Couch Potato Syndrome - yes, they DO take over the living room couch and spend about 90% of the household's waking time there.  (Then they move to your king-sized bed and push you out.)

Race Horse Fevers - they instinctively remember that they are sprinters when let outside on a cool day and are prone to sudden fits of gallopingitis.  It is nice to watch, but stay out of their direct paths, they don't turn very well.

They do best inside the house where they can be with their people and they DO NOT do well when left alone. If you want a yard dog, consider another breed.

They are NOT aggressive dogs and you shouldn't try to make them so. The dogs are naturally reserved with a regal bearing and the mere appearance of a dog this size is extremely frightening to most people.

Irish wolfhounds SHED a great deal. I pick up "Manny hair" daily from the corners of the rooms even though I brush him outside once a day. If you can't deal with the hair - don't get the dog.

Bathing is another matter which tries the patience. IWs are definitely NOT bathtub sized. I bathe Manny with a garden hose which is hooked to the washing machine lines. He gets a warm bath but I do it outside and, in the winter, it can be very uncomfortable for him. (Dogs only need to be bathed once or twice a year.)

Wolfhounds are very tall and can reach almost anything you can. Manny has stolen a steak off the grill, pancakes off the stove, and a sandwich left unattended on the kitchen counter. They must be taught that not everything is theirs for the taking.

Lastly but MOST IMPORTANTLY, never EVER leave a small child unattended with any dog ... especially one as large as this. Accidents DO happen and children get hurt. Manny has bowled over every child that has ever come into my house, he can't help it, he just wants to get close. And when he gets close, he rubs like a cat. He knocks ME over occasionally - just imagine what happens to toddlers!