Irish Wolfhound vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison

Irish Wolfhound vs Australian Terrier - Breed ComparisonIrish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland but Australian Terrier is originated from Australia. Irish Wolfhound may grow 60 cm / 24 inches higher than Australian Terrier. Irish Wolfhound may weigh 46 kg / 102 pounds more than Australian Terrier. Irish Wolfhound may live 5 years less than Australian Terrier. Both Irish Wolfhound and Australian Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Irish Wolfhound and Australian Terrier 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.

australian terrier - historyThe Australian terrier, the little terrier, is a breed developed to control vermin. The nature of this dog is very spirited. They are alert, courageous and self-confident but still very human-friendly.

Australian terriers were breed by the mix of the Terrier with the rough coat and Scotch Dog of Great Britain. These breeds were mixed until they produced the muscular and fearless dog for the Australian settlers. Their primary job was to control the number of rodents and snakes. They were taught to tend flocks, be an excellent guard dogs but remain friendly. This breed is still very popular as a working dog, loyal companion and dogs for show, city, home or a farm.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Ireland
Australia
Height Male:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
20 - 26 cm
7 - 11 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 10 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 4
2 - 6
Size:
Giant dog
Small dog
Other Names:
None
Blue and Tan Terrier, the Blue Terrier, the Broken-coated Terrier, the Australian Rough Coated Terrier, Aussie
Colors Available:
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
blue, tan, sandy and red variations
Coat:
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
rough long coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
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, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Playful, Protective, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
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.

australian terrier puppy - descriptionThe Australian terrier has body longer than they are tall. They are small dogs with the long and thick coat with silky undercoat and short little legs. This smart-eyes breed is perfect for persons who live indoors. But, you must know that they really like to bark and communicate that way with everybody. They also have a high need for activity so it will be necessary to take him out so he can run, play and be social with other dogs. They are very intelligent, but not very responsive. They will quickly learn how to fetch, but they will have days when they just feel like fetching.

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.

Around children

australian terrier dog - characteristicsThe Australian terrier is very good breed to choose if you have children. They are active and always ready to play, and they will protect the children since they have watchdog gene.

Special talents

Excellent watch dog. This breed will keep your garden and home vermin free.

Adaptability

They are generally very polite towards strangers and highly adaptable among other dogs, but their adaptability in social life is totally up to the human and the training. They can grow to be adaptable dogs that fit well into almost any environment; city or country, house or apartment.

Learning ability

Since they are an intelligent breed, the Australian terrier may surprise you with their ability to learn new tricks and shock you with their ability to be very strong willed about doing what is told. It’s not that they are not the type to obey and be “a good dog”, they are so playful and silly that they will often forget that they are the god and not the human. You must start training them while they are still pups.

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.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCPD)

australian terrier puppies - health problemsA bone disorder, where the hip joint starts to rot caused by decaying of the femur bone which is located in the dog’s hind limb.

Luxating patella is a knee disease where one or both kneecaps can slip out of place.

Cruciate ligament rupture

Rupture of an important ligament in the knee (stifle) joints.

Epilepsy

The brain disorder that is characterized by seizures. There are several different types of epilepsy that can affect dogs.

Diabetes

A chronic disease of the metabolism which is characterised as high glucose amount in the blood. This happens when hormone insulin drops below the normal values. This condition results in malfunction of vital organs.

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.

Feeding the puppy and adult

australian terrier dogs - caringRecommended daily amount is usually found on the type of the food you choose. They like dry food, and if you are not quite sure what brand of the dry food you should choose, seek a vet’s advice. The Australian terrier has a healthy appetite, but he almost never overeats. How much your Australian terrier eats depends on his size, age, metabolism, and activity level.

Grooming

Their coat requires moderate maintenance. That means that you don’t have to groom your Australian terrier every single day, but being aware of the importance of grooming him at least twice a week is a key because lack of adequate care may lead to skin diseases. Make sure not to bathe them too much, but you can be free with their haircut. They can grow very sharp toenails, so they should be clipped regularly. Ear and teeth must be kept clean.

Points for Good Health

Lots of outdoor activity. They are lovable kind, so don’t be reserved towards them. It’s important to begin training and socializing your pup as soon as possible. Training sessions need to be consistent, firm, short and clear. Grooming is a must since you will want to prevent the tangles and mats.

The best type of activity

Find a place for them where you can take of the leash and let them run free. They love chasing birds, butterflies and anything that flies above. They will chase small rodents, other dogs and cats. After you thought you Australian terrier how to play with other dogs and cats, they will be the most wanted guest in the whole neighbourhood. Find a place where they can dig holes – and they will be so happy that they probably won’t hear you calling them home.

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. Boston Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Jack Russell Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Miniature Schnauzer vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Cairn Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Border Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Rat Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Scottish Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Australian Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Patterdale Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. American Hairless Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Bull Terrier Miniature vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Norwich Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Norfolk Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. English White Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Parson Russell Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Russell Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Feist vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Manchester Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Cesky Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnorkie vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Sealyham Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Chilean Fox Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds