Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer -- Irish Greyhound X Giant Schnauzer

		Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Ireland <> Germany -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer

The Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer is a specific cross between the Giant Schnauzer, a large dog originally developed in Germany as a versatile farm dog, helping to drive cattle to market, herd livestock and pull carts, and Irish Greyhounds, a giant breed that was originally used to hunt and kill both the now extinct Irish wolf and perhaps even the Irish elk as far back as 391 AD. Both dogs generally enjoy the company of children, young and old, but they can be overly exuberant or reckless with very young children, especially Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzers that are still in their teens. There are also standard and miniature Irish Wolf Schnauzers, using either the standard or miniature Schnauzer instead of the giant Schnauzer. It's important to remember that the three Schnauzers are in fact three distinct breeds with a similar appearance, but health problems, temperament and natural skills can vary considerably between these breeds, making standard and miniature Irish Wolf Schnauzers very different from the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer.

History of the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer

The Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer is a specific cross between the Irish Greyhound, a sighthound used in packs to hunt the large wolves, elk and wild boar that populated ancient Ireland, and the Giant Schnauzer, a German dog used to herd and drive cattle.

	A little of the Irish Greyhound
	The Irish Greyhound has been known to history since 391 AD, when several of these huge, powerful and fast dogs were presented to the Royal Consul of Ireland. Packs of Irish Greyhounds were used throughout Ireland to track very large prey such as elk, wild boar and the now extinct Irish wolf. Once the last of the Irish wolf was killed in 1786, the Irish Greyhound population also began to decline, and by the mid-1800s the Irish Greyhound was almost extinct. We can thank the breed's survival to the dedication of Captain George Augustus Graham, a Scotsman who enlisted in the British Army. In 1862, Captain Graham rounded up all the Irish Greyhounds he could locate and set about resurrecting the breed. To this end, crosses with other breeds such as the Scottish Deerhound, the Great Dane and the Russian Greyhound, among others, were used to bring back the breed's health and vitality. The Irish Greyhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in the Hound group in 1897 and by the Kennel Club of England in 1925.

	Standard of the Irish Greyhound
	A little of the Giant Schnauzer
	Although not as old as the Irish Hound, the Schnauzer is still an ancient breed, developed in Germany and used as it has been since the 1500s, particularly for driving cattle to and from market. The standard Schnauzer came first and was adept at herding and driving sheep. Cattle breeders then crossed the standard Schnauzer with other dogs, chosen for their size and strength, from breeds such as the Karelian Bear Dog, Wirehaired Shepherd and Great Dane. When cattle-driving became obsolete in the early 1900s, the Giant Schnauzer switched specialties and became a military, police and guard dog. When the first Giant Schnauzers were imported to the USA at this time, German Shepherds were already firmly established in the roles of military and police dogs, and Giant Schnauzers fulfilled the roles of guard dogs, show dogs and pets.

	Standard of the Giant Schnauzer

Appearance of the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer

The Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer is a very large animal with a square or slightly rectangular silhouette. Dogs that prefer their Irish Greyhound heritage will have a long, narrow head with a long, pointed muzzle covered in fine, short hair, while those that prefer the Giant Schnauzer will have a heavy, brick-like head with a broad but slightly tapered muzzle. which often sports copious facial furnishings that often form a mustache and beard. The eyes of this hybrid are usually dark brown and may be oval or almond-shaped, and the ears will be set high on the skull and folded forward. Some Schnauzer owners choose to have their ears cropped so that they stand upright, and some Irish Wolf Schnauzer owners choose to do the same. It's important to note that ear docking is no longer permitted for non-medical reasons in many countries.

Temperament of the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer

The Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer is a powerful, athletic animal, with a strong prey drive and imposing face. They can be energetic, especially in their teens, but they are also capable of settling down and being calm in their homes. The Irish Greyhound is known as a gentle giant, however, Schnauzers are known to be a little more exuberant and can be unintentionally destructive. Although it's unlikely that a well-socialized Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer will be intentionally aggressive towards a child, all interactions should be closely monitored to avoid misunderstandings and exuberant or rough treatment on the part of either the animal or the child. Their prey drive can make them poor housemates for other animals, especially smaller, faster ones, and Giant Schnauzers are known to show fear or aggression towards other dogs. Although these dogs are quite intelligent, they can be a challenge to train as they can also be quite stubborn and strong-willed, and starting training as early as possible can help mitigate defiant behavior.

Needs and activities of the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer

Although the Irish Greyhound can tend to become a bit of a couch potato as it ages, the Giant Schnauzer is an active and athletic dog, so the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer needs at least 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous exercise throughout the day every day to keep it as happy and healthy as possible. Due to its size, this crossbreed may be susceptible to developing skeletal disorders if it is allowed to play too rough or overtax its joints by walking or jogging too far at a time while their bones are still developing during their teenage years. In addition to walking and jogging, this dog can also excel at and enjoy activities such as obedience training, swimming, agility training and rallies.

Maintenance of the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer

The shedding rate of this crossbreed is low enough for the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer to be considered hypoallergenic, but choosing to share your home with a Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer means you're committing yourself to a fairly high grooming requirement compared to many other dogs, even if it's not usually a daily chore. Brushing the Giant Irish Wolf Schnauzer is only required once or twice a week, however, brushing sessions for this hybrid tend to be longer than brushing sessions for many other dogs due to both their unique coats and the dog's size. Combing through the coat will help loosen dirt as well as remove tangles or foreign objects like twigs or grass seeds, and a follow-up with a smoother brush or stiff bristle brush will help untangle the last of the tangles as well as remove dead hair, further reducing the dog's shedding rate. Bathing should only take place every few months, and is best done after the dog has been combed and brushed. Stripping the coat will be necessary every four to six months, either using a special stripping comb, or by hand stripping the coat, and depending on how the coat grows, it may need to be shaped and sheared regularly. If your dog develops a beard, it's essential to clean it after every meal, as water, food and saliva can quickly become smelly and unsanitary.