Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix: Everything You Need To Know.

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So you’re thinking about getting yourself a hybrid dog, and for some reason, an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix comes to mind or falls among the options, but you don’t know a lot about this dog or might have seen them a couple of times before. 

Read Also: The 6 Retriever dog breeds – (An Overview with Pictures)

Well, I’m glad to say you’re reading the right page. We’ve discussed everything there is to know about this adorable designer dog breed, from what they are, to physical appearance, temperament, grooming requirements, and even common health problems associated with them and possible preventions.

Well, without wasting much time, let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

What is an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix?

This modern-day designer dog is a cross between the Irish Wolfhound and the Labrador Retriever. They’re quite popular, partly because both parent breeds are classic dogs for hunters, so, understandably, their puppies are bred for more or less the same purpose.

Just like every hunter’s dog, they are well built physically, which comes with no surprise because one of their parent breed (the Irish Wolfhound) is the largest sighthound bred for hunting. Like both parent breeds, the Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix is a large-sized, well-built dog that you’d easily call the perfect family dog.

Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

Although the features in size are needed in both parents, the case of temperament is not the same as the Irish Wolfhound tends to exhibit their wild traits more than the Labrador Retriever.

Read Also: 19 Worst Dog Breeds for Cats (With Photos)

So, knowing the exact temperament of the dog you’ve got is a little bit tricky. You’ll have to notice it yourself while they live with you. And, of course, we’ll talk a little about the general temperament to expect later in the article.

Let’s briefly discuss more details about both parents; it might just help you understand what this dog breed is all about.

Stats Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix
Weight 70-160 Pounds
Height 25-37 inches
Lifespan 10- 14 years
Temperament Intelligent/Energetic/Fun-loving
Colour Black, blond (reddish), chocolate brown, yellow, grey, etc

Origin — Overview of Irish Wolfhound

This amazing dog breed is not just the largest sighthound; it’s also the tallest dog breed in the world. And if that hasn’t caught your attention yet, add that this breed has a history dating back as 400 BC. Yes, I’m talking about the great Roman Empire.

These, now often seen as gentle giants, were ferocious enough to fight against men on moving chariots. They were well respected for their fighting capabilities and were given as gifts to warriors who returned from winning battles.

In Ireland, where they originally come from, they usually would be used in hunting animals like elks and wolves. However, when their natural prey was on the verge of extinction, they became endangered too.

Fortunately, two men, Major H. D. Richardson and Captain George came to their rescue in the 1800s; hence, they could still breed them today.

Although the Irish Wolfhound is quite a large dog, they’re actually very gentle and warm towards strangers, not just the family. 

However, this doesn’t mean that there is no trace of wildness in their behavior. If given the opportunity, this dog will chase small prey around the compound, so you have to be very watchful when taking them to the park; you don’t definitely want them off-lease in public.

Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix, Irish Wolfhound Labrador retriever Mix

Despite fitting in the profile of a large and ferocious dog, it is interesting to know that this dog is not a barker. Perhaps this is one area they fall short of; they might have that intimidating size, but they can’t be your burglar alarm.

Stats Irish Wolfhound
Weight 120-180 Pounds
Height 30-35 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan 6- 12 years
Temperament Loyal/Patient/Sweet-Tempered
Colour Black, White, Brindle, gray etc

Origin — Overview of Labrador Retriever (Lab)

As we see, this dog’s name is derived from “Labrador,” which refers to the Canadian region, and “Retriever,” which refers to their capability to hunt and carry dead prey in the mouth. This descendant of the St John’s water dog looks a lot like the Newfoundland dog and is often mistaken for one, especially when they’re puppies.

However, these hunters’ favorites can easily be identified by their size and coat. They’re medium to large-sized dogs with short hair and less thick coat. Also, their habits can be a giveaway to identify them as they love the water and would often get involved in plays and exercises that most likely will end with them getting wet.

Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix, Irish Wolfhound Labrador retriever Mix

Although they are predominately used as pets to serve the blind, disabled or elderly, their amazing smell makes them a great choice for hunters that operate in swampy areas.

