History
From cú faoil, dog of Irish kings and heroes, to Ireland's national hound – two thousand years of history.
Read the history →The gentle giant
Irish Wolfhounds
The largest of the galloping hounds, and among the gentlest dogs we know. Calm, dignified and devoted, the Irish Wolfhound has stood beside heroes, guarded halls and warmed firesides for two thousand years – and every Bilkau hound is born and raised in our home, ready to do the same in yours.
Is a Wolfhound right for you?
A dog this size is a big decision
As with any breed, the first question is not whether you love Irish Wolfhounds – it is whether an Irish Wolfhound suits your household. This is a large dog. It needs proper training, a great deal of exercise and space to match its size. It sheds, and being a hound at heart, it will track in leaves, mud and grass; a big dog also simply makes more mess outside than a small one.
Our puppies need a great deal of companionship, and must be well socialised, or they can become overprotective. So please do more than read about the breed: come and meet ours, and talk to the families who already share their homes with one.
Because of their size, Wolfhounds do not live as long as many breeds – most reach seven or eight years, some a little more or less. That makes the puppy years especially important: giant breeds are particularly prone to skeletal and growth problems, so a young Wolfhound needs adequate play but must never be pushed into excessive work, and needs more rest than smaller breeds because of how much growing it has to do.
Giant sighthound
Dogs: 80 cm / 55 kg min.
Bitches: 75 cm / 48 kg min.
Lifespan 6–8 years
Rough-coated
Calm, dignified, gentle
Learn more
Explore the breed
Everything we can teach you about the Irish Wolfhound – and the puppies waiting to meet the right family.
Breed standard
The complete standard of excellence we breed to, from general appearance and head to colour and faults.
Read the standard →Health
The conditions every giant-breed owner should know how to recognise, from bloat to bone cancer.
Know the signs →Care
Our own approach to feeding, training, exercise and grooming, from an eight-week-old puppy to a full-grown hound.
Read our care guide →Current & upcoming litters
Puppies
We plan our litters carefully and place only a few puppies a year. Tell us about your home.
Enquire about a puppy →Gentle enough for a child's arms, dignified enough to have symbolised a nation – the Irish Wolfhound has always been more lap-dog than warhound at heart.
Heritage · Quality · Companionship
Ready to meet a Wolfhound of your own?
We plan our litters carefully and place only a few puppies each year. Tell us about your home and we will be in touch about what is coming.
Puppy enquiries and viewings are by appointment.
