Temperament
If you fully understand the SIZE of this magnificent beast, then you should also understand that it IS a beast - with its own thoughts, its own agenda, and its own temper. No one should ever do anything to cause a hound of this size, strength, and speed to want to harm a human being.
In fact, it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the breeder and of the new owner to socialize these dogs at an early age so that they will not only tolerate human interaction, but relish it.
Wolfhounds do NOT do well when left alone. They are extremely pack oriented - so much so that there is little trouble between them when they meet for the first time. These animals were bred to live in the home with the family. A hound left alone in a yard can literally lose its sanity.
If the parents of a pup are not friendly, the prospective buyer should be forewarned - either the kennel or poor breeding is at fault. Agressive lines should be ruled out completely. These hounds are not meant to be aggressive and it takes a lot to make them so.
Some puppies are shy - just like some children are shy - but aggressive dogs should be given a wide berth along with their offspring. The aggression could be caused by poor handling, rather than poor breeding, but breeders like this should not be encouraged.