As for temperament, they can easily pass as the best family dogs; they are very gentle and docile and won’t pass out a chance to have fun with family members. They have the tendency to become suborn; however, with proper training during the puppy stage, this won’t be an issue.

Okay, enough with the parents; let’s get to why we’re here.

Stats Labrador Retriever
Weight Male: 29-36 kg
Female: 25-32kg
Height Male: 57-62 cm
Female: 55-60 cm
Lifespan 10-12 years
Temperament Intelligent/Outgoing/Even Tempered
Colour Black, White, Brindle, gray etc

Read Other Dog Mixes

Physical Appearance of an Irish Wolfhound Labrador Retriever Mix

It’s difficult to call the exact appearance of an Irish Wolfhound Mix. I know it’s a little bit cliché saying that but it is what it is; hybrid dogs are exotic, and there’s no telling unless you won the breeding home or you’re the vet.

Despite not being able to call their physical appearance accurately, there’s usually a way to identify them. They will often look like their parents, and depending on the puppy, inherited physical traits can vary. There are certain giveaways, like color and coating, which can easily be helpful in identifying these dogs.

Colour and Coating of an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

The Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix comes in different colors: black, blond (reddish), chocolate brown, yellow, grey, etc. Often you will see them having two or more colors on their coat which is normal because it’s expected that they inherit colors from both parents.

Whatever the case, the colors an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix puppy will have will comprise either one or both of its parents.

In terms of coating, this dog takes the best qualities from both parents. They usually have medium to long-sized double-coated fur. Although, it’s also common to see some born single-coated because the Labrador is single-coated.

It’ll obviously mean they inherited their coating texture primarily from one of the parents. They can also be born as either heavy or moderate shedders, so either way, be ready for some grooming.

Size of an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

Just like their parents, their traits make them medium to large-sized dogs. Although they usually come in large sizes, be ready because you’re not bringing home a small dog.

Measured for the shoulder, an adult Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix can be 25-30 inches tall and usually weigh between 70-100 pounds. However, these are not fully approved scientific reports of their sizes; it’s just what we’ve gathered from our interaction with a few owners and breeders over the years.

The temperament Of An Irish Wolfhound Labrador Retriever Mix

The Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix is an intelligent, energetic, and fun-loving dog. This breed, for some reason, tends only to take the calm and peaceful traits of both parents. They’re what you’ll easily call the perfect family dog, very child tolerant and always loves to play.

As we know, all dogs need attention, and the Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix is not an exemption. After all, it’s part of the purpose of getting a pet, right? These adorable creatures will misbehave and have a bad attitude if left alone for too long. However, they’re generally laidback and peaceful dogs.

They’re also usually on top of their game when it comes to socialization. They can be very friendly to other humans and pets, especially when trained to socialize at a very young age. Perhaps you’ll say they’re too peaceful because they don’t bark, making them unsuitable for a burglar alarm, just a cuddle buddy or another family member.

Health Problems of an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

Being a hybrid dog, we generally don’t expect a lot of health problems. However, health problems in dogs are something that we can’t completely erase, even though we can avoid it.

First, we have to ensure we’re getting a healthy puppy from the breeder in the first place because this will greatly influence the dog’s likelihood of developing health issues as they grow older.

Suppose a breeder does a good job securing the health of a puppy. In that case, the future owner need not worry much about consistent health issues, especially if they play their part regarding dieting, exercise, and training.

Having an average lifespan of 7-10 years, it’s clear that the health issues likely to affect an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix are genetic. They’re complications that often happen to the parent breeds too. Below are the health issues you should try to avoid while raising your Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix dog;

  • Joint dysplasia
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Myopathy
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Cataracts

Possible Labrador Retriever Health Issues

  • Hip/Joint Dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Myopathy
  • Cataracts
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Possible Irish Wolfhound Health Issues

  • Liver Shunt
  • Fibrocartilaginous Embolus
  • Anesthesia Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
  • Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)

Grooming Requirements of An Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

Grooming is something you don’t want to be handling with a slack hand. We guess you’d love a neat-looking dog without flees that is cool to cuddle, right? So don’t fail to take proper care of your dog.

