The Golden Retriever Irish Wolfhound Mix – An Underrated Unique Dog

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix is exactly what you can expect to get from mixing two very special dogs like Goldens and Irish Wolfhounds.

The mix has a really interesting personality and can be great as family dogs, however, they are uncommon in some countries.

They are quite unique in many aspects, so let’s take a quick look at the characteristics of the Golden Retriever Irish Wolfhound before we dive in to what makes this dog so special;  

Other Names	None
Weight	75 – 120 Pounds
Height	24 – 30 inches
Lifespan	8 – 12 years
Colors	Golden, cream, red, brown,black, and gray.
Health	9/10
Grooming Needs	9/10
Exercise Needs	7/10
Shedding	8/10
Kid Friendliness	7/10
Pet-friendliness	7/10
Protectiveness	4/10
Good for apartments	No
Average puppy cost	$500-$2,000 USD

Golden Retriever Irish Wolfhound mix Characteristics 

Size: 24 – 30 inches

Weight: 75 – 120 pounds 

Colors: Golden, cream, red, brown, black, and gray.

Coat Type: Double-coated/wire 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix has a thick double coat, their possible colors are cream, golden, brown, red, gray, and black.

Their nose is usually black or dark brown, and the color of their eyes is often brown or hazel.

However, they can inherit any combination of physical traits from their parents, so whoever has the strongest genes will take over their appearance.

This large breed is not recommended for apartment living even though they have low activity levels inside but they are not built for stairs. If you do live in an apartment, you can check these excellent dog breeds that can perfectly handle apartments and stairs.

Parent Breeds

Let’s know more about the parent breeds, so here are some things you probably didn’t know about Irish wolfhounds.

The Irish wolfhound is an intelligent and gentle canine, they are calm and have a strong desire to be with their family.

They must be trained and you can do it easily if you use positive reinforcement, for example, praise them and reward them with their favorite treat.

Most people expect the Irish wolfhound to be aggressive or great as guard dogs but they are dead wrong that a tender pup does not have a single aggressive bone in their body, they will alert you if there is something wrong but they will do nothing so they are a poor choice as a guard dog.

I’ve linked to a couple of really good books on Irish wolfhounds that I’ve enjoyed in the sources section at the end of the post, you can check them out if you’re interested in learning more about them.

Golden retrievers are also really intelligent and affectionate, they are eager to please and they tend to get along with other animals pretty well.

They are very gentle with kids and friendly with strangers which also makes them not good as guard dogs.

These dogs are not barkers and they are perfect family dogs, they are energetic and playful which makes them great companions.

Temperament 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix is a friendly and affectionate dog, they need your attention and care if your pup is feeling neglected, they can be a little grumpy and can have edgy behavior.

However, that’s why you have a pet right? So just shower them with your love and attention, plan to make some effort for them, and try to involve them in as many family activities as possible.

They are tender with kids and get along well with other dogs, early socialization is really necessary for them to make sure that your pup grows up properly and to be well-rounded.

Health and lifespan 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound is usually healthy but like any other breed, they may develop some health issues or they can inherit something from one of their parents.

So you need to be aware of the health issues that they may be prone to just to be prepared for anything.

• Hip dysplasia 
• Progressive retinal atrophy 
• Elbow dysplasia 
• Cataracts 
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans 
• Osteosarcoma 
• Cancer 

So take them to the vet regularly to check on them and if you notice any changes in your pup’s behavior then you need to consult their vet as soon as possible.

If you are getting your pup from a breeder then you should expect to see health clearances from Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

Nutritional Needs 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound has different dietary requirements from their parents.

The recommended amount is 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food per day, however, the food amount depends on your pup’s age, size, and build so maybe you should ask their vet about the right amount for your pup.

Measure your dog’s food and feed them twice a day but if you have an energetic pup that likes to run around all day long then maybe you should feed them a little more. 

There are some things that are main in every dog’s diet such as vitamins and protein. For some excellent recommendations, check out the best foods for retrievers here – and yes, these are also great for this mixed breed as well.

Grooming Needs & Shedding

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound is a heavy shedder as the golden retriever and the Irish wolfhound.

Both of the parent breeds shed consistently throughout the year, so make sure to brush your pup every day to prevent mating and tangling in their fur.

Bathe them at least once a month to keep their coat healthy, clean, shiny, and smelling good. I have a full guide on how to make your dog smell good here which you should probably check out.

Brush your pup’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria, if you can brush their teeth, please do to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

Trim their nails once or twice a month to prevent painful tears.

Exercise Needs 

Their exercise needs are going to depend on which side they are more like, if the pup inherits their golden parent energy then they will need at least an hour of exercise per day but if they are calm like their Irish wolfhound parent then they will need 20 to 30 minutes per day at minimum.

They will definitely enjoy a daily walk with anyone they care about but avoid taking for a walk an hour or two before and after meals.

You can also take them to the park to play with other dogs, it’s a great way to burn all their excess energy.

Training 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound is usually easy to train but even easier to train if they had crate training and were early socialized.

Always use positive reinforcement and never use physical punishment or harsh words because it will shut your pup down.

However, this mix is really intelligent plus there is the possibility of them inheriting the eager to please trait from their golden retriever parent and it’s going to make training them easier. 

As Family Dogs 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound is a great family dog, they like spending time with their family.

They are gentle and tender with kids, however, due to their large size they can knock kids down accidentally, also, if a kid plays rough with them or tries to sit on them, they can snap so teach your kids how to respect their dog and supervise any interactions between them.

They also get along with other dogs so if you want to get them as a second dog then make sure to get them while they are puppies.

As Guard Dogs 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound is a poor guard dog, they are companions and not guard dogs so if you want to get a guard dog then maybe you should reconsider getting this mix.

They will alarm you if they feel something is off but that’s it, they will not move or try to stop it.

Where to find them? 

You can get the golden retriever Irish wolfhound from a shelter or a rescue group. 

If you didn’t find one in these places then you get them from a breeder and it will cost you between $500-$2,000.

You can also check the national breed club or local breed club of both of the parents and they will contact you if they have one.

You can also check out other Golden Mixes such as the Golden Retriever Shiba Inu Mix here or the Golden Retriever Malamute mix here.

All About the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix in a nutshell 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix is a friendly, intelligent, affectionate, and loyal dog, they are great family dogs because they get along with kids and other animals but they are not good as guard dogs, they are not barkers and really calm indoors but not suited for apartments.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix A Good Family Dog? 

Yes, the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix can be a good family dog but make sure to give them early socialization, they tend to build a special bond with one person so make sure to let them participate in many family activities when they are young.

Is the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix easy to train? 

Yes, the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix is easy to train especially if you used positive reinforcement, both golden retriever and Irish wolfhound are easy to train so the mix will inherit that trait as well.

Is the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix good with kids? 

Yes, the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix is good with kids, since both of the parent breeds are gentle with children, however, they are best suited to homes with older children due to their size.

How much is the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix? 

The golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix can cost you between $500 – $2,000 but it depends on the breeder you are purchasing from, also, if you are adopting the golden Irish mix, the cost is around $300.

Is the golden retriever Irish wolfhound mix smart? 

Yes, the golden retriever wolfhound mix is smart, they are easygoing canines with a quiet nature and they got that all from their parents who share the same traits, make sure to keep them active mentally and physically because they can be destructive when they are bored.

Helpful Resources 

The Irish Wolfhound Bible by Mark Manfield (You can also check this book on Amazon here)

Magnificent Irish Wolfhound (A Ringpress dog book of distinction) by Mary McBryde (You can check this book on Amazon here as well)