for this breed includes an addendum (List of Points in Order
of Merit) which may not be included by the F.C.I.
OF ORIGIN: Ireland.
OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD:
Up to the end of the17th century, Irish Wolfhounds were
used for hunting wolves and deer in Ireland. They were also
used for hunting the wolves that infested large areas of
Europe before the forests were cleared.
FCI: Group 10 (sighthounds) Section 2 (rough-coated
sighthounds) Without working trial.
IRELAND: Hound Group.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY: We know the continental Celts
kept a greyhound probably descended from the greyhound first
depicted in Egyptian paintings. Like their continental cousins,
the Irish Celts were interested in breeding large hounds.
These large Irish hounds could have had smooth or rough
coats, but in later times, the rough coat predominated possibly
because of the Irish climate. The first written account
of these dogs was by a Roman Consul 391 A.D. but they were
already established in Ireland in the first century A.D.
when Setanta changed his name to Cu-Chulainn (the hound
of Culann). Mention is made of the Uisneach (1st century)
taking 150 hounds with them in their flight to Scotland.
Irish hounds undoubtedly formed the basis of the Scottish
Deerhound. Pairs of Irish hounds were prized as gifts by
the Royal houses of Europe, Scandinavia and elsewhere from
the Middle ages to the 17th century. They were sent to England,
Spain, France, Sweden, Denmark, Persia, India and Poland.
In the15th century each county in Ireland was required to
keep 24 wolfdogs to protect farmers' flocks from the ravages
of wolves. The Cromwellian prohibition (1652) on the export
of Wolfhounds helped preserve their number for a time but
the gradual disappearance of the wolf and continued demand
abroad reduced their numbers almost to the point of extinction
by the end of the 17th century. The revival of interest
in the breed accompanied the growth of Irish nationalism
in the late 19th century. The Irish Wolfhound became a living
symbol of Irish culture and of the Celtic past. At this
time, one determined enthusiast, Capt. G A Graham, set about
obtaining some of the few remaining hounds of the Wolfhound
type that could still be found in Ireland, and with the
use of Deerhound blood and the occasional outcross of Borzoi
and Great Dane, he eventually achieved a type of dog that
bred true in every generation. The results were ultimately
accepted as a legitimate revival of the breed. The Irish
Kennel Club scheduled a class for Irish Wolfhounds at their
show in April 1879, and a club was formed in 1885. The Irish
Wolfhound now enjoys once again something of the reputation
that it had in the Middle Ages. Wolfhounds are now owned
and bred in fairly large numbers outside of Ireland.
APPEARANCE: 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 establish a race (that shall average
32 inches (81cm) to 34 inches (86cm) in dogs) showing the
requisite power, activity, courage and symmetry.
AND TEMPERAMENT: "Lambs at home, lions in
HEAD: Long and level, carried high; 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.
Teeth: Scissor bite ideal, level acceptable.
Ears: Small Rose Ears (Greyhound like in carriage).
Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without
dewlap or loose skin about the throat.
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.
Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness, and well
covered with hair.
Shoulders: Muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping.
Elbows: Well under, neither turned inwards nor outwards.
Forearm: Muscular, heavily boned, quite straight.
Thighs: Long and muscular.
Stifle: Nicely bent.
Second thigh: Well muscled, long and strong.
Hocks: Well let down and turning neither in nor out.
Moderately large and round, neither turned inward
Toes: Well arched and closed.
Nails: Very strong and curved.
Movements easy and active.
HAIR: Rough and hard on body, legs and head; especially
wiry. Hair over eyes and beard especially wiry.
The recognised colours are grey, brindle, red, black, pure
white, fawn or any colour that appears in the Deerhound.
(Height & Weight)
Desired height: averaging 32 inches (81cm) to 34 inches
(86cm) in dogs.
Minimum height: Dogs 31 inches (79cm).
Minimum weight: Dogs 120 pounds (54.5kg).
Minimum height: Bitches 28 inches (71cm).
Minimum weight: Bitches 90 pounds (40.5 kg).
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.
· Crooked forelegs, weak pasterns.
· Weak hindquarters and a general want of muscle.
· Too short in body.
· Back sunken or hollow or quite straight.
· Large ears and hanging flat to the face.
· Twisted feet.
· Spreading toes.
· Short neck; full dewlap.
· Chest too narrow or too broad.
· Tail excessively curled.
· Nose of any colour other than black.
· Lips of any colour other than black.
· Very light eyes. Pink or liver coloured eyelids.
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles
fully descended into the scrotum.