Mackenzie River Husky vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison

Mackenzie River Husky vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed ComparisonIrish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland but Mackenzie River Husky is originated from United States. Irish Wolfhound may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than Mackenzie River Husky. Irish Wolfhound may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Mackenzie River Husky. Irish Wolfhound may live 4 years less than Mackenzie River Husky. Irish Wolfhound may have less litter size than Mackenzie River Husky. Both Irish Wolfhound and Mackenzie River Husky requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
undefined
Ireland
United States
Height Male:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
66 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
Weight Female:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
29 - 47 kg
63 - 104 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 10 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 4
4 - 10
Size:
Giant
Large
Other Names:
None
None
Colors Available:
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
White, tan, cream, black, blonde and red.
Coat:
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Medium Length to Long - dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
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, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

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.

mackenzie river huskyThe name Mackenzie River Husky was given to these huskies by those wanting to name the freight huskies of a certain area. The name took hold in the 1960’s, but the dog began to disappear with the introduction of snow machines.

They’re a mixture of native sled dogs - Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Staghounds and Wolf. As a mixed breed, they have always been regarded as classic sled dogs.

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.

mackenzie river husky puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Mackenzie River Husky stands at 66 to 74cm in height and weighs between 29 and 47kg.

This deep chested dog has a long, straight coat with the colors being typically wolf-like – white, cream, black, tan, blonde and red. He has erect ears, long legs and a long, bushy tail.

Temperament:

This wolf-type dog is strong willed and independent and was always a pack dog. They wouldn’t be described as a good choice for the first time dog owner as they do seem to have some wolf traits and will require a strong, firm, level headed owner.

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.

mackenzie river husky dog - characteristicsYour MacKenzie River Husky is such a likeable pet to have. True, he does tend to be a bit stubborn and independent but there is nothing that training and socialization won’t do for him. You’ll find him much more obedient and amicable, and he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

He is an intelligent dog too and very energetic so will require an owner who is active, firm and consistent. He thrives on human company and just wants to be around his owner all the time, ready to join in with any activity happening in his life.

He is therefore far more suited to life in the countryside than to the city. Loyal, devoted and loving, a MacKenzie River Husky isn’t only a beautiful dog to own, he promises to offer everything you want in a 4-legged friend.

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.

mackenzie river husky puppies - health problemsYour MacKenzie River Husky, regardless of how healthy he is, can suffer with some common health problems that all dogs are prone to.

Perhaps one of the more common health problems that this particular dog breed has to contend with is cataracts, hip dyslasia and hypothyroidism.

Cataracts:

Many people associate cataracts in dogs with age, little realizing that there are many medical reasons as to why our pets develop cataracts. Cataracts can start as early as 6 months of age, although this is unlikely. They come about because of a disease which affects the lens of the eye, causing the lens to lose its transparency.

You’ll notice a whitish/grey shade in your dog’s eye and this can actually impair vision. Cataracts are particularly the lot of diabetic dogs. It can certainly help to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another fairly common problem with Huskies. It’s almost like a death sentence if your MacKenzie is a working dog because it can lead to lameness. The disease can lead to problems in the hip joint which cab be debilitating ad give your dog a lot of pain.

It doesn’t strike old dogs only, but can be the lot of young dogs too. Sometimes treatment will require surgery but there are non-invasive options too. You want to make sure that you don’t allow your pet to become overweight as this can contribute to developing hip dysplasia.

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.

Exercise:

mackenzie river husky dogs - caringHuskies like this one will require a good deal of exercise every single day. These are working dogs who have always had a job to do and you can certainly count him in when you do your hiking walks, swimming – you name it. The only thing he will object to is that he doesn’t do well in hot weather. Strong-willed, you’ll want your MacKenzie River Husky trained and socialized if you want him to be a companionable dog.

Diet:

Dogs need to be fed according to the size, their age and their lifestyle. If your MacKenzie River Husky is an active working dog, his food must be the very best and contain enough calories to cover the daily caloric expenses.

Quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals in the food is most important for a dog like this. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and not made up of fillers, and other bad stuff. Read the label and understand exactly what’s going into your dog’s stomach.

Simplicity with feeding is best for your pet. Treat him occasionally to cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables which can be added into his dry kibble. A dog like this will require some raw meat as well to ensure his coat and eyes are always shiny and bright.

Grooming:

Grooming of the MacKenzie River Husky must be done at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.

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. Mackenzie River Husky vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Mackenzie River Husky vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Mackenzie River Husky vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Mackenzie River Husky vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Mackenzie River Husky vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mackenzie River Husky vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Mackenzie River Husky vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Mackenzie River Husky vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Mackenzie River Husky vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Mackenzie River Husky vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Mackenzie River Husky vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mackenzie River Husky vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mackenzie River Husky vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Mackenzie River Husky vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Mackenzie River Husky vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Mackenzie River Husky vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Mackenzie River Husky vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Mackenzie River Husky vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Mackenzie River Husky vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Mackenzie River Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Mackenzie River Husky vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mackenzie River Husky vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Mackenzie River Husky vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison