Irish Wolfhound Appearance

Country of origin: Ireland.

Utilization: Up to the end of the17th century, Irish Wolfhounds were used for hunting wolves and deer in Ireland.

Classification FCI : Group 10 Sighthounds. Section 2 Rough-haired Sighthounds. Without working trial.

General Appearance Irish Wolfhound: dog is great size and has commanding appearance, very muscular, strongly and  gracefully body,  easy and active movements; head and neck carried high; the tail carried with an upward sweep with a slight curve towards the extremity. Height at the withers should be 81-86cm (32 - 34 inches).

Behavior/Temperament: “Lambs at home, lions in the chase”.

Body: elegant, strong, and muscular with well sprung ribs.

Movement: lighter, energetic.

Head: long, straight, carried high; the frontal bones of the forehead are slightly raised with slight indentation between the eyes.

Skull: not too wide.

Neck: quite long, strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or flabby skin under the throat.

Muzzle: long, moderately acuminate.

Eyes: dark.

Ears: small, have a form of "Rose".

Jaws and teeth: scissor bite, the upper row of teeth closely overlapping the lower.

Back: long, straight.

Loins: slightly arched.

Croup: a fairly wide across hips.

Chest: very deep, moderately broad.

Ribs: well sprung.

Belly: well drawn up.

Tail: long, medium thickness, slightly curved upward closer to the end; is densely covered with wool.

Forequarters: straight, strong, long. Shoulders are muscular and sloping. Elbows are directed backwards, turning neither in nor out.

Hindquarters: muscular, straight.

Hocks: well let down and turning neither in nor out.

Paws: large, round.

Fingers are tightly gathered into a ball.

The nails are strong, curved.

Coat on the body is rough, tough. On the head, the feet, beard and above the eyes is wiry.

Faults: any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault.

• Too light or too heavy a head. Too highly arched frontal bone.
• Crooked forelegs; weak pasterns.
• Weak hindquarters and a general want of muscle.
• Too short body.
• Back sunken or hollow or quite straight.
• Large ears which hanging close to the face.
• Twisted feet.
• Spreading toes.
• Short neck and/or full dewlap.
• Too narrow or too broad chest.
• Tail is excessively curled.
•  Nose of any color other than black.
• Lips of any color other than black.
• Very light eyes. If the eyelids pink or liver colors.

Disqualifying faults:

• Aggressive or overly shy dog.
• Any dog which shows physical of behavioural abnormalities must be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Color of Irish Wolfhound

They have a neutral and neoclassical color which includes:

• Gray
• Brindle
• Red
• Black
• Fawn
• Pure white