dogs shed moderately year-round and more heavily when the seasons’ change (what is known as the “coat blow”).
They don’t need frequent baths but regular brushing is important to keep the long outer coat layer from tangling and matting.
Rottweiler coat care, shedding, and grooming
Rottweilers have a short, neat, flat coat in two layers. These dogs don’t need a lot of brushing, but increasing the amount of brushing will definitely help control shedding during the coat blow periods seasonally.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix coat care, shedding, and grooming
Either way, you will have a shedding dog, regardless of which purebred parent dog your Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix puppy most takes after.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler Mix: Longevity & Health Issues
As we mentioned here earlier, many purebred dog breeds today are beginning to develop serious genetic health issues.
Hybrid breeding programs can help improve the health of future generations, but only if the breeder has pre-screened parent dogs to avoid passing along known testable health issues.
Irish Wolfhound longevity and health issues
According to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database, the Irish Wolfhound breed has the following known possible genetic health issues you need to be aware of:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Elbow dysplasia.
- Eye health issues.
- Cardiac issues.
- Liver issues.
The Irish Wolfhound has a typical life expectancy of just six to eight years.
Rottweiler longevity and health issues
According to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database, the Rottweiler breed has the following known possible genetic health issues you need to be aware of:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Elbow dysplasia.
- Eye health issues.
- Cardiac issues.
- Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy (JLPP).
The Rottweiler has a typical life span of just nine to 10 years.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix: longevity and health issues
As you can see, when you choose an Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix dog, you are not going to have your pup with you for much longer than a decade.
Sadly, neither breed has longevity, although for different reasons.
They do share many similar genetic health issues, which is what makes it so vital to only work with a responsible breeder that tests and pre-screens breeding pairs for all known testable genetic health issues before allowing the breeding.
Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler Mix: Is This the Right Dog For You?
The Irish Wolfhound Rottweiler mix dog can be a loyal, loving guardian dog if you have the time to provide the early and ongoing socialization, training, and exercise these dogs need.
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