Irish Wolfhound Breed Standard

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Irish Wolfhound

The Kennel Club Picture Library - © David Dalton

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. upper teeth closely overlapping 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 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 cms (31 ins), bitches: 71 cms (28 ins). Minimum weight: 54.5 kgs (120 lbs) for dogs, 40.9 kgs (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 cms (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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

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

Last Updated - March 1994

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop. 

Breed Standards

Kennel Club Breed Standards

Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve.

The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.
 Illustrated Breed Standards

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards

Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts.

This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

 
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