Irish Wolfhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison

Irish Wolfhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed ComparisonIrish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland but Yorkshire Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Irish Wolfhound may grow 63 cm / 25 inches higher than Yorkshire Terrier. Irish Wolfhound may weigh 51 kg / 113 pounds more than Yorkshire Terrier. Irish Wolfhound may live 5 years less than Yorkshire Terrier. Both Irish Wolfhound and Yorkshire Terrier has same litter size. Irish Wolfhound requires Moderate maintenance. But Yorkshire Terrier requires High 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.

yorkshire terrier - historyThe Yorkshire terrier originated in Yorkshire which is a place in northern England. In mid 19th century workers from Scotland came to Yorkshire in search for work. They brought different varieties of small terriers with them. Earlier they are known as Broken Haired Scotch Terrier and then Toy Terrier. In 1874 they were officially named as Yorkshire Terrier. They begun their journey as hunting dogs and later developed as companion dogs. AKC registered the breed in 1878.

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.

yorkshire terrier puppy - descriptionYorkshire terriers are one of the glamorous member of the dog breeds. They have excellent personality as their owner will be surely proud of them when taking them in public. They like to go outside and make adventures. They are good companion dogs and watch dogs too. They are very affectionate with their owners. Yorkies always bark when any stranger comes and they should be taught about neighbours and when to bark. They will get angry on seeing new dogs and surely chases squirrels.

They like to spend more time with their people. Leaving them alone for long time is not good. Yorkshire terrier should be treated gently and with love. They love to spend time with older children. They love apartment life if they are made to play and walk daily. Yorkies are the second most popular dog in America.

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

yorkshire terrier dog - characteristicsYorkshire terrier are not so much friendly with children. It is not advised to leave them with children without adult supervision.

Special talents

They were previously used to catch rats and hunt badger and fox. They are excellent watchdogs and defend their territory very well.

Adaptability

They adapts well for apartment living. But they will not be happy if leaved alone for a long time. Yorkies cannot tolerate too hot or cold weather.

Learning ability

They are moderately easy to train. Yorkshire terrier should be trained early when they are amenable to process. Sessions should be conducted with lots of treats and must be short as they will easily get bored.

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.

yorkshire terrier puppies - health problemsYorkshire terrier have possibilities of having hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism and von willebrand's disease.

Hair fall

Usually yorkies don't shed more. They have long, silky and straight hair. They should be made to bath weekly once.

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

yorkshire terrier dogs - caringFor English bull dog puppies, When you change the puppy food from liquid to solid initially you must give what the dam is having. This is to avoid digestive problems when new food is introduced. The level of liquid food should be reduced in a step by step manner and thus increasing solid food gradually.

Feeding the adult

You have two choices and one is manufactured dog food and another is home cooked food. Commercial brands are not suggested as they contain artificial coloring and chemical preservatives.

Points for Good Health

Vaccinations should be made at the right time. The food given should be the best.

Games and Exercises

Yorkshire terrier should be taught tricks by giving rewards. Exercising them has benefits such as maintaining muscles, release pent-up energy, good for heart, good metabolism, good sleep and be active.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Ireland
United Kingdom
Height Male:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
20 - 23 cm
7 - 10 inches
Height Female:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
20 - 23 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
2 - 3 kg
4 - 7 pounds
Weight Female:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
2 - 3 kg
4 - 7 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 10 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 4
2 - 4
Size:
Giant dog
Toy dog
Other Names:
None
Yorkie
Colors Available:
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
Blue & Tan, Black & Tan, Blue & Gold, Black & Gold
Coat:
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Morkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Havanese vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Chorkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Pekingese vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Chinese Crested Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Chiweenie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Chug vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Affenpinscher vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Brussels Griffon vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Chipoo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Chiapom vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Bichon Bolognese vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Russian Toy Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Franzuskaya Bolonka vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Phalene vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Bugg vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Cockachon vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Shih Tzu vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Silky Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Snorkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Bulldog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Mi-Ki vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Wolfhound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Wolfhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  28. Irish Wolfhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  29. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Newfoundland Dog vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Wolfhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Wolfhound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Wolfhound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Wolfhound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Wolfhound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Wolfhound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Wolfhound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Wolfhound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Wolfhound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Wolfhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Wolfhound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Wolfhound vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Wolfhound vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds