The
Irish Wolfhound is an Irish breed of large sighthound and one of the largest of all breeds of dog. The modern breed was developed in the late 19th century by G.A. Graham, whose aim was to recreate the extinct Irish wolfhounds of Ireland. Classified by recent genetic research into the
Sighthound United Kingdom Rural Clade, the breed is used by coursing hunters who have prized it for its ability to dispatch game caught by other, swifter sighthounds. In 1902, the Irish Wolfhound was declared the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards.