Irish Wolfhound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison

Irish Wolfhound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed ComparisonIrish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland but Galgo Espanol is originated from Spain. Irish Wolfhound may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Galgo Espanol. Irish Wolfhound may weigh 25 kg / 56 pounds more than Galgo Espanol. Irish Wolfhound may live 5 years less than Galgo Espanol. Irish Wolfhound may have less litter size than Galgo Espanol. Irish Wolfhound requires Moderate maintenance. But Galgo Espanol requires Low maintenance

History

irish wolfhound - historyIt is believed that the Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed and that it was brought to Ireland as early as 7000 BC.

These dogs were bred as hunting dogs as well as guard dogs. There was a time when these huge canines were only allowed to be owned by the nobility. The breed died out somewhat, but Scotsman Captain George Augustus Graham made efforts to restore the breed’s numbers.

Captain Graham devoted his life to making sure the Irish Wolfhound’s numbers were built up, and the breeding program included Great Danes, Borzois, English Mastiffs and Scottish Deerhounds.

galgo espanol - historyGalgo Espanol means Spanish with galgo meaning greyhound, thus a Spanish Greyhound. This breed is ancient with their roots in perhaps the English greyhound and others in the sighthound family. They are much like the greyhound in that they are laid back, calm, gentle and quiet, unless they are competing on the local track. Like the greyhound they are shy and reserved; great with kids and other pets. And of course, they love cats.

There are dogs like the Galgo referred to in writing by the ancient Celts and Romans. One author, Arrian, had his own Galgos and used them when hunting. The breed flourished in the second half of the Middle Ages in Spain and well into the 8th century. When the Christians regained control of the Iberian Peninsula, they did away with the hunter old forms of hunting and introduced a new form with hounds that made the Galgo the pride of the aristocracy and not in the homes of the ordinary people. Arrian claim to two types of dogs, the smooth and rough coated.

Muslim and Chrisitan Kings kept Galgo Espanols. In all probability the Saluke and Galgo were crossbred at this time. It was illegal to kill a Galgo and in 1081, the Mayor of Cartuario of Slonza left his Galgo in his will to Diego Citid. Dogs seen in painting from the 12th century look just like dogs of this breed who can be seen today.

It is believed that when the Galgo was developed, it was in the midsection of Spain or the Castillian plains. They ruled the interior of the country while the bloodhound ruled the exterior. The 18th and 19th centuries saw very little change in the breed. However, in the 20th century, there was cross breeding with the English greyhound that produced a leaner, faster and powerful track racing dog. The results was a faster dog without the long distance stamina of the pure Galgo. For this reason, the breeders returned to breeding the pure professional racing dog.

The sport of racing the Galgo earns Spain around sixty million dollars per year. They train anywhere from three to four thousand of the Galgos every year for Open Field Coursing Championships. Still, there no longer is any cross breeding between the Greyhound and the Galgo. The current coursing programs feature a hare that is much hardier and difficult to pursue so the stamina of the old Galgo Espanol is desired. In Castile, where these games are played, the landscape is open with large fields that requires that the hare travels far greater distances. This means that the stamina of the original Galgo Espanol is needed.

When not racing the Galgos have become great house pets. They have a reputation as gentle dogs that are docile and quiet, with good health. This reputation is well earned. They are also successful show dogs in Europe much more than the states. This is perhaps because they are really rare outside of Spain. They are not recognized by the United Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club.

Description

irish wolfhound puppy - descriptionThe tallest of the sighthounds, the Irish Wolfhound looks like a large Greyhound, only he has a rough, wiry type of coat.

He is also gracefully built and known as a gentle giant. The double coat which can be fawn, red, white, grey, black or brindle is straight to wavy.

He stands at about 81 to 86cm and weighs roughly 48 to 54kg. This is one of the few dog breeds that you can’t really call social. He loves his own human family, and becomes unhappy and ‘down-in-the-dumps’ when separated from his family members for too long. He is a quiet dog who tends to be somewhat introverted and reserved, while being highly intelligent.

