Irish Wolfhound Club of Northern Ireland

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
Kennel Club Breed Standard
   
GENERAL APPEARANCE Of great size, strength, symmetry and commanding appearance, very muscular, yet gracefully built.
   
CHARACTERISTICS Of great power, activity, speed and courage
   
TEMPERAMENT Gentle, kind and friendly nature
   
HEAD AND SKULL Head long, carried high, the frontal bones of forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between eyes. Skull not too broad. Muzzle long and moderately pointed. Nose and lips black.
   
EYES Dark. Elliptical (regular oval) and full. Eyelids black.
   
EARS Small, rose shaped, of fine velvet texture. Preferably dark in colour, not hanging close to face.
   
MOUTH Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated but not desirable.
   
NECK Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about the throat.
   
FOREQUARTERS Shoulders muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under, turned neither in nor out. Leg and forearm muscular, and whole leg strong and straight.
   
BODY Chest very deep. Breast wide. Back, long rather than short. Loins arched. Belly well drawn up.
   
HINDQUARTERS Muscular thighs and second thighs long and strong, good bend of stifle with hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.
   
FEET Moderately large and round, turned neither in nor out. Toes well arched and closed. Nails very strong and curved.
   
TAIL Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness and well covered with hair, carried low with an upward sweep towards the extremity.
   
GAIT/MOVEMENT Easy and active.
   
COAT Rough and harsh on body, legs and head; especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.
   
COLOUR Recognised colours are grey, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn, wheaten and steel grey.
   
SIZE Minimum height for dogs 79 cm (31 ins.), bitches 71 cm (28 ins). Ideal weight 54.5 kg (120 lbs.) for dogs, 40.9 kg (90 lbs.) for bitches. Great size, including height of shoulder and proportionate length of body is to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a breed that shall average from 81-86 cm (32-34 ins) in dogs.
   
FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
   
NOTE Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
   
   
The following are the Points of Merit developed by the early breeders. If they contradict the previous KC Breed Standard, the Standard is correct:
   
1. Typically the Irish Wolfhound should not be quite so heavy or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the Deerhound, which in general type he should otherwise resemble.
   
2. Great size and commanding appearance.
   
3. Movement 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 slightly bent.
   
7. Coat rough and hard, specially wiry and long over the eyes and under the jaw.
   
8. Body long well ribbed up, with ribs well sprung and great breadth across the hips.
   
9. Loins arched belly well drawn up.
   
10. Ears small and greyhound-like in 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.