Are Irish wolfhounds dangerous?

The Irish wolfhound. Photo: NZ Herald
The Irish wolfhound. Photo: NZ Herald

Just how dangerous are Irish wolfhounds?

Far from it, if the giant canine's history in New Zealand is anything to go by.

Of all the district and city councils contacted by the New Zealand Herald so far today, following the attack of a woman by three Irish wolfhounds in Dunedin, none had an Irish wolfhound on their list of menacing dogs.

For one, they are not one of the five banned breeds that cannot be imported into New Zealand.

Those breeds are: American pit bull terrier, dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff), Brazilian fila (Brazilian Mastiff), Japanese Tosa and perro de presa canario (Canary Mastiff).

Most councils had a very limited history of Irish wolfhounds ever appearing on their records.

A spokesman for the Dunedin City Council said Irish wolfhounds are not classified as dangerous or menacing dogs in Dunedin, as well as nationally.

A spokeswoman for Whangarei District Council said it did not have any Irish wolfhounds on the dangerous or menacing dogs list and the last time Whangarei had an Irish wolfhound in the pound was about 11 years ago.

"They are not a dog that we see very often at all," she said.

A dog can be declared menacing if a council thinks it may pose a threat to any person, stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife.

This would have to be because of any observed or reported behaviour of the dog, or any characteristics typically associated with the dog's breed or type.

These menacing dogs are required to be muzzled in public and the council could require them to be neutered.

Kelvin Powell, City Safe Unit manager for Hamilton City Council, said there were no Irish wolfhounds registered in Hamilton.

"We have gone through all our records and there have only been 41 Irish wolfhounds ever registered in Hamilton and none of them had a history of aggressive behaviour," he said.

"We only ban dogs because of the behaviour of an individual dog, not by breed [other than the five banned breeds under the Act]."

Christchurch City Council also confirmed that it had not placed a menacing-dog-breed ban on Irish wolfhounds, and while there were six Irish wolfhounds registered in Tauranga, none of them were classified menacing.

Other breeds or types of dogs can be added to the banned five, according to the Dog Control Amendment Act 2003, but only after an Order in Council is agreed by Parliament.

Before recommending such an Order, the Minister of Local Government is required to consult with local government, animal welfare organisations, dog clubs and veterinary practices, as appropriate.

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