THE IRISH WOLFHOUND STANDARD (F.C.I.) IRISH WOLFHOUND

GENERAL APPREARANCE :

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. Of great size and commanding appearance, very muscular, strongly though gracefully built, movements easy and active; head and neck carried high; the tail carried with an upward sweep with a slight curve towards the extremity. Great size, including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body, is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly established a race that shall average 32 inches (81 cm) to 34 inches (86 cm) in dogs, showing the requisite power, activity, courage and symmetry.

BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT

‘Lambs at home, lions in the chase’

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEAD:

Long and level, carried high; the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between the eyes.

CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Not too broad
FACIAL REGION:
Muzzle: Long and moderately pointed.
Teeth: Scissor bite ideal, level acceptable.
Eyes: Dark
Ears: Small, rose ears
(Greyhound like in carriage).
NECK:
Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about the throat
BODY:
Long, well ribbed up.
Back: Rather long than short
Loins: Slightly arched
Croup: Great breadth across hips.
Chest: Very deep, moderately broad, breast wide.
Ribs: Well sprung.
Belly: Well drawn up.
TAIL: Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness, and well covered with hair.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
Shoulders: Muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping.
Elbows: Well under, neither turned inwards or outwards.
Forearm: Muscular.
Forelegs: Heavily boned, quite straight
HINDQUARTERS:
Thighs: Long and muscular.
Stifle: Nicely bent
Second thigh: Well muscled, long and strong
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.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
Movements easy and active.
COAT
HAIR: Rough and hard on body, legs and head; especially wiry over eyes and under jaw.
COLOUR & MARKINGS
The recognised colour are grey, brindle, red, black, pure, white, fawn or any colour that appears in the Deerhound.
Size: (HEIGHT & WEIGHT)
Desired height: averaging 32 inches (81 cm) to 34 inches (86 cm) in dogs.
Minimum height: Dogs: 31 inches (79 cm)
Minimum weight: 120 pounds (54,5 kg)
Minimum height: Bitches 28 inches (71 cm)
Minimum weight: Bitches 90 pounds (40,5 kg).
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.
Too light or too heavy a head.
Too highly arched frontal bone.
Cooked forelegs; weak pasterns.
Weak hindquarters and a general want of muscle
Too short in body.
Back sunken or hollow or quite straight.
Large ears hanging flat to the face.
Twisted feet.
Spreading toes.
Short neck; full dewlap.
Chest too narrow or too broad.
Tail excessively curly.
Nose of any colour other than black.
Lips of any colour other than black.
Very light eyes. Pink or liver coloured eyelids.

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

LIST OF POINTS IN ORDER OF MERIT

1. TYPICAL: 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. 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.
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, with Greyhound-like carriage (rosed).
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 point in order of merit. If in any case they appear at variance with the Standard of Excellence it is the latter which is correct.