Meet the Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhound

Often referred to as the “Irish dogs,” “the big dogs of Ireland,” “the great hounds of Ireland,” the Irish Wolfhound were used in wolf and elk hunting as well as serving as their master’s guards in battle. The largest and tallest of all the gazehounds, was first mentioned in A.D. 391 when Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, the Roman Counsul, wrote to his brother, Flavianus, thanking him for sending him seven Irish Wolfhounds. Four hundred years later, they were used by the Celts when they invaded Greece. However, they are most often seen in the art work of the Middle Ages. The modern Wolfhound has an expression of quiet authority which gives him a look of invincibility but his attitude toward people is very kind.

If you'd like to order the charted knitting pattern of the Irish Wolfhound, go to http://www.kanineknits.com/kanine_knits_knitting_patterns.htm