He will require being trained and socialized to make him obedient as he is an independent dog. He takes his role as family protector seriously and even though he is quiet, he is ready to take on anyone who threatens his property.

Temperament:

The Irish Wolfhound is a gentle, quiet, soft-natured, easy-going dog and even though it is such a large dog, it doesn’t throw it’s weight around but is calm and patient around the elderly and children in the home. It can tend to be aggressive with animals he isn’t familiar with.

He is an intelligent dog, but even so he may be quite resistant to training as he is strong-willed and determined to have his own way. These dogs need to be trained and socialized otherwise they just do their own thing.

galgo espanol puppy - descriptionObviously the Galgos looks a lot like the Greyhound, but in some very important ways they are very different. The rear of the Galgos is higher than the front and their muscle are flatter. They are built for endurance while the Greyhound is built for speed. The Galgos is a lighter, smaller dog with larger ear on a long head. They have long tails and their chests are not deep like the Greyhounds.

The Galgo comes in smooth and rough coats and a variety of colors. The rough coat protects dogs that are in climates colder than the ones in Spain and also keeps them from injuring their skin while running. The colors include brindle, black, golden, toasted, cinnamon, yellow, red, white, white with patches, or any color as long as they have a white forehead and muzzle.

Characteristics

irish wolfhound dog - characteristicsThe most notable aspect of the Irish Wolfhound is his amazing height. The legs are long, the body narrow. He is gentle and easy-going but because he is a sighthound he loves to give chase after animals.

He is capable of living in the city or countryside, but your home will need to cater to his size. He isn’t particularly energetic, enjoying a quiet life but he will absolutely need to be exercised.

Provide your gentle giant with everything needed to make him content, and you’ll have a faithful, loving friend for about 10 years.

Children friendliness

galgo espanol dog - characteristicsThey are good with children, but you need to be careful no one gets knocked down or hurt.

Special talents

Stamina for running and a good record in lure coursing.

Adaptability

Though they can be couch potatoes like greyhounds they are better off with a fenced yard and not an apartment.

Learning ability

They are smart and can learn anything you want to teach them if you can keep their attention.

Health Problems

irish wolfhound puppies - health problemsOne wonders why breeders seem so bent on breeding such large dogs when they have health issues and they don't live particularly long. Not only do they cost a fortune to feed, but large dogs like this are more prone to illnesses and won’t live as long as small dog breeds. This big dog can live up to 10 years of age or so.

For starters, just because he is a deep chested dog, bloat or gastric torsion can be a threat. Other illnesses to look out for are dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This is a disease of the heart muscle where the enlarged heart won’t function properly. The upper- and lower chambers of the heart are enlarged and the heart isn’t able to pump blood out properly. When the heart’s ventricle doesn’t pump enough blood into the lungs, fluid accumulates in the lungs and this ultimately leads to congestive heart failure.

Older dogs battle more with this heart disease and it is also more common in some dog breeds of which the Irish Wolfhound is one. Your dog will have shortness of breath, coughing and abdominal distension. He will need to get to the vet for medical tests.

Bone Cancer:

Bone cancer can strike any dog, but you’ll find in more commonly with larger dog breeds. It can spread quickly and the long term prognosis isn’t good. It’s not easy to pick the disease up and it can mean joint pain for your pet and even lameness.

Your dog will be tired too. Your vet will do X-rays and other tests, but unfortunately the prognosis isn’t usually good. Big-dog breeders should take this into consideration.

galgo espanol puppies - health problemsBeing a large dog, the Galgo Espanol would normally face a high probability of hip dysplasia. Fortunately for the breed this is not true. In this respect their lightness of weight, their history as a working dog and their anatomy have protected them from it. They are however susceptible to other issues.

Osteosarcoma

Bone Cancer

Malignant tumors that quickly spread throughout the body. Life threatening.

Anesthetics

As a sighthound, the Galgo Espanol is prone to have issues anytime with anesthetics. They don’t metabolize the anesthetics like other dogs do. They will take longer to revive, and they are susceptible to hypothermia while under an aesthetic.

Muscle/Toe Injuries

While running, they are prone to injuries

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

irish wolfhound dogs - caringThis isn’t a particularly energetic dog and he can tend to become lazy. Don’t allow this as becoming unfit and overweight can be very bad for such large dog. Being so large already puts stress on the dog’s body, and the dog is already susceptible to cardiac and skeletal problems. Allowing him to become lazy and overweight will be a death sentence for this large dog. It is imperative to make sure you take him on walks and play games with him.

Grooming:

The coat of your dog is thick and medium length and he will require being brushed at least twice a week. You may want to also trim the longer hair you find around his face and legs.

When it comes to his ears, you can moisten some cotton wool and wipe the inside of his ears to remove dirt and excess wax. Remember not to probe too deeply to avoid damaging the ear. If you’re uncertain how to do this, your vet can explain to you how its done.

Check his teeth regularly as dental disease can affect other areas of the body too. Don’t allow his nails to get too long as they can cause paw problems and the nails can hook onto things and cause injury.

Diet:

Because this is a giant breed, the puppy will grow for a long time. Speak to your vet about how to ensure you feed your puppy in such a way that he doesn’t grow too quickly.

If you feed your dog a commercially manufactured food, make sure its one of the top quality brands. Include home-made cooked food such as chicken, rice and vegetables into his kibble from time to time, and also try to feed him some raw meat occasionally.

Fresh, cool water must be available to your Irish Wolfhound around the clock.

Feeding the puppy

galgo espanol dogs - caringFeed your puppy a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 3 meals a day 2.5 to 3 cups total for the day.

Feeding the adult

Feed your adult Galgo a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 2 meals a day but don’t overfeed Give 4-5 cups total for the day.

Points for Good Health

They have amazing stamina and good speed. Generally good health as a breed.

Games and Exercises

He can be a couch potato indoors and runs forever outdoors. He does need daily exercise and bedrest both. The best would be if you could sprint him every day or have a small yard he can play in. They excel of course at agility and lure coursing. Keep them on a leash because if they run you will never catch them. The American Sighthound Field Association presents lure coursing events that they are eligible for. They have exceled at show competition in Europe but are not well known in the U.S.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Ireland
Spain
Height Male:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
66 - 67 cm
25 - 27 inches
Height Female:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
65 - 66 cm
25 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
27 - 29 kg
59 - 64 pounds
Weight Female:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
23 - 25 kg
50 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 10 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 4
6 - 8
Size:
Giant dog
Large dog
Other Names:
None
Spanish Galgo, Galgo, Spanish Greyhound
Colors Available:
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
(brindle),
Coat:
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Smooth or Rough
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Wolfhound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Wolfhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  3. Irish Wolfhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  4. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Newfoundland Dog vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  6. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Wolfhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Wolfhound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Wolfhound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Wolfhound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Wolfhound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Wolfhound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Wolfhound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Wolfhound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Wolfhound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Wolfhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Wolfhound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Wolfhound vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Wolfhound vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  23. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  24. Saluki vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  25. Mountain Cur vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  26. Rajapalayam vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  27. Plott Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  28. Petit Gascon Saintongeois vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  29. Otterhound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  30. Mudhol Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  31. Ibizan Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  32. Rampur Greyhound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  33. Galgo Espanol vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Galgo Espanol vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Galgo Espanol vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  36. Galgo Espanol vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  37. Galgo Espanol vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  38. Galgo Espanol vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  39. Galgo Espanol vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  40. Galgo Espanol vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Galgo Espanol vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  42. Galgo Espanol vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  43. Galgo Espanol vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  44. Galgo Espanol vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  45. Galgo Espanol vs Circassian Orloff Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  46. Hanover Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  47. Majestic Tree Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds