This is the gentle giant of the dogs. The Irish Wolfhound breed has originally been created for wolf hunting, as its look has very few in common with a wolf.

There are no more wolves in Ireland today, but they did exist there once. Also, there were wild boars and deer. It seems that the last Irish wolf was hunted 200 years ago. But, the Wolfhound is famous for hunting wolves. During the winter of 1892, a Wolfhound killed 40 wolves on its own.

The Irish Wolfhound is recognized as being the tallest breed of dog in the world, but despite their impressive look, these dogs are very affectionate with people.

Historical sources say that in 500 BC these dogs were already bred in Ireland, and the Celts employed them not only for hunting and livestock guarding, but also in warfare and dog fights. The dogs were even brought to Rome to participate in the famous animal games. In a letter from 393 AD, the Roman consul Quintus Aurelius Symmachus thanked his brother for sending to Rome 7 Irish Wolfhounds, as the Roman people were amazed by their size. During the English conquest of Ireland, Wolfhounds were trained by the Irish to take armored knights off of their horses, permitting an infantry man to finish the knight if he was not yet death because of the dog.

Indeed, male Wolfhounds are on average 86 cm (almost 3 ft) tall at shoulder, but the tallest individuals can bypass 1 m (3.3 ft). Females are 2-5 cm (1-2 in) shorter. The dogs can measure almost 2 m (6.6 ft) from the tip of the snout to the tail.

At birth, the puppies weigh just 700 g (1.5 pounds), but they grow fast into the long-legged beast weighing over 55 kg (120 lb) in the case of males and 48 kg (105lb.) in the case of females.

These dogs are not noisy; they are rather silent and powerful, but when they do bark, it's for remembering it: extremely grave and sad.

They may be gray, but also wheaten, brindle, red, black, pure white, brown, or fawn.

During the 19th century, this breed was in danger of extinction, and the man considered its savior is George Graham, which started a selective breeding program, in 1862.

Large dogs usually live about 12 years, but the Irish Wolfhounds live from 5 to 9 years, because of genetic heart, stomach and bone issues.

Still, by 2007, the world record for the tallest dog has been detained by a Great Dane: the 170-pound (77 kg) 5-year-old "Harlequin" Great Dane has a shoulder height of 42.6 in (107 cm).