Irish Wolfhound vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison

Irish Wolfhound vs German Pinscher - Breed ComparisonGerman Pinscher is originated from Germany but Irish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland. German Pinscher may grow 36 cm / 14 inches shorter than Irish Wolfhound. German Pinscher may weigh 34 kg / 74 pounds lesser than Irish Wolfhound. German Pinscher may live 4 years more than Irish Wolfhound. German Pinscher may have more litter size than Irish Wolfhound. German Pinscher requires Low Maintenance. But Irish Wolfhound requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
undefined
Germany
Ireland
Height Male:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Height Female:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
6 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
3 - 4
Size:
Medium
Giant
Other Names:
Deutscher Pinscher
None
Colors Available:
Black and Tan, Reddish Brown, Brown
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
Coat:
Short and smooth
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, 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

german pinscherThe German Pinscher or Deutscher Pinscher originates in Germany. When you look at the dog you can see the the Doberman, the Rottweiler, Schnauzer, Affenpinscher and Miniature Pinscher have all played a role in the dog’s development.

There have been drawings of the German Pinscher which have been seen in dog books as early as 1884 and some drawings even earlier than this date. The dogs have descended from early European herding breeds.

The German Pinscher came to breeders of the United States in the 1980s, and the German Pinscher Club of America was started by German Pinscher fanciers, with the dog gaining acceptance by the Canadian Kennel Club in 2000.

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

german pinscher puppy - descriptionThe German Pinscher is a medium sized dog with a square build, looking very much like the Doberman Pinscher we know so well, but slightly smaller. Dogs and bitches stand roughly 45 to 50cm at the withers and the dog weighs between 14 to 20kg.

The dog is lean and muscular with a tight fitting skin. He has a short, smooth coat which can be brown, reddish brown or black and tan. He has a black nose, dark eyes and he has either high set drop ears or the ears are specifically erect.

In fact, with German Pinschers, they have always had their ears cropped and their tails docked, but these days the tail is left and unfortunately that distinctive look is gone.

Temperament:

Energetic, spirited, lively, confident, intelligent, fearless and loyal are just some of the characteristics of this amazing dog who is guaranteed to make you an excellent watchdog and companion.

The German Pinscher is a playful, good natured dog and he’ll make a good pet for households where there are other pets as well as children. He is a loving and loyal companion with an even temperament, although he is strong-willed and stubborn and will therefore need training and socialization. He then becomes a super obedient pet.

He can fit into city- or country life but he is an energetic dog and will certainly require being exercised every day. Like any other dog, he can become bored and frustrated when put into the backyard and left there by himself day after day.

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

german pinscher dog - characteristicsThe German Pinscher is a working dog bounding in energy. He just loves being involved with all the activities of his human family.

He is playful and assertive and will require a firm, balanced owner who is consistent with the rules laid down for the dog. It will be more than worthwhile having him trained and socialized as he becomes obedient, loyal and devoted.

He is intelligent and quick to learn and it simply turns him into a splendid pet. Add him to your family, and you’ll feel as though you’ve added a wonderful dimension to your home.

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

german pinscher puppies - health problemsWhen you see your German Pinscher standing lean and strong, you can’t think of him ever getting an illness. And yet, even a strong dog like this, who can reach 10 – 14 years of age with good nutrition, can get sick.

Look out for von Willebrand's blood-clotting disorder as well as heart disease and hip dysplasia with your German Pinscher.

Von Willebrand’s Disease:

This is a blood disease where there is a deficiency of von Willebrand Factor which results in the blood not clotting properly. The condition can lead to excessive bleeding with your pet after he has had an injury for instance.

You may notice bleeding from the gums, bloody urine or feces as well as bruising of the skin. Get him to the vet who will perform an examination of your pet.

Remember that some health problems seen in a dog are inherited, and if you can get certificates from the breeders proving that the parents have been cleared of hereditary eye diseases, hip dysplasia and blood clotting disease for instance, your dog will have less risks of developing any of these serious conditions.

Also many illnesses can be eliminated by providing your pet with excellent food, clean water, a warm dry place to sleep and lots of love and attention.

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

Diet:

german pinscher dogs - caringThe German Pinscher, because he is a muscular, energetic dog, should be fed a high-quality dog food that suits his size and his energy levels. If you feed him one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure of the ingredients, as you don’t want food that is full of fillers, colorants and preservatives.

Choose high quality foods and sometimes mix in your own home cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken. Adding in some raw meat occasionally will enhance his health too and help him towards staving off common dog illnesses. He should always have access to fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

He is a high energy dog and will require hectic exercise such as ball- and rope-pulling games, hikes, swimming and walks every day.

Grooming:

His short, smooth coat will require brushing twice a week to remove loose hairs and help it to maintain that sleek, glossy look.

Remember to check his ears for wax and dirt build up as well as for ear hematomas. These swellings inside your dogs ear can also be as a result of something stuck inside your dog’s ear or from your dog scratching his ear because of mites.

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