Indeed, Sir

The two I had were the gentlest creatures on Earth. As with any breed (any species, for that matter) there are a few that get in the way or are disobedient but from my experience they were very loyal and VERY good with kids. They do get very big, as you know, so if you're short on space I'd recommend a femal over a male-they're not quite as colossal. To learn, it depends on how young you get them (again, same with all breeds) but I felt they were quicker to learn familiarity (who's head of the pack, who's alpha female, where they are and who is family, who is enemy) a little better than, say "tricks". They're good with bathroom training and they are EXCELLENT guard dogs once they have that sense of familiarity. (We did have one catch a burglar and hold him until our family got back, holding a TV over his head petrified in a very Bertie Wooster-esque manner. Very funny.)

*cough* So there's my rant on Irish Wolfhounds. Can you tell I'm passionate?