Irish Dane

The Irish Dane gets its name from its parent breeds: the Great Dane and the Irish Wolfhound – both of which have long and interesting histories. The Great Dane is thought to have been around since 3000 B.C. Historians hypothesize that its population spread due to Assyrian traders who would bring the dog back and forth along routes to Rome and Greece. Since then, the Great Dane has had many names. At first, this breed was appropriately called the “Boar Hound” because of its talent for hunting wild boars. In the 16th century, Great Danes were known as English Dogges in England and Kammerhunde (or “Chamber Dogs”) in Germany. In 17th century Denmark and France they became known as the “Grand Danois” which later evolved into to the “Great Danish Dog” and even later into the Great Dane. Despite its Danish namesake, the Great Dane was refined and stabilized due to the efforts of German breeders. Great Danes eventually gained popularity in North America in the 1800s and the Great Dane Club of America was founded in 1889. There are accounts of the Irish Dane’s other parent, the Irish Wolfhound, as far back as ancient Rome and Greece where it was highly valued for its hunting skills. Early Irish literature has many references to these large dogs, calling them “Irish Dogs,” “Greyhounds of Ireland,” and “Wolfdogs of Ireland.” The Irish Wolfhound almost went extinct in the 1800s due to disease and neglect. Starting in 1862, however, an English cynologist named “Captain Graham” began to revive the breed. His efforts proved to be successful and the Irish Wolfhound population grew by leaps and bounds in Europe and North America. It was officially recognized by the AKC in 1872. The mating of these two parent breeds has resulted in a very large and people-oriented pet.