Irish Wolfhound Great Dane, also known as the Irish Dane or Wolfhound Dane, is a designer breed that combines the gentle giant qualities of the Irish Wolfhound and the protective and guarding qualities of the Great Dane. Although Irish Danes are giant dogs, they are affectionate, loyal, gentle, and loving. In addition, they protect their owners with exceptional watchdog abilities.
In the last 20 years, the Irish Wolfhound Great Dane has risen in demand. However, they are only suitable for some because they need a secure suburban backyard or a rural area to roam around and a considerable amount of regular exercise and training. The prominent trait of the Irish Wolfhound Great Dane is its giant size. In some instances, they are careless of the consequence of their size, craving to curl up on your lap. In other situations, mainly around children, they seem alert that they can cause harm. Welcome these giant puppies into your home with awe and happiness!
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Calm disposition | Prone to lots of health issues |
| Great Watchdog | Separation Anxiety |
| Very loyal and affectionate | Requires ample space to move around |
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Basic Information
- Name: Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix
- Height: Male: 32 to 38 inches, Female: 32 to 36 inches
- Weight: Male: 120 to 180 pounds, Female: 120 to 150 pounds
- Size: Large to giant-sized dog
- Coat: Short or medium, rough and harsh
- Color: Brindle, sable, cream, red, black, gray, silver, faun, white, blue, brown, black, golden, merle, speckled, salt and pepper, and spotted
- Energy: High
- Activities: Companion Dogs, Sports, Agile, Watch Dogs
- Group: Mixed Breed
- Barking Level: Occasional
- Shedding Level: Moderate; Seasonal
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Life Span: 7 – 10 years
- Litter Size: 8- 10 puppies
- Other Names: Wolfhound Dane, Irish Dane
- Breed Recognition: ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club, DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
Great Dane vs. Irish Wolfhound: A Comparison
| Features | Great Dane | Irish Wolfhound |
| Image |  |  |
| Origin | Germany | Ireland |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches | 31 to 34 inches |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 105 to 120 pounds |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Group | Working Dogs | Hound dogs |
| Children Compatibility | High | High |
| Family Compatibility | High | High |
| Pets Compatibility | High | Medium |
| Barking Level | Medium to High | Medium |
| Shedding Level | High | Medium |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Grooming Needs | Medium | Medium |
| Overall Health | Medium to High | Medium to High |
| Energy | High | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | High | High |
| Trainability | Medium | Medium |
| Activities | Companion Dogs, Watch Dogs | Agility, Herding, Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Tracking |
| Complications in Breeding | No | No |
| Litter Size | 5 to 8 puppies | 3 to 4 puppies |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 6 to 10 years |
| Other Names | Apollo of Dogs | Cú Faoil |
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Personality
An Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane Mix is a giant-sized dog with 32 to 38 inches in height and weighs between 120 and 180 pounds. They have a large rectangular head, floppy ears, and dark, almond-shaped eyes. Their coat varies from short, like the Great Dane, to rough and longer, like the Irish Wolfhound.
Irish Danes are very loving, affectionate, friendly, and playful with kids and adults despite their massive size. However, ensure not to leave them unsupervised around kids to avoid any unfavorable incident caused by their extreme energy and giant body. They are clever, brilliant, curious, intuitive, and excited to please their human family. You can efficiently train or teach them tricks or commands and use exercise and training time as a bonding activity.
Wolfhound Dane’s Great Dane lineage has given them their guarding instinct, making Irish Danes an exceptional watchdog and guiding them to become more efficient. For example, they can control their barking in situations that may call for your awareness of something suspicious. Irish Danes are very cautious of outsiders; early and proper socialization is required to help them familiarize themselves with other pets or people.
Friendliness Overview
| Affection level | Medium to High |
| Family-friendly | High |
| Children-friendly | High |
| Pet-friendly | Medium |
| Stranger-friendly | Low |
Adaptability Overview
| Apartment living | Low |
| Good for new owners | Medium |
| Sensitivity level | Medium to High |
| Tolerates being alone | Low |
| Tolerates hot weather | Medium |
| Tolerates cold weather | Low to Medium |
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Temperament
The Irish Dane is a very loving, docile, loyal giant. They make excellent family dogs and adore kids. Although they are not guarding dogs, their majestic size is usually sufficient to deter intruders. Irish Danes consider themselves lapdogs, even though they are huge for laps.
However, Irish Dane’s attachment to humans makes them prone to depression or separation anxiety. They can be territorial if not socialized correctly. We highly advise puppy training classes, which will assist in kick-starting their training and interacting with other dogs.
Irish Wolfhound Great Danes not only require vast space to run around, but they also need a yard that has large fences. These canines know how to jump, and once they recognize that they can get over the fence, you will struggle to stop them.
Irish Danes should be involved in some canine sports, such as agility or obedience, as they need physical and mental stimulation. Proper training and early socialization are also recommended for your Irish Dane. Therefore, we only suggest these dogs for people with plenty of time to pay attention to these breeds.
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Training
Irish Danes are brilliant dogs, always excited to please their owners, which is a significant attribute in training. In addition, they pick up commands and are quick learners, and if positively reinforced, there will be zero difficulties in learning necessary obedience.
Here are some tips you need to acknowledge for training your Irish Dane more efficiently:
- Firm and consistent trainer
- Early socializing
- Positive training method
Training is an excellent way to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Once they have mastered the basics, you must engage them in more advanced training seasons. Irish Danes have a stronger prey drive due to Wolfhound genetics. As a result, they may chase cats and other small animals. Considering their fondness for physical challenges, you can grab the chance to socialize with them in canine parks or daycare.
Here are a few dog interactive toys and products that you can use while training:
Training Overview
| Easy to train | High |
| Intelligence | Medium to High |
| Prey drive | Medium |
| Tendency for mouthiness | Medium |
| Tendency to bark and howl | Medium |
| Wanderlust ability | Medium |
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Exercise Needs
Although the Irish Dane is a giant breed, they are pretty calm, laid-back dogs and do not require extreme exercise. They benefit from a daily short walk but do not make a great jogging partner as their body is not meant for speed or long-distance running. An Irish Dane will require 45 to 90 minutes of light to moderate exercise daily. However, they have to take moderate hikes and walks to prevent obesity and maintain their bodies in proper shape and their minds sharp and active. In addition, they are not very fond of games such as catching a frisbee or fetch. However, they do well in obedience training as they have people-pleasing traits.
Here are a few puzzles and dog toys to keep your pet engaged:
Exercise Needs Overview
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Playfulness | High |
| Intensity | Medium |
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Grooming
An Irish Wolfhound Great Dane mix is a low-maintenance breed, and grooming should be easy if they inherit a Great Dane’s coat. Maintaining their coats healthy and clean would only require brushing using a smooth bristle brush at least two to three times a week. However, excess bathing can quickly throw off their skin’s pH balance and eliminate their coat’s natural oils.
An Irish Dane sheds twice a year, and you can control their shedding flawlessly during these periods by brushing their coats more often, at least once a day. But, of course, they would also need to bathe occasionally or when they get dirty. Bathing can aid in getting rid of excess hair and dead skin.
Irish Dane prefers to chew. Count this as an advantage in caring for their dental health. Give them dental chews to improve and maintain their oral health. In addition, your dog’s teeth must be regularly brushed with dog-formulated toothpaste. This way, you can guarantee your dog doesn’t develop periodontal infections.
Clip your pet’s nails regularly to prevent them from splitting or breaking. Ear cleaning should also be a necessary part of their grooming routine. To avoid ear infections, you must constantly remove moisture, wax, or debris from their ears.
Here are a few products and equipment to meet your Irish Dane’s grooming needs:
Grooming Overview
| Amount of shedding | Medium |
| Tendency to drool | Medium |
| Easy to groom | High |
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Health
Although Irish Danes are healthy, they are inclined to specific health diseases. Additionally, they may also inherit specific genetic disorders from their parent breeds. Therefore, it is essential to be conscious of the genetic health issues that your Irish Wolfhound Great Dane may have.
Health Overview
| Basic health | Medium to High |
| Weight gain possibilities | Medium |
| Size | Medium to High |
Elbow Dysplasia is an inherent structural weakness in the elbow joints because of cartilage inflammation, injury, or disordered anconeal. It is prevalent in large breed dogs, creating arthritis and resulting in pain or organ failure.
Heart Problems: Irregular heart rhythms and heart murmurs can be affected by heart diseases. An ECG or X-ray can be used to diagnose this condition.
Cataracts: This is caused due to the thickening of the eye lens, resulting in cloudy sight in canines. Although it occurs mainly because of their age, you can treat it with surgery or medications.
Cardiomyopathy: This disease is caused due to weakening and thinning of the heart muscles. It may cause an abnormally large heart, widening heart chambers, and heart failure in canines.
Treatments:
- Medication
- Fluid therapy
- Oxygen supply
Osteosarcoma is an irregular production of cells that drives the breakdown of bones in canines. They are more common in large-breed dogs.
Signs of osteosarcoma:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Lameness or swelling
- Hesitation to walk or play due to pain caused by a bone tumor
Hip dysplasia: This is an inherited disorder that occurs in canines when the thigh bones fail to fit correctly into the pelvic socket of the hip joint.
Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia:
- Wrong exercises
- Excessive weight gain
- Injuries
Symptoms of hip dysplasia:
- Reluctance to rise, jump, run, or climb
- Enlarging shoulders
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Reduced activity and movements
- Reducing thigh muscle mass
- Grating in the joint during movement
- Lameness in the hind limbs
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus): This is a critical condition common in deep-chested dogs like the Great Danes and their mixed breeds. Your dog’s gut becomes inflated with gasoline and twists, hindering its capability to belch or vomit.
Causes Of Bloat:
- Exercise vigorously after eating
- Drink large volumes of water after eating
- Eating rapidly
- When they are fed more than one large meal daily
Symptoms of Bloat:
- Restlessness
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Excessive salivation
- Retching without vomit
- A distended abdomen
Skin Infection: Most dogs can have skin infections like ringworm, dermatitis, or mange. However, this breed may also be inclined to hypothyroidism, demodicosis, acral lick dermatitis, zinc-responsive dermatosis, and histiocytoma.
Entropion: This disorder happens when the eyelid rolls inward, hurting the eyeball from eyelashes rubbing on the surface. In severe cases, entropion can create a corneal ulcer.
Eye Diseases: Wolfhound Dane mix can be prone to these eye diseases:
- Corneal damage
- Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Eyelid mass
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Cherry eye
- Entropion
Cancer: Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. However, it is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier. Various cancer types affecting your pet are:
- Lymphoma: A severe illness that affects lymphocyte cells.
- Hemangiosarcoma: This is a hazardous form of cancer that originates in the lining of blood vessels and the spleen. It most commonly happens in middle-aged and elderly dogs.
Ear Infections: This is most common in German shepherd Dachshunds with floppy ears. Fungi and bacteria can cause ear infections to thrive in the warmth and darkness provided.
Minor Conditions
- Allergies
- Myotonia
- Osteosarcoma
- Cataracts
- Ear infections
- Joint Dysplasia
Serious Conditions
- Bloat
- Entropion
- Hip Dysplasia
- Gastric torsion
- Cancer
- Development Issues
- Heart Conditions
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Diet and Nutrition
A healthy Irish Wolfhound Great Danes regularly requires three to five cups of dog food, depending on their size and weight. The Irish Wolfhound typically consumes three cups daily, unlike the Great Dane, who eats four to six cups daily. It might be surprising, but Great Danes have a slower metabolism than Irish Wolfhounds.
Irish Danes should consume a high-quality diet intended for large and giant breeds. This is crucial during their young age as they hold the optimum nutrients to maintain rapid bone growth. In addition, since these breeds are predisposed to orthopedic problems, their diet should include a good supply of chondroitin and glucosamine. Finally, they will require wild Alaskan salmon oil and probiotics for their coat and skin health.
Here are the foods and supplements to meet your Wolfhound Dane’s nutrition needs:
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Living Condition
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane has a giant statuesque, making them unfit for apartment living. These breeds require a residence with a fenced yard that allows these large breeds to play and roam. They cannot be limited to indoors or small areas throughout the day, leading to aggressive behaviors and depression.
Adding an Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Adding an Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix to Your Family
Irish Danes are rarely bred. The most suitable option is to buy from a trustworthy breeder since they assure the happiness and health of both the parents and pups. A vaccinated dog is supported with health clearance records and gene testing certificates.
Cost of Irish Wolfhound Great Dane
The cost of an Irish Wolfhound Great Dane puppy can range from approximately $300 to $1500, not including miscellaneous expenses.
Other Irish Wolfhound Mixes
- Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier
- German Wirehaired Pointing Wolfhound
- Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer
- Irish Wolf Schnauzer
- Great Wolfhound
- Irish Wolf Greyhound
- Irish Mastiff
- Miniature Irish Wolf Schnauzer
- Irish Wolfoodle
- Irish Wolfsky
- Staffy Bull Wolfhound
- Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzer
- Tibetan Wolfhound
Other Great Dane Mixes
- Great Boxer
- Great Danesky
- Great Corgi
- Great Poodane
- Great German
- Great Dangle
- Great Mastiff
- Great Labradane
- Great Chihuahua
- Great Chowdane
- Great Border Collie
- Australian Great Dane
- Great Dachshund
- Great Pug
- Great Cocker Spaniel
- St. Great Dane
- American Great Dane
- Great Corso
- Great Shar Pei
- Great Dakita
- Blue Great Dane
- English Great Dane
- Golden Great Retriever
- Pyrenees Dane
- Rhodesian Great Dane
- Bernese Great Dane
- French Great Dane
- Great Catahoula
- Great Doberman
- Great Newfoundland
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Images
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix Videos
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix
Irish Wolfhound Great Dane Mix