Grooming an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix is often difficult because these dogs are usually heavy shedder. However, it might surprise you that they are actually low-maintenance dogs, so you don’t need a lot of effort to make them look good.

If you notice your dog is a heavy shedder, it is ideal for brushing your pet at least once a week and plucking excess hair in its ears, so it’s not vulnerable to infections.

However, a light shedder requires only brushing once or twice a month. Also, you want to get trimming scissors for cutting the hair on its neck, which should be a light cut.

Although these guys can be pretty hairy, they don’t need to bathe a lot; once or twice a month would do. Except on special occasions when they make a real mess of themselves and need a full-body bath.

Dietary Requirements of an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

It’s one thing to ensure your dog is not running on an empty stomach, and it’s another thing to ensure they are fed with the right nutrients needed for them to grow well. Each dog breed has its own specific nutritional requirements. 

For the case of an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix prone to obesity, which can lead to different types of dysplasia, we recommend feeding your pet food with the right nutrition that contains good protein ingredients essential for their skin, coat and bones.

You should try your best to avoid overfeeding this dog because, as said earlier, they’re prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, which is often a result of being overweight. Also, adding supplements like chondroitin, glucosamine, and fish oil to their diet is a great idea.

Exercise and Training Requirements of an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

Constant exercise and training are very important for any dog to grow physically and mentally. For a large-sized hybrid dog like the Lab Irish Wolfhound Mix, constant exercise is something they shouldn’t do without. 

Make sure you take your dog for a long walk often. Despite being a gentle breed that’s often laid back, they still have that hound trait, and all the excess energy needs to be burnt regularly.

The Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix is quite the intelligent dog breed, but it also comes with a catch. They can, at times, create a challenging task for the owner who’s trying to train them. They often will need a strong hand to behave. 

Training your dog is best started at the puppy stage; they can easily get things to stick to their memory which is what you want. It’s also helpful to acknowledge the dog when they do well, and it is an encouragement for them.

Determining if an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix is the Right Dog for You

So you’ve made it up to this point but haven’t gotten an Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix yet. Maybe you haven’t gotten the final affirmation you want, so you can decide on getting one for yourself or not. Well, let’s discuss it a little about it.

This hybrid dog is generally an intelligent, energetic, but laid-back fellow. These features make them ideal for families. Their peaceful nature makes them tolerate little children, so you don’t have to worry too much about your kid playing with the dog. 

Like their sizes, they also need to live in large spaces, so they’re not ideal for raising them in small apartments. They do well raised in a home with a large compound or backyard where they can play and exercise.

Finally, they don’t serve as burglar alarms, and they don’t bark, so if you’re looking to get a dog that also serves that purpose, there are probably other better options you could go with.

Things To Know Before Adopting A Lab Irish Wolfhound Dog.

1. Adopting an Irish Wolfhound Lab mix will cost you more than a pure-breed dog.

2. Remember that you need special attention and care for this breed compared to other pure-breed dogs.

3. They can provide great companionship with children, other family members and pets if properly trained.

4. They are intelligent dogs and easy to train

5. A Lab Irish Wolfhound can be an aggressive shedder.

6. They are perfect apartment dogs

7. It can be tough adopting an Irish Wolfhound Lab mix because the availability of this breed puppy is unknown and scarce.

8. Remember that when you adopt A Lab Irish Wolfhound, you must occasionally test its hips, skin and elbow.

Related Question

How Much Does It Cost To Buy An Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix Puppy?

A healthy Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix puppy can cost between $500 to $2000. However, the cost of the puppies depends on your residential location, the availability of the puppy and its quality.

You’ll likely pay more if you buy or adopt a Lab Irish Wolfhound mix puppy with health insurance.

Conclusion Lab Irish Wolfhound Mix

As earlier said, the puppies from this mix can take more characteristics from one parent breed, while some might take more appearance from the other.

We hope we have given you detailed information about the Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix that you need to know before adopting one as a pet.

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