Irish Wolfhound Standard
The Standard of Excellence
for the Irish Wolfhound
for the Irish Wolfhound
Head -- 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.
Neck -- Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about the throat.
Chest -- Very deep. Breast, wide. Back -- Rather long than short. Loins arched.
Tail -- Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness, and well covered with hair.
Belly -- Well drawn up.
Forequarters -- Shoulder, muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Leg -- forearm muscular, and the whole leg strong and quite straight.
Hindquarters -- Muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in the Greyhound, and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.
Feet -- Moderately large and round, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Toes, well arched and closed. Nails, very strong and curved.
Hair -- Rough and hard on body, legs and head; especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.
Color and Markings -- The recognized colors are gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn, or any color that appears in the Deerhound.
Faults -- Too light or heavy a head, too highly arched frontal bone; large ears and hanging flat to the face; short neck; full dewlap; too narrow or too broad a chest; sunken or hollow or quite straight back; bent forelegs; overbent fetlocks; twisted feet; spreading toes; too curly a tail; weak hindquarters and a general want of muscle; too short in body; lips or nose liver-colored or lacking pigmentation.
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, specially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.
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, 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.
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 the Standard of Excellence, it is the latter which is correct.
Approved September 12, 1950