Irish Wolfhound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison

Irish Wolfhound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed ComparisonIrish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland but Atlas Terrier is originated from United States. Irish Wolfhound may grow 58 cm / 23 inches higher than Atlas Terrier. Irish Wolfhound may weigh 48 kg / 106 pounds more than Atlas Terrier. Irish Wolfhound may live 7 years less than Atlas Terrier. Irish Wolfhound may have less litter size than Atlas Terrier. Both Irish Wolfhound and Atlas Terrier requires Moderate maintenance.

History

irish wolfhound - historyIt 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.

atlas terrier - historyThe Atlas Terrier is a rare dog. He was developed in the USA and is a blend of Jack Russell Terriers, Rat Terriers, Border Terriers and Patterdale Terriers. It was in 1990 that Lauren Wolfe developed a breed similar to the Jack Russell, but with a solid colour, and in fact she had two dogs that were solid red in colour. This was as a result of a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Border Terrier.

With the crossing of different terriers, the foundation for the Atlas Terrier was formed. Lauren Wolfe named the breed ‘Atlas Terrier’ because many terriers from various parts of the world were used to develop this specific breed. It was in 2001 that the Atlas Terrier Association was founded.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Ireland
United States
Height Male:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 10 Years
11 - 17 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 4
4 - 8
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
None
None
Colors Available:
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
Several - Brindle, Merle
Coat:
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Short and 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, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

A Feisty, Fun Breed

atlas terrier puppy - descriptionAtlas Terrier dogs are a small to medium sized dog but with a strong personality. With their two coat varieties – smooth and wire – and coming directly from the Jack Russell Terrier, this feisty dog suits those who want a low maintenance, fun breed who will join them on their walks or jogs. These dogs are brave and loyal and will double as a watch dog and family pet.The breed is accepted for registry and it is classified under the Terrier dog category.

Different Sizes

There are 3 sizes of Atlas Terrier – toy, miniature, and standard. The toy variety is 23 to 28 cm tall at the shoulder and weighs 2.7 to 5.4 kg. All three varieties are the same except for height and weight.

The Coat - Smooth or Wavy?

The coat of this dog is thick and may come in a variety of colours such as brindle or merle. The Atlas Terrier is also found in solid colours and sometimes you will find that they have white markings on the face, feet or chest. Most times the tail of the Atlas Terrier is docked, but if not, the tail curls over the back. The ears of the Atlas Terrier are V-shaped and they fold forward.

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.

atlas terrier dog - characteristicsAtlas Terriers most certainly have a bit of the Jack Russell in them and these dogs are social, outgoing, mischievous and affectionate. They’re just like your regular naughty child and having one of them in your home will mean energy and lots of fun and games.

This is a highly social breed and he won’t like to be left alone every day. Just like a human child, he will need to be stimulated to ward off boredom and to prevent him from becoming destructive.

Learning Abilities

The Atlas Terrier just loves games and if you’re ready for a game, he will be more than ready to take part. He is intelligent and will therefore responds well to training and socialization. When properly socialized, Atlas Terriers get along well with children, and because they’re not an aggressive breed, if they’re properly trained and socialized they will get along with other pets too. Atlas Terriers make excellent pets, but he is a strong willed dog and will require an owner who is firm, but fair.

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.

atlas terrier puppies - health problemsThe selective breeding program of Atlas Terriers has meant that this is a robust, spunky breed free of any major health concerns. While they are a low maintenance breed with longevity on their side, you still have to be a responsible pet owner and see that your Atlas Terrier puppy gets all those must have injections.

Vaccinating your Atlas Terrier Puppy

Tiny puppies are susceptible to infectious diseases and will have to be vaccinated against them from 8 weeks on and then also get an annual booster. The diseases to be vaccinated against include hepatitis, distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus, eptospirosis and parainfluenza. Vaccinations must be kept up to date and it is mandatory for your puppy to be vaccinated against rabies.

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.

atlas terrier dogs - caringAs a medium shedder, the Atlas Terrier will require some grooming. Grooming is easy and a brush twice a week with a rubber-bristled brush will remove those loose hairs and give his coat a sheen.

Feeding the Puppy

Always make sure you’re feeding your tiny puppy the right quantities of a food type. Always feed your puppy food which is appropriate to his age. Your 8 week old puppy will require 4 meals a day. A highly active breed such as the Atlas Terrier will require more protein for energy.

Speak to your veterinarian about the perfect diet for your puppy and about wet- or dry foods. There is the choice of feeding your puppy commercial dog food or your own home-prepared meals, but then you want to be sure that your puppy is getting the right balance of minerals and vitamins.

Once your Atlas Terrier is about a year of age, he can go onto one meal a day or a lighter meal in the morning and the evening. Remember to ensure that there is always clean, cool water available for your puppy.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Wolfhound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Wolfhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  3. Irish Wolfhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  4. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Newfoundland Dog vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  6. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Wolfhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Wolfhound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Wolfhound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Wolfhound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Wolfhound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Wolfhound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Wolfhound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Wolfhound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Wolfhound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Wolfhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Wolfhound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Wolfhound vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Wolfhound vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  23. American Pit Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Schnauzer vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Fox Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Bull and Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Bedlington Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Fox Terrier (Smooth) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Austrian Pinscher vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Lakeland Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Atlas Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Jagdterrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Blue Paul Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Indian Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Japanese Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Brazilian Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Old English Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Scoland Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Skye Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds