Welcome to the breed club for the Irish Wolfhound in Ireland.

The Irish Wolfhound, Irish Wolfdog or Cú was used by the ancient Irish for fighting and hunting . It was a sight hound for Chiefs and Kings and considered to be a royal dog and not for general ownership.  Bred for endurance, speed and strength they would have eaten a high proportion of meat in their diet.  As the reputation of this wolfdog spread so many of their number were exported, often in groups of five or more, to other countries as gifts or as tribute.  Inevitably with the change through the centuries to a more agrarian lifestyle the wolfdog's bloodlines became diluted and his purpose blunted.

As part of the breed's revival Captain Augustus Graham, then living in Dursley Gloucestershire, founded the Irish Wolfhound Club in the UK in 1885.  After the Declaration of Irish Independence in 1921 communications between the two countries were constrained.  In 1925 the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland ( IWCI ) was setup with Mr J Baily, an Irish founder member of the 1885 club, as the first chairman.

The IWCI is concerned with the breeding of excellent Irish Wolfhounds and so it is also involved with their showing and welfare.  We have guidelines for the breed, for breeders, puppy nurture and the general care and health of the animals.  Irish Wolfhounds are a very special breed and they deserve to be looked after and their form, temperament and good character passed on to future generations.