Hound group · Breed guide
Irish Wolfhound: weight, routine and daily dose
The Irish Wolfhound was bred for a job that no longer exists. The Royal Kennel Club explains that greyhound-type dogs, thought to have been brought to Ireland by Phoenician sailors, were crossed with Mastiffs to produce a dog of gigantic size with the speed and strength to see off the wolves that threatened livestock. By the end of the 18th century the wolf was extinct in Ireland, and after the Great Famine of the 1840s the breed became very rare.
A group of devotees led by Captain George Augustus Graham revived it, using outcrosses to the heavier type of Deerhound, the Great Dane and the Tibetan Mastiff. The RKC says the Wolfhound is reputed to be the tallest of the hound breeds and the biggest of all breeds, yet gentle and calm — truly a gentle giant — and suggests more than two hours of exercise a day. With that much exercise and that much dog, fitting meals around the walks becomes the centre of the daily routine.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 47.5–82 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 4 tablets/day
- One bottle lasts
- 30 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 4 weeks — a bottle lasts 30 days, so consider 2 per delivery
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Weight: 120 pounds (male), 105 pounds (female) … A male might stand nearly 3 feet at the shoulder and weigh up to 180 pounds. (The 120/105 lb figures are the AKC standard’s minimums; the RKC standard gives minimums only: 54.5 kgs for dogs, 40.9 kgs for bitches.)” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a Irish Wolfhound need?
A typical adult Irish Wolfhound weighs 47.5–82 kg, which sits entirely in the Over 40 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 4 tablets/day.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days | Every 4 weeks — a bottle lasts 30 days, so consider 2 per delivery |
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a Irish Wolfhound
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 tablets/day | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days | from £0.67 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for Irish Wolfhound owners
- The PDSA advises feeding several smaller meals rather than one big one, and feeding from the floor rather than from a raised bowl.
- With more than two hours of exercise a day, schedule the longest walks well away from meals.
- A Wolfhound sits in the top band of the feeding guide, so the daily tablet count is higher than for a smaller dog; crushing them into a portion of food saves time.
- Use walk-on scales at a vet practice to keep track of weight — the feeding guide follows the number on the scales.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
Irish Wolfhound: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a Irish Wolfhound have a day?
Typical adult Irish Wolfhounds weigh 47.5–82 kg, which is the Over 40 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 4 tablets/day. Always use your own dog’s current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a Irish Wolfhound?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 4 tablets/day one bottle lasts 30 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
How should I schedule walks and meals for an Irish Wolfhound?
Keep the longest walks well away from mealtimes and feed once your dog has settled. The PDSA advises avoiding exercise or travelling around meal times for large and giant dogs, and feeding several smaller meals rather than one big one. If your dog’s belly swells or they retch without bringing anything up, call your vet immediately.
Does a giant breed like the Irish Wolfhound need a different supplement routine?
The routine is the same — a daily amount, eaten directly or crushed into food — but the feeding guide is set by weight, so a giant dog takes more tablets than a small one. Crushing them into a meal is often easiest. If your dog is under veterinary supervision, consult your vet before starting any supplement.
Can every Irish Wolfhound have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your Irish Wolfhound is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Irish Wolfhound Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Irish Wolfhound | Breeds A to Z | The Kennel Club — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Irish Wolfhound | Breed Standards | The Kennel Club — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) — PDSA. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated