Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Wiry coat, medium.
A Irish Wolfhound suits
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 1 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect a fairly quiet dog. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 74.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Irish Wolfhound vs Great Pyrenees · Irish Wolfhound vs Pekingese · Irish Wolfhound vs Bullmastiff
Frequently asked questions
Are Irish Wolfhounds good with kids?
The AKC rates the Irish Wolfhound 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Irish Wolfhounds shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Irish Wolfhounds easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Irish Wolfhound have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Irish Wolfhound page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.