Celtic Hounds, also known as Greyhounds in Europe during the 17th-18th centuries was an ancient Irish sighthound that is now extinct. They were large, powerful sighthounds that served both as soldiers’ battle partners and to hunt big and small animals.

Celtic Hounds were short-coated dogs with long legs and medium-sized ears. They also had a short, short coat. They also had dark spots and a slim, long body.

Origin & History

Celtic Hounds were first seen in Gaelic Ireland around the 17th century, according to Irish legends. After the Celtic tribes began using them as hunting dogs, they became very popular. The Celtic soldiers began to breed them later as war canines.

Celtic Hound are found in the Celtic jewelry designs and ancient paintings - Remembering the Celtic Hounds: A Dog Breed Information Guide
Celtic Hounds are often found on ancient Celtic paintings and jewelry.

Celtic art and jewellery from the 1600s shows the Celtic Hounds. During war, the Celtic Hounds helped their soldiers to drag and carry them. They also made excellent hunting and watchdog allies due to their hunting instinct.

What caused the Celtic Hounds to become extinct?

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, Celtic Hounds went extinct. Lack of conservation measures led to their extinction. A large number of these dogs died during wars as they were often used.

Early 2000s saw the introduction of new hunting breeds into Europe by hunters. After that, the Celtic Hounds no longer were used much in Ireland. This led to the demise of the breed, and people didn’t care about preserving it. The breed vanished into myths and now exists only as legends.

Temperament and behavior are all part of personality

Celtic Hounds are calm and gentle breeds that love affection. They were shy and reserved around strangers but once they became friends, they were friendly and playful.

Celtic Hounds were kind gentle and affectionate dogs - Remembering the Celtic Hounds: A Dog Breed Information Guide
Celtic Hounds is a breed of gentle, affectionate, and kind dogs.
PC: Shioban O’Shea

Celtic Hounds were known for their gentle and tolerant behavior. They would lay down if they were bored of being with their owner, rather than scratching or growling. They were trained to be war dogs and hunting canines, so they had a high level of discipline.

Are Celtic Hounds child-friendly?

Celtic Hounds love children and are very friendly. They would also adapt quickly to children, even if they were not raised together. They were a great choice for kids because of their kind temperament and even-tempered disposition.

The Facts

  • Although the Celtic Hound breed is extinct, it’s often called the Greyhound.
  • This breed is thought to be an ancestor to the Scottish Deerhound (also known as the Scottish Deerhound), the Greyhound (also called the Irish Wolfhound), and the Scottish Deerhound.
  • Irish Mythology also believes that they protect and guide those lost souls on the other side or in Heaven.
A painting of a Celtic Hound chasing a hare - Remembering the Celtic Hounds: A Dog Breed Information Guide
The Celtic Hound is chasing the hare in this painting.

Colors

Celtic Hounds are found in these colors:

  • White
  • Black
  • Fawn
  • Brindle
  • Blue
  • Red

You can also Size

Height: Celtic Hounds stood tall between 68-76cm (27-30inches).

Weight: Weight: The Celtic Hound’s ideal weight ranges between 25-38 kilograms (55-83 lbs).

Puppies

In average, the mother Celtic Hound can give birth to four to twelve puppies in a single litter.

Celtic Hounds are similar dog breeds

  • Irish Wolfhound
  • Greyhound
  • Scottish Deerhound