Irish Wolf Schnauzer
70-140 lbs
27-28"
Unknown

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Irish Wolf Schnauzer

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Irish Wolf Schnauzer

70-140 lbs

27-28"

Unknown

Giant Schnauzer

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolf Schnauzer is a mix between an Irish Wolfhound and a Giant Schnauzer. It is often referred to as the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer. Common colors of the parent breeds are black, salt and pepper, grey, brindle, red, white, or fawn. A Giant Schnauzer has a wiry, hard and dense coat and the Irish Wolfhound’s is rough and hard. Your pet is likely to need moderate maintenance as both parent breeds do, with the Irish Wolfhound shedding a bit more than a Giant Schnauzer. The Irish Wolfhound is a calm, dignified, courageous dog and not at all aggressive, whereas the Giant Schnauzer can be somewhat aggressive with other dogs and is not recommended for families with small children. Both parent breeds are good companion pets and working dogs, with the Giant Schnauzer used in the police or military and the Irish Wolfhound as therapy dogs.

                
                Purpose
              
Companion, Working Dog

                Date of Origin
              
Unknown

                Ancestry
              
Giant Schnauzer, Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolf Schnauzer Health

Average Size

Height: 28-30 inches Weight: 70-150 lbs

Height: 27-28 inches Weight: 70-140 lbs

Major Concerns

Osteosarcoma
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Bloat
Liver Shunts
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Minor Concerns

Hip Dysplasia
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Occasional Diagnoses

None Known

Occasional Tests

Hip X-Rays
Eye Examination
Full Physical Examination
Thyroid Testing
Cardiac Test

Irish Wolf Schnauzer Breed History

The Irish Wolf Schnauzer is a combination of a Giant Schnauzer and an Irish Wolfhound. The Giant Schnauzer was developed in Germany as one of the three distinct Schnauzer breeds, Miniature, Standard and Giant. The Giant Schnauzer is thought to have been created by crossing the Standard Schnauzer with the black Great Dane and possibly the Bouvier des Flandres. They were bred as farm dogs and later used as guard dogs, often in breweries. In Germany they were used by the police and as military dogs in both world wars and are still used as working dogs today. Giant Schnauzers first arrived in America in the 1930s and were registered by the American Kennel Club in 1930. The Giant Schnauzer Club of America was founded in 1962. The Irish Wolfhound parent is considered an ancient breed with evidence pointing to their existence as far back as 391 AD. Hunters of large game, these powerful canines were almost lost to extinction in the 1800s. The efforts of a British army captain by the name of Captain George Augustus Graham strengthened the breed and grew the numbers once again. A member of the American Kennel Club since 1897, the breed has lineage including the majestic Great Dane and Scottish Deerhound.

Irish Wolf Schnauzer Breed Appearance

The Irish Wolf Schnauzer is a mix between an Irish Wolfhound and a Giant Schnauzer. Common colors of the parent breeds include black, salt and pepper, grey, brindle, red, white, or fawn. The coat is likely to be wiry, rough, hard and dense. Both parent breeds are large muscular dogs with the Irish Wolfhound being the tallest of all dog breeds but gracefully built. They have dark eyes often covered by hair and small, Greyhound-like ears. The tail is long and slightly curved whereas the Giant Schnauzer’s is usually docked. The Giant Schnauzer is also muscular with a distinct beard and eyebrows. They have oval shaped eyes which are dark brown and deep-set and tails that are usually docked. Your Irish Wolf Schnauzer will be a beautiful mix of the two with a long muzzle that could be either pointed or square, depending on parental influence. He will be a strong dog with an assured gait and a friendly demeanor.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Black

Blue

Brindle

Cream

Gray

Red

Silver

White

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Irish Wolf Schnauzer Breed Maintenance

The Irish Wolf Schnauzer is likely to need moderate maintenance but typically does not shed excessively. The Irish Wolfhound sheds more than the Giant Schnauzer who is hypoallergenic unlike the Irish Wolfhound so your pet could be either, depending on which parent breed is more dominant. Your pet should be brushed weekly and bathed only occasionally. The Irish Wolf Schnauzer may need trimming around the eyebrows, beard and on the body if he takes after his Schnauzer parent or if more like the Wolfhound he may need trimming on the mane and the body hair can be stripped by hand or with a stripping knife. Try to brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent any dental issues and check ears for dirt. If necessary, wipe them gently with damp cotton wool. Nails also need to be checked to see if they need clipping.

Brushes for Irish Wolf Schnauzer

Slicker Brush

Deshedder

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Irish Wolf Schnauzer Temperament

An Irish Wolf Schnauzer is likely to be an intelligent, loyal companion dog like both parent breeds who are also fairly easy to train but can be stubborn at times so should be socialized and trained early, but always using positive reinforcement as they are quite sensitive. Often referred to as a gentle giant, the Irish Wolfhound gets along well with children, other dogs and cats, more so than a Giant Schnauzer who can be aggressive with other dogs and cats. Despite its history as a ferocious war dog, the modern variety is gentle and not regarded as a good watchdog as often doesn’t bark at strangers. But if there is any real danger, they are regarded as fearless. They love nothing better than to be with their families and don’t like being left alone for any length of time. The Irish Wolf Schnauzer is very protective of his family and wary of strangers but is a playful, energetic dog.

Irish Wolf Schnauzer Activity Requirements

The Irish Wolf Schnauzer will need 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise at the minimum. A dog who likes to keep busy and needs to expend energy, a brisk walk or a session at the dog park is ideal. Allow him the opportunity to excel at obedience and practise his social skills at the same time. Your Irish Wolf Schnauzer needs a secure yard space in which to stretch and run; keep him company while outside so that he doesn’t get into mischief.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Irish Wolf Schnauzer

Similarly Sized Breeds to Irish Wolf Schnauzer

Irish Wolf Schnauzer Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
4 cups
Daily Cost
$2.50 - $3.00
Monthly Cost
$80.00 - $90.00

Written by Darlene Stott

Published: 02/06/2018, edited: 02/24/2021

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