Irish Wolfhound vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison

Irish Wolfhound vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed ComparisonHarlequin Pinscher is originated from Germany but Irish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland. Harlequin Pinscher may grow 53 cm / 20 inches shorter than Irish Wolfhound. Harlequin Pinscher may weigh 49 kg / 108 pounds lesser than Irish Wolfhound. Harlequin Pinscher may live 5 years more than Irish Wolfhound. Both Harlequin Pinscher and Irish Wolfhound has almost same litter size. Harlequin Pinscher requires Low Maintenance. But Irish Wolfhound requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Hound dog
undefined
Germany
Ireland
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Height Female:
25 - 23 cm
9 - 10 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
6 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
3 - 4
Size:
Toy
Giant
Other Names:
Spotted Pinscher, Merle Pinscher, Harlequin Miniature Pinscher, Harlequin Min Pin
None
Colors Available:
brown, Black, brindle or piebald, fawn patterns of merle, red
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
Coat:
Short and smooth
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

harlequin pinscherThis toy-sized dog is a type of Miniature Pinscher originating in Germany. The dog was developed by crossing traditional Miniature Pinschers with other toy-sized short-haired terriers. He falls into the Terrier category.

The dog was used to kill rats, but has always been a devoted pet at the same time. They nearly became extinct after World War II, but the breed was once again restored. Today it is an established breed, but it isn’t recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.

In fact, The Harlequin Pinscher Association is the only breed club that recognizes the Harlequin Pinscher. It can be registered with the Harlequins Pinschers Association or with the American Canine Association.

irish wolfhoundIt 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.

Description

harlequin pinscher puppy - descriptionThis is a small compact dog standing at 25 – 33cm in height and weighing about 3kg to 4 or 5kg. He has dark eyes and ears which are set high and which are erect with just the top of them folding forwards.

The legs are straight and thin with small cat-like shaped paws. The tail is traditionally cropped, but these days the tail is left longer. He has a short coat which is available in a range of colors – black, brown, red, fawn patterns of merle, brindle or piebald. The Harlequin Pinscher is like a Bambi or a small deer, especially when they're a bit long in the leg.

Temperament:

Alert and inquisitive, the Harlequin Pinscher is a feisty, devoted little dog, brave and loyal and he has a lot of energy. He is intelligent too and with training and socialization, he becomes such a pleasure to have around, obedient and responding well to instructions.

He is known to be good with other pets as well as with children, so long as the children have been taught to respect animals. As always, a dog pretty much turns out the way the owners are, and with training and firmness while being patient and fair, you don’t have to worry about your Harlequin turning into a ‘small dog syndrome’ animal – whining, snappy and disagreeable. He is actually described as a big dog in a tiny dog's body.

The Harlequin Pinscher is a social dog and wants to be with you wherever you go.

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.

Characteristics

harlequin pinscher dog - characteristicsThe Harlequin Pinscher may have once been good at catching rats but these days they are much more sought after for their ability to be a splendid companion and pet.

He is such an entertaining, social little dog, wanting to spend as much time with you as possible. He is fearless, energetic, playful, confident, loving and intelligent and those who have owned them say they are courageous way beyond their size.

He is strong willed, stubborn and confident and this larger-than-life dog is just waiting to show you what a wonderful friend he can be to you too.

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.

Health Problems

harlequin pinscher puppies - health problemsHarlequin Pinschers, just like other dog breeds, have health issues that they are prone to such as epilepsy, dental issues, obesity and Patellar Luxation.

Epilepsy or Seizures:

Some seizures in dogs are genetic or related to illness. A dog could have ingested something poisonous while a head injury can also cause seizures in dogs. If your pet has a seizure you may notice foaming at the mouth, drooling or twitching of the legs.

After a seizure you could see your dog walking in circles and bumping into things. It is important to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

harlequin pinscher dogs - caringThe short, smooth coat of the Harlequin Pinscher is easy to maintain, shedding little. With such a small, nimble dog, you can even take a damp cloth and wipe him down. You can brush him down once or twice a week to keep his coat healthy and shiny.

Dogs can develop dental problems such as tartar and plaque build-up. and this can lead to canine dental problems which can turn life-threatening as bad teeth affect the heart, kidneys and the liver.

You need to brush your pet's teeth 2 or 3 times a week making use of canine toothbrush and toothpaste. Never use regular human toothpaste for your dog as it can be poison to him. It is why dry kibble is better than soft food as the soft food sticks to the dogs teeth.

Diet:

Your Harlequin Pinscher is also a member of the toy breed group and he has high energy levels. Always choose a high quality kibble for a small dog breed and also which is in keeping with his age and activity levels. He will do well on a high quality dry commercial food, some raw meat or home-cooked food such as chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables. If your dog is an energetic dog, he will benefit from a diet rich in protein.

It will be tempting to feed your little pet tasty treats such as chocolate, nuts, coffee and milk but be careful as these can cause severe digestive problems with your dog.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Harlequin Pinscher vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Harlequin Pinscher vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Harlequin Pinscher vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Harlequin Pinscher vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Harlequin Pinscher vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Harlequin Pinscher vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Harlequin Pinscher vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Harlequin Pinscher vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Harlequin Pinscher vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Harlequin Pinscher vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Harlequin Pinscher vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Harlequin Pinscher vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Harlequin Pinscher vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Harlequin Pinscher vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Harlequin Pinscher vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Harlequin Pinscher vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Harlequin Pinscher vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Harlequin Pinscher vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Harlequin Pinscher vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Harlequin Pinscher vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Harlequin Pinscher vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Harlequin Pinscher vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Harlequin Pinscher vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Harlequin Pinscher vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Harlequin Pinscher vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Wolfhound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Wolfhound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Irish Wolfhound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Wolfhound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Irish Wolfhound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Wolfhound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Wolfhound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Wolfhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Wolfhound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Wolfhound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Wolfhound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Wolfhound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Wolfhound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Wolfhound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Wolfhound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Wolfhound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Wolfhound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Wolfhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Wolfhound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Wolfhound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Wolfhound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Wolfhound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Irish Wolfhound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Irish Wolfhound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Irish Wolfhound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison