This adorable baby will grow up to be a big boy. A very big boy.

Bred for their tall stature, Irish Wolfhounds not only led soldiers into war, but were used in battle by the ancient Irish to knock soldiers off their horses and drag them to the ground where they could be slain more easily. This method also minimized damage to the horse, a valuable spoil of war.

Ancient Celtic tribes were a quarrelsome lot, and tended to favor war to settle differences among themselves and against foreigners.  The wolfhounds they employed routinely were wicked fast, immensely strong, and as grumpy as their owners. The dogs had a devastatingly effect in battles when almost all fighting was done hand to hand.  Considering that men were shorter in those days, one can imagine the asset of having a dog tall enough to be only marginally shorter than one’s enemy.  The wolfhounds were so effective that Fionn mac Cumhall, the great Irish chief, didn’t even use horses, but reportedly had two Irish Wolfhounds for every foot soldier. Fionn, himself, is said to have had over two hundred adult hounds.

Today’s Wolfhound is a “gentle giant,” but ancient Irish Wolfhounds, not so much. They were fierce protectors, and history tell us that they were so fierce that all castle guests had to be safely ensconced indoors before letting the dogs loose to protect the grounds at night.