Irish Wolfhound Standard of Excellence

General Appearance

Of great size and commanding appearance, the Irish Wolfhound is remarkable for combining power and swiftness with keen sight. The largest and tallest of the galloping hounds, he is, in general type, a rough-coated, Greyhound-like breed: very muscular, strong yet gracefully built, with movements that are easy and active. The head and neck are carried high, and the tail is carried with an upward sweep with a slight curve toward the extremity. The minimum height and weight for dogs should be 32 inches and 120 pounds; for bitches, 30 inches and 105 pounds. These requirements apply only to hounds over 18 months of age. Anything below this should be debarred from competition. Great size, including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body, is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a race that shall average from 32 to 34 inches in dogs, showing the requisite power, activity, courage and symmetry.

  • Long, the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between the eyes. Skull, not too broad. Muzzle, long and moderately pointed. Ears, small and Greyhound-like in carriage.

  • Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about the throat.

  • Very deep. Breast, wide.

  • Rather long than short. Loins arched.

  • Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness, and well covered with hair.

  • Well drawn up.

  • Shoulders, muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under, neither turned inward or outwards.

  • Forearm muscular, and the whole leg strong and quite straight.

  • Muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in the Greyhound, and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.

  • Moderately large and round, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Toes, well arched and closed. Nails, very strong and curved.

  • Rough and hard on body, legs, and head; especially wiry and long over eyes and underjaw.

  • The recognized colors are gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn, or any other color that appears in the Deerhound.

Faults

Too light or heavy a head; an excessively arched frontal bone; large ears hanging flat to the face; a short neck; a full dewlap; a chest that is too narrow or too broad; a sunken, hollow, or completely straight back; bent forelegs; over-bent fetlocks; twisted feet; spreading toes; an over curly a tail; weak hindquarters; and a general lack of muscle; too short in body. Lips or nose liver-colored or lacking pigmentation.

8. Body, long, well-ribbed up, with ribs well sprung, and great breadth across hips.
9. Loins arched, belly well drawn up.
10. Ears, small, with Greyhound like carriage.
11. Feet, moderately large and round; toes, close, well arched.
12. Neck, long, well arched and very strong.
13. Chest, very deep, moderately broad.
14. Shoulders, muscular, set sloping.
15. Tail, long and slightly curved.
16. Eyes, dark.

List of Points in Order of Merit

1. Typical. The Irish Wolfhound is a rough-coated Greyhound-like breed, the tallest of the coursing hounds and remarkable in combining power and swiftness.
2. Great size and commanding appearance.
3. Movements easy and active.
4. Head, long and level, carried high.
5. Forelegs, heavily boned, quite straight; elbows well set under.
6. Thighs long and muscular; second thighs, well muscled, stifles nicely bent.
7. Coat, rough and hard, especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.

 

Note: The above in no way alters the "Standard of Excellence," which must in all cases be rigidly adhered to; they simply give the various points in order of merit. If in any case they appear at variance with Standard of Excellence, it is the latter which is correct.

Approved September 12, 1950