Irish Wolfhounds are muscular, large, greyhound-like dogs. They’re the tallest dog breed but not the heaviest. They’re known for their athleticism, especially when it comes to their endurance.

One of the earliest recorded acknowledgments of Irish Wolfhounds is in Roman records dating to 391 A.D. They were often given as royal gifts; they hunted with their masters, fought beside them in battle, guarded their castles, played with their children, and lay quietly by the fire as family friends. They were fierce hunters of wolves and the oversized Irish elk, so good that their prey disappeared from Ireland. 

In this article, we will review everything you need to know about grooming an Irish Wolfhound. 

Quick Overview of Breed Facts & Characteristics

The Irish Wolfhound is a giant; they’re known for their impressive size and unique wiry coat. To maintain this breed's natural appearance, grooming is critical. Proper grooming ensures their coat remains healthy and vibrant.

• Country of Origin: Ireland
• Height at Shoulder: 30" to 32"
• Coat Length/Type: Moderate/Wiry
• Color: Tans, gray, red, black, cream, white, black, and brindled.

The End Goal

Irish Wolfhounds have a rugged appearance due to their harsh, rough coat. The main goal of grooming is to keep their coat completely natural with only small amounts of tidying to emphasize their form.

How Often Should You Groom Irish Wolfhounds? 

• Pre-Bath Preparation: Use a high-velocity dryer to remove dirt and dander and loosen the shedding coat before bathing.
• Bathing: Once a week to once every 12 weeks, as needed.
• Ear Cleaning: Swab the ears clean with a mild cleaning solution.
• Nail Care: Trim or grind every four to six weeks for healthy foot structure.

The Best Irish Wolfhound Grooming Process 

Brushing

Brushing is a crucial step in maintaining an Irish Wolfhound's coat. Use various tools such as a rubber curry, shedding blade, undercoat rake, pumice stone, carding tool, fine stripping knife, slicker brush, or a natural bristle brush to remove loose coat and tangles. Ensure you handle these tools with care to prevent brush burns. Brushing should continue until no more loose hair can be removed.

Carding

Carding is a natural technique used to remove the soft, downy undercoat. Tools typically used for carding include a pumice stone, a fine-toothed stripping knife, an undercoat rake, or a fine blade. Removing the soft undercoat allows the topcoat to lie closer to the natural outline of the dog and accentuate the dog's structure. It also promotes a profuse, harsh outer coat, enhances color, and protects the skin.

Hand-Stripping

Hand-stripping is a technique that involves plucking the outer guard coat from the dog's skin. This process helps maintain the breed's proper coat texture and rich color. Hand-stripping should correspond with the dog's natural cycle, depending on the environment and hormonal levels. Use your fingers, a carding tool, or a stripping knife to pull out a few hairs at a time, always working toward the coat growth. Avoid brute force and maintain a gentle, rhythmic plucking motion. The coat should be left between 1 to 3 inches long and appear natural, never clipped or heavily trimmed.

Head

Leave the coat longer on the muzzle. Lightly hand-strip or pluck the top skull, throat, and cheeks. Leave triangles of coat above each eye to form moderate eyebrows that accentuate the eye area. Ears should be stripped of longer hair, and if the ear leather doesn't strip easily, clip it with appropriate blade sizes.

Feet & Hocks

Trim the pads with a close-cutting blade, then tidy the outside edge of the foot, if necessary, with small detailing shears. If the hocks have a longer coat, trim them lightly with thinning shears to maintain a neat and clean appearance.

Detail Finish

You may apply bows and mild cologne as optional finishing touches.

Special Note

Avoid clipping an Irish Wolfhound's wiry coat, as it can significantly alter its texture and color. Instead, encourage the growth of the correct harsh wire coat by plucking the blown coat when ready. This stimulates hair follicles to produce a new guard coat, preserving the brilliant color and texture of the breed.

Irish Wolfhound Haircuts and Styling

The good news is Irish Wolfhounds don't need any major styling. It is recommended to trim the hair around the genital area, around the anus, and between the footpads every 4 to 6 weeks with a pair of canine trimming scissors. You can also trim the beard and the hair above the eyes if you want.

It’s not common to see a shaved Irish Wolfhound because it's not recommended. If you don't keep up with brushing several times per week, your dog will need to be stripped. You can take them to a groomer for professional hand stripping or buy a stripping tool to use at home that will rake out the hair.

Suggested Tools & Equipment for Grooming Irish Wolfhounds

Below, you’ll find a list of recommended tools and equipment for grooming this breed. 

• Nail Trimmers
• Styptic Powder
• Ear Powder
• Ear Cleaning Solution
• Cotton Balls
• Hemostat
• Clippers
• Slicker Brush
• Greyhound Comb
• Pumice Stone
• Carding Tools
• Stripping Knives
• Straight Shears
• Curved Shears
• Small Detailing Shears
• Thinning Shears
• Dematting Tools

Common Blade Options:

• #40
• #15
• #10

Wrapping Up

Grooming an Irish Wolfhound can be a rewarding experience, both for the pet and the owner. By following these guidelines and using the right tools, you can ensure your beloved Wolfhound maintains its majestic appearance and healthy coat. Remember, the goal is to preserve the natural beauty of this breed, so minimal intervention is critical.

If you want to become a pet groomer, we offer a complete training program involving essential physiology, safety, practical skills, and business knowledge modules. Additionally, you get the added benefits of access to an online community, weekly workshops, course updates for an entire year, and a certificate of completion. 

With the proper education and certification from Groomers University, a world of opportunities opens up for you. You’ll be able to pursue career options like roles in pet grooming salons, veterinary clinics, mobile grooming services, or even the establishment of a personal grooming business.