Stephanie hiking in the Reno, Nevada mountains with one of her Irish Wolfhounds

At Westover Wolf Hounds, we’re passionate about sharing the joys and realities of life with these majestic giants. Irish Wolfhounds are more than just dogs—they’re gentle companions with a storied history as sighthounds bred for hunting wolves. But their impressive size and unique physiology mean they’re not your average trail buddy. In our latest video on The Trail Pack YouTube channel, titled “First Hike of Spring 2026: Hunter Creek Trail,” we take you along on an adventure with one of our young female Irish Wolfhounds, accompanied by two of our goats. This outing highlights how hiking with Wolfhounds can be rewarding, but it requires careful planning and respect for their needs. Watch the video below to see the hike in action—it’s a great visual companion to this guide.

While the video captures the fun and beauty of the trail, it doesn’t show all the behind-the-scenes preparations that made it possible. Irish Wolfhounds are very large dogs, often standing over 30 inches at the shoulder and weighing 120-180 pounds or more. Their deep chests, long legs, and rapid growth can make them prone to joint issues, overheating, and fatigue on uneven terrain. They’re not always the best suited for hiking, especially compared to more agile breeds like Border Collies or Labs. Yet these gentle giants can be exceptional hiking companions when adventures are customized to their physiology, sensitivity, and individual needs. Our recent video of one of our females confidently navigating a scenic trail showcases this potential—but several key details provide important context about training, safety, and our minimalist approach.

No Harness, Just a Collar – Built on Rigorous, Positive Training

In the video, our female Irish Wolfhound moves freely wearing only a collar—no harness attached. This reflects years of dedicated, positive-reinforcement-based training focused on rock-solid recall and zero pulling on leash. Irish Wolfhounds are sensitive souls; they respond best to calm, consistent leadership, short sessions, and high-value rewards (praise, treats, play) rather than force or corrections, which can cause them to shut down. We prioritize early leash manners and recall games in safe, controlled environments, gradually increasing distractions. The result is a hound who walks loosely at heel, returns instantly on command, and thrives off-leash where safe—without added gear that might encourage pulling or discomfort.

Safety and courtesy remain non-negotiable. When other hikers and dogs approached, we leashed her immediately, allowing smooth, stress-free passing for everyone.

Rocky Terrain? Conditioned and Prepared – With Booties Always Ready

The trail features rocky stretches that demand sure-footedness. Our hounds are well-accustomed to this: our property includes similar rough ground, so they’ve built paw resilience through gradual, positive exposure from puppyhood. We carry dog booties in every pack as a precaution—at any hint of soreness, they’re on in seconds to protect those large, vulnerable paws.

No Packs on the Hounds – Intentional Minimalism for Giant Breed Health

Noticeably, our Wolfhounds carry nothing—no dog packs or saddlebags. This is deliberate. Even though well-conditioned dogs of many breeds can safely carry 10-15% of body weight (sometimes up to 20-25% for experienced athletes), we avoid adding any load to Irish Wolfhounds. Their massive size (often 120-180+ pounds), heavy bone, and rapid early growth already place significant stress on joints, heart, and skeleton. Extra weight risks exacerbating issues like osteochondrosis or bloat predisposition. We keep it light: humans carry the gear, and the hounds focus on enjoyment and natural movement.

Interestingly, one of our goats in the video wears a light training pack (actually a repurposed dog pack for minimalism). This is part of gradual conditioning to prepare select goats for future longer backpacking trips—starting small to build strength without strain. The contrast highlights our tailored philosophy: equip what’s appropriate for each animal’s build and role.

Hiking for Every Hound – Customized by Size, Age, and Needs

Trail time isn’t limited to females—we take any of our Irish Wolfhounds, regardless of sex, size, or age. The key is adaptation. Our oldest male (~185 pounds, very thick/heavy bone) sticks to gentle nature walks for low-impact self-exercise. Larger males join more demanding trails but with frequent breaks, close fatigue monitoring, and a relaxed pace—safety trumps speed every time.

Our Training Philosophy in a Nutshell

We believe in positive, relationship-based training that respects the Irish Wolfhound’s gentle, sensitive nature. Key elements include:

• Short, fun sessions — Avoid fatigue; end on success.

• Reward-driven focus — High-value treats, enthusiastic praise, and play build eagerness.

• Early priorities — Master recall (life-saving for sighthounds who chase) and loose-leash walking (vital given their power).

• Calm consistency — No harsh corrections; we guide what we want rather than punish what we don’t.

• Gradual real-world proofing — Start controlled, add distractions slowly to create reliability in nature.

This approach yields confident, cooperative hounds who hike joyfully without gear burdens or behavioral risks.

Irish Wolfhounds may not sprint like smaller breeds, but with thoughtful planning, strong foundations, and unwavering commitment to their well-being, they become deeply rewarding outdoor partners. Whether striding collar-only on a trail, ambling on a peaceful walk, or simply sharing nature’s quiet, it’s about quality time—always with their safety and happiness first.