Irish Wolfhound vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Irish Wolfhound vs German Spaniel - Breed ComparisonIrish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland but German Spaniel is originated from Germany. Irish Wolfhound may grow 32 cm / 13 inches higher than German Spaniel. Irish Wolfhound may weigh 29 kg / 64 pounds more than German Spaniel. Irish Wolfhound may live 5 years less than German Spaniel. Both Irish Wolfhound and German Spaniel has almost same litter size. Both Irish Wolfhound and German Spaniel requires Moderate 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.

german spaniel - historyLooking like a smaller version of the Red Setter, the German Spaniel, known also as the Deutscher Wachtelhund or German Quail Dog, hails from Germany.

It isn't a new dog breed and in fact it was developed around 1890 already. Used as a hunting dog, the German Spaniel isn’t well known outside of Germany, but it was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1996.

There are a number of breeds which feature in the development of the German Spaniel, and one of the more prominent dog breeds used for the modern day German Spaniel is the extinct Stoeberer. The Stoeberer was crossed with water dogs and sporting spaniels to bring about the modern German Spaniel as we know it today.

It was in 1903 that the dog was recognized as a breed, and in the 1960s and 1970s the dogs were imported into the United States.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
Origin:
Ireland
Germany
Height Male:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
45 - 54 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
45 - 54 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 10 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 4
2 - 6
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
None
Deutscher Wachtelhund, German Quail Dog
Colors Available:
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
copper, Brown, reddish brown with white
Coat:
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Medium to long - wavy or curly
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

german spaniel puppy - descriptionAs a medium-sized, muscular dog which stands at roughly 45cm to 54cm in height and weighs 18 – 25kg, the German Spaniel is a sporty gun dog who has a long back in relation to his height.

The ears are long and floppy with wavy or curly hair that will need to be attended to so as to avoid matting.

He has a long, wavy or curly weather-resistant coat, being short on the head but with feathering around the legs and stomach. Color of the coat includes brown, reddish brown and white. The white markings can be found on the chest of the dog, the legs, tails and muzzle. `

Temperament:

The German Spaniel loves to work and be busy and if he can be included in his human family’s activities, then so much the better. He is a social dog and gets on well with other dogs as well as children in the home. The German Spaniel is an intelligent dog and easily trained. In fact training and socialization are important for him, making him obedient and a pleasure to have around.

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.

german spaniel dog - characteristicsThe German Spaniel makes a wonderful family pet. He is friendly and sociable, getting along well with just about all dogs and people. He loves his human family, wanting to be involved in all their activities.

He is an active dog, used to hunting and being outdoors and he will therefore require a good deal of exercise from his owners, otherwise he becomes bored and frustrated and even destructive.

He is an adaptable dog, living in the city or the countryside, but wherever he is, exercise is important. Docile and non-aggressive, he has got all the characteristics that make him a splendid family pet.

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.

german spaniel puppies - health problemsHealth problems are fairly unknown with the robust German Spaniel, and if well cared for, he can reach 12 to 15 years of age.

There are always one or two hereditary health concerns, and the health issues that affect the breed the most are hip dysplasia, skin allergies and splayed feet.

The American Kennel Club tells us that this type of foot is flat, with spreading toes. It is a fault in your pet because it doesn’t support his weight well, causing health problems later on for your pet. This is why it is so important to have your pet’s nails clipped from time to time, because long nails can turn a good paw into a splayed one, actually injuring the tendons.

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.

Grooming:

german spaniel dogs - caringShedding quite heavily and seasonally, the German Spaniel’s thick coat will require being brushed twice a week to keep it shiny and healthy. He loves the attention you give him at the same time.

There are some German Spaniel owners who like to take their dogs in for professional grooming, requesting that the coat be cut short all round.

The long ears of your German Spaniel, especially if your pet spends a lot of time swimming, can be permanently damp, picking up dirt easily. Check inside the ears and make sure they are dry and clean to prevent ear infections.

Make sure to brush his teeth 2 or 3x a week as well because plaque build up leads to dental disease but it also negatively affects other body organs too, shortening your pet’s life.

Diet:

Every dog, just like any human being, requires good nutrition, fresh water and warm, dry sleeping facilities to remain happy and to give him a good chance at longevity.

Apart from the very best commercially manufactured dog foods, ensure he occasionally gets some raw meat in as well as some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken. These can be added into his kibble.

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. Sakhalin Husky vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Portuguese Water Dog vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Puli vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. German Spaniel vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  28. German Spaniel vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  29. German Spaniel vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  30. German Spaniel vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  31. German Spaniel vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  32. German Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  33. German Spaniel vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  34. German Spaniel vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. German Spaniel vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  36. German Spaniel vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  37. German Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  38. German Spaniel vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. German Spaniel vs Canaan Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. McNab vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Porcelaine vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Griffon Nivernais vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Hokkaido vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  45. Pumi vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  46. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Istrian Sheepdog vